Chapter 4
Why was this happening?
I didn’t understand.
Just because Ayleen was frail, and I was her sister, did I have to endure this humiliation?
I didn’t say anything and turned to leave, but Greg firmly grabbed my wrist.
I didn’t turn back, feeling a deep ache in my heart.
Greg, you couldn’t keep pretending, right?
I struggled to free my wrist. When I looked up, I caught a fleeting glimpse of pity in Greg’s eyes.
I was momentarily stunned. Then I heard Greg’s firm voice declare, “Everly is my fiancée, and I’ll lick up the coffee on the floor for her.”
This shocked everyone there, including me.
Only Ayleen, her pitiful expression slightly stiffening, looked at me with a mix of greater jealousy
and hatred.
She couldn’t believe that Greg, who had always obeyed her, would stand up to defend Everly!
Greg took off his jacket, ready to kneel.
But Ayleen quickly shifted her demeanor, saying, “Greg, I was just joking. I wouldn’t make Everly
lick coffee from the floor. Everly’s face is badly injured. You should take her to the hospital right away. Otherwise, she might end up disfigured.”
Greg nodded, relieved, and took me away.
In the car, Greg touched my face, looking concerned.
“Everly, does it hurt? You’ve been through so much.”
I sneered internally.
He knew I endured all this suffering because of Ayleen.
I dodged his fingers and said calmly, “I can go to the hospital by myself. Please open the door.”
Greg frowned. “Everly, you don’t always have to act like you’re super tough, you know? It’s okay to let me help you out sometimes.”
I looked into his sincere eyes and felt a brief daze.
“Everly, let me take you to the hospital, okay?”
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I nodded.
Greg offered a gentle smile as he started the car. He looked over at me, his expression showing he was genuinely pleased to be the one I was relying on.
“Everly, I promise, I’ll always be the man you can count on anytime, anywhere.”
Before, hearing those words would have made me feel truly elated.
But now, things had changed.
Greg drove to the hospital, but his phone rang again.
I glanced at the screen. It was Ayleen.
I looked away.
Greg glanced at me and answered.
Maybe because I was there, his responses were short, mostly “uh–huh” and “okay.”
Sometimes, not knowing what was said, I saw Greg’s ears turn red.
The red was obvious.
A few minutes later, Greg hung up.
“Everly, there’s an urgent matter at the company. Can I get you a taxi?”
I scoffed. “No need. I’ll go to the company with you.”
Greg sighed and stopped the car.
“Everly, you’ve got a cut on your face right now. It’s really not a good idea for you to be seen around my company. Just do the right thing and leave for now.”
I stayed in the passenger seat.
Greg’s tone grew more stern, “Everly, I really have pressing matters to attend to. I hope you
understand. I’ll arrange a taxi for you.”
I felt my heart being torn apart by him.
Finally, I got out. As soon as I stood firm, Greg drove away without hesitation.
I watched the car disappear, my eyes blurred with tears, yet I felt an overwhelming sense of
liberation.
In Greg’s heart, the balance had always leaned in Ayleen’s favor.
I had been insignificant.
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This time, I really needed to let go.
Suddenly, my phone rang.
My friend from abroad called, saying she found a place for me to stay.
It was a nice duplex courtyard.
If Greg hadn’t left, he would have heard this call.
He would have known I was going abroad.
But there were no ifs. He had chosen Ayleen without hesitation.
He would never know, not before I had left.
