Chapter 9
“Kate, can you stop throwing a tantrum? Are you really going to ruin our eight years of
relationship so recklessly?” Ethan pleaded desperately.
I chuckled coldly. “Eight years of relationship? Or was it, as your friend said, just me being kept in the dark, treated as a substitute?” “Besides,” I continued, “Mr. Clark, let me ask you—who can testify to the so–called relationship we had?”
Ethan’s face turned completely pale. “Back then… you… you heard everything…? Kate, can explain all of this! It was my foolishness in the past, not understanding my own heart!” “But this time, when I heard you were
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marrying someone else, I finally realized that
the person who truly moved me has always been you from the very beginning!”
“It’s just that when I first met you, you were so young. I couldn’t be sure if what I felt for you was more than sibling–like affection…”
“Back then, Catherine appeared and she looked so much like you… I mistakenly thought she was the one I loved,” Ethan continued, his voice trembling.
“Later, when she went abroad, I didn’t try to stop her or chase after her. Then you grew up and joined our company as an intern and I felt that long–lost sense of excitement again…” I cut off his endless monologue.
“You’re saying all this, yet over the years, haven’t you been trying to mold me into
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being more like her? Ethan, can you truly
figure out who you really love and what you truly want?”
I sighed. “Lie to others if you want, but don’t end up lying to yourself!”
“I…” Ethan’s face contorted in pain. “That’s not true, Kate! I’ve truly figured out my feelings now. I left my wedding to come find you–doesn’t that prove that you’re the one I love?”
Facing Ethan’s outstretched hand, I merely stepped back and said, “The damage from the past has already been done. Even if you‘ ve figured it out now, I don’t want it anymore. Your love is too cheap. And besides, it was you who crushed our promises with your own
hands.”
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My words finally made Ethan recall the shattered music box pieces scattered on the ground all those years ago.
His face twisted in pain as he grabbed his hair, looking as though he wished he could travel back in time and beat himself up for his
foolishness.
“Just go,” I said. “After all, you’ve done everything you could to keep it hidden all these years. No one in Elmswood even knows we were ever in love. From now on, we’ll go our separate ways–bridge by bridge, road by road. Let’s leave it at that.”
I linked arms with Luke beside me and turned to head inside.
Behind me, Ethan‘ s anguished wail echoed. “No! I can prove it right now! I’ll tell the
AIG
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whole world that you are the only woman I’ve ever loved, the only one I want to marry in this lifetime! Kate… don’t go. Please, give me another chance!
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Ethan tried to rush toward me, but the bodyguards quickly formed a wall, blocking his path.
Suddenly, the screech of brakes rang out as a taxi came to an abrupt stop. Catherine jumped out of the car, rushing toward the
scene.
When Catherine saw Ethan‘ s out–of–control demeanor, her first instinct was to point at me and start shouting accusations.
“Kathleen, you’re truly something! Turns out you’re nothing but a cheap flirt who loves seducing people! Do you really think that with
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your seductive tricks, you can replace me in Ethan’s heart? Dream on! Ethan, come back with me! The whole of Elmswood is eagerly awaiting our wedding. You can’t do this to me!”
Before I could respond, Luke, standing beside me, frowned slightly. “Just now, from the conversation, I thought there might truly be a woman who could somewhat resemble my fiancee. Now that I look at it, your demeanor and words are so crude and unrefined, you’re not even one–tenth of what Kate is.‘
