It’s time for me to finally prioritize myself, shed the burden of
others’ anticipations, and forge my own course.
I enrolled in an English course, hoping it would occupy my time
and aid in moving forward. Given the circumstances, I assumed Michael wouldn’t seek me out again. However, just seven days later, as I exited the class, I was astonished to see him waiting
outside.
He appeared visibly slimmer, and I couldn’t help but notice the brown neck warmer he wore. It was the same one I had hand–knitted for his birthday the previous year. In the past, I would spend half my earnings on presents like timepieces and waist belts, believing they were meaningful. But I eventually realized that these gifts, which seemed so significant to me, were often the least expensive items in his collection. So last year, I saved for a quarter of a year and devoted time to learning knitting, thinking a handmade scarf would demonstrate my affection. However, when I presented it to him, he barely acknowledged it and tossed it into his wardrobe corner. I longed for him to wear it, to value my effort, but he just frowned at my roughened hands and said, “You didn’t actually knit this yourself, did you? That seems so tedious for you, Emma.”
Those words were painful to hear. It felt as though my efforts
08:17 Mon, 3 F
went unappreciated, and I questioned whether he truly
comprehended how much he meant to me.
I swiftly tucked my hands into my sleeves, lowering my gaze as I
mumbled, “Of course not.”
Noticing where my eyes were focused, Michael raised the scarf
to display the white bird embroidery featuring his name.
“Emma, doesn’t it look nice?” he inquired, with a hint of
optimism in his voice.
I responded coldly, “I assumed you had discarded it long ago.”
I walked away, heading for my hotel.
Michael Anderson trailed behind me into the cramped entrance area, pausing before he spoke. “You’ve just lost a baby. Why are you staying here? I can provide financial assistance if needed…”
I interrupted him, feeling annoyed. “Don’t you remember? I terminated your baby, sabotaged Anderson’s product release, and caused problems for you and Sophia Rice.”
“Emma, I’ve considered everything. I’m to blame. You’re not responsible for any of this. Please return with me and say sorry to my parents. I swear you’ll be my one and only wife, and we can start a family again.”
His words nearly made me chuckle. I had just ended a
pregnancy, yet he still believed I wanted to be his wife?
longer want you.”
“I can’t go back and apologize with you,” I stated firmly. He clenched his jaw, his eyes welling up with emotion. He wanted to embrace me, but my icy stare kept him at bay. “Emma, you’ve never spoken to me like this before. You’re just
upset, aren’t you? Let me explain,” he begged.
As he talked, he retrieved a bundle of photographs from his
coat.
I disregarded him, busying myself with heating water for tea
and removing my cosmetics.
He persisted, continuing to speak. “This kissing picture was
Sophia Rice’s doing. She took a big chance, and it was a mistake. There were too many onlookers, and I couldn’t stand to see her exploited.”
“This one is from a rainy day when my clothes were drenched. At the hotel, a sudden storm frightened her, causing her to leap into my arms, so we held each other tightly…”
He kept on, showing me more pictures as if they would sway my decision.
The kettle’s contents went from scalding to frigid, yet he still had more tales to share.
His voice became quieter, strained with feeling, and I could
talking?”
He gripped the photo tightly, anguish evident in his eyes. “The arranged marriage between our families was never my desire. I fell for you, and when Sophia Rice expressed her feelings,
I rejected her. That angered her. When I left the country, everything went awry.”
“Emma, we have a debt to her from the past, but I promise I won’t let you face any unfairness from now on. You understand, don’t you?”
His statement caught me off guard.
I recalled my first encounter with Michael Anderson in college during a literature performance. My parents were strict with finances, and as a freshman, they cut off my allowance. Despite working every possible shift, I could barely afford food, let alone costume fees. Just when I felt hopeless, Michael Anderson offered me his performance attire, saying he didn’t want my situation to impact the entire class.
That was when I started to notice him. But Sophia Rice was
always nearby, so I kept my feelings hidden. I never imagined he
might have liked me back then.
Now a surge of conflicting emotions washed over me, leaving
