Chapter 9
It didn’t surprise me that he managed to find the hotel where I was staying. With the Jordan Family’s influence in Heltic, it was a simple task.
I had just returned from dinner when a strong force pulled me back. Keith’s face was flushed red with fury and his grip on my wrist tightened bit by bit. “Zoey, why did you sell your parent’s house? Where are you planning to go? Are you leaving me? Didn’t you always want to marry me? We can get married tomorrow!”
He held the household registration book against his chest and thrust it in my face, trying to convince me. However, I only smiled faintly. “Keith, I’m not going to marry you–not tomorrow, not ever.”
“I’ve said it so many times–I don’t like you anymore!”
“Why don’t you like me anymore? Is it
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because of what I said that rainy day?”
I sighed. Maybe that was part of it, but those words were just the spark. Keith and I live in two completely different worlds. For six years, I chased after him, but now I’m tired and worn out. I’ve finally learned to love myself instead.
Seeing my silence, Keith hurried to
explain. “Zoey, you know those were just drunken words, nothing serious. Don’t you know how I’ve treated you these past six years? If it was only out of gratitude, I could have just given you money to repay you. Why would I get engaged to you?”
I laughed sarcastically. “Exactly. Why? Because you confessed to Sadie and got rejected, so you picked a random girl to experiment with. I was just the test subject, wasn’t I?”
Panic flashed across his eyes as he grabbed my hand even tighter. “No, it’s not like that! Yes, I admit, I didn’t have strong feelings
for you when we got engaged, but later, I
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realized I couldn’t live without you. I was too proud to admit it. I thought I’d like someone mature and sophisticated like Sadie, but even when I was with her, all I could think about was you!”
“You have no idea how I survived those two months you disappeared. I was going crazy. But as soon as I saw you again, I couldn’t stop myself from scolding you. As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Zoey, I love you. You’re the only one I love!”
I forcefully shook off Keith’s hold and scoffed. “Keith, you don’t love me. You love the version of me that chased after you, endured all the hurt and still greeted you with a smile. You thought I’d always belong to you, so you used me as a stepping stone for your other relationships. When you found out this ‘test subject‘ was too compliant and boring, you wanted to try something new. Keith, that’s not love!”
“I used to think I couldn’t live without you, but now I see that’s not true. When love is
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realized I couldn’t live without you. I was too proud to admit it. I thought I’d like someone mature and sophisticated like Sadie, but even when I was with her, all I could think about was you!”
“You have no idea how I survived those two months you disappeared. I was going crazy. But as soon as I saw you again, I couldn’t stop myself from scolding you. As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Zoey, I love you. You’re the only one I love!”
I forcefully shook off Keith’s hold and scoffed. “Keith, you don’t love me. You love the version of me that chased after you, endured all the hurt and still greeted you with a smile. You thought I’d always belong to you, so you used me as a stepping stone for your other relationships. When you found out this ‘test subject‘ was too compliant and boring, you wanted to try something new. Keith, that’s not love!”
“I used to think I couldn’t live without you, but now I see that’s not true. When love is
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gone, it’s gone. Obsessive clinging is nothing but irritating. Our relationship
started because of a favor and after six
years, I’ve repaid it in full. Let’s end this here.”
Late that night, I got a call from Keith’s assistant. “Miss Sherman, Mr. Jordan drank so much he caused a gastric hemorrhage. He’s in the hospital now, refusing surgery unless he sees you. Can you come over?”
“I’m sorry, but I need to sleep.” I hung up and called Keith’s mother instead. A grown man who can’t take responsibility for his health–how childish and pathetic.
That night, I slept soundly, undisturbed by memories of the past.
When I woke up, I started packing my things. I had almost finished everything that needed to be done here and my flight was booked for three days later.
I visited Elizabeth one last time. She was a wonderful elder and held my hand, saying
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so many kind words while scolding Keith for being useless and losing such a good granddaughter–in–law. I listened quietly and just smiled.
Before I left, she insisted on giving me her private assets, but I refused. “Grandma, don’t you believe that I’ll become an excellent fashion designer one day?”
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