Chapter 9
My expression turned cold. “So, you still remember, huh? Yet, what did you do? You abandoned me and went to register your marriage with Baron. You brought him home and let him live there, saying you wanted to give him the warmth of a family. Is that your so–called love for me?”
“I…” Clarice’s face turned pale and she couldn’t say a word.
I continued, “Clarice, I loved you for six years, but I never once entered your heart. Ever since you started funding Baron, you’ve hurt me over and over again. Am I wrong?”
“It’s my fault, all my fault.” Clarice’s tears fell continuously as she kept saying, “I’m sorry.” “There is no need to apologize,” I said. “Just don’t bother me anymore. That fifteen thousand dollars‘ compensation that we had agreed on, ‘pay it up… not a cent less.”
Clarice cried out, “Daniel, do you really have to be so heartless? Can’t you give me another chance?”
I looked straight into her eyes, “I had given you many chances, but who gave me one? You? You’re the one who pushed me away. I never wronged you.”
After she heard that, Clarice looked like she’d been struck by lightning and collapsed to the floor in despair.
The next day, Clarice brought the fifteen thousand dollars in compensation. As I reached out to take it, she gripped it tightly and pleaded, “Can’t you really give me another chance?”
Before I could respond, Abigail, who held my arm, said coldly, “If I were you, Clarice, I wouldn‘ even have the face to say that.”
“What do you know? I was deceived too. I’m a victim as well,” Clarice yelled at Abigail. “Yes, registered my marriage with Baron, but I never did anything to betray Daniel. I’m innocent.”
Abigail sneered, “Sure… maybe your body is innocent, but what about your heart? From the moment you agreed to marry Baron, you already betrayed Daniel. I really don’t know where you get the nerve to ask for forgiveness.”
Clarice was both furious and ashamed, her face turned bright red.
I tugged on Abigail’s arm and signaled her to stop. Then I reached out and took the fifteer thousand dollars from Clarice’s hand. I said calmly, “You can go now. What’s past is past. In longer blame you, hate you… or love you.”
At those words, Clarice’s tears fell instantly as she turned and ran off, covering her face.
I let out a deep breath. It’s over!
A week later, Abigail and I held our wedding reception. Clarice came. Compared to a week ago she looked even more haggard. Her face was dull, her skin had lost its glow and fine wrinkles had appeared at the corners of her eyes.
When Abigail and I toasted her, she raised her glass and forced a smile. “Congratulations, I wish you a happy marriage and a child soon.”
“Thank you,” I replied.
I clinked my glass with hers. Clarice tilted her head back and downed her drink in one go, she coughed violently afterward. She looked up at me with hope in her eyes.
Chanter O
100 0
7:55 pm DXDD
I didn’t say a word. I just gave her a slight nod and walked away with Abigail. Behind me, I heard her begin to cry.
That night, I received a message from Clarice.
[I’ve decided to leave this city, but I won’t forget you. These six years I spent with you will always live in my heart. I’ll remember that there was once a man who loved me very much and yet I pushed him away with my own hands. Maybe I’ll get married and have children, but this memory will never fade.]
After I read it, I remained silent for a long time, then walked to the window.
The moon hung high in the sky and countless stars twinkled in the night.
Tomorrow would be a beautiful day.
(The End)
