10
I didn’t expect Old Mr. Carter to visit, with Mrs. Carter beside him. I remembered talking to Patrick last night when he hesitated, evading my questions. I understood a bit more. I looked at the two elderly people across the sofa, fooling helpless and somewhat angry. Was this moral coercion? Regardless, during my time with the Carters, Old Mr. Carter and Mrs. Carter treated me well.
Patrick asked me about my future plans. After giving it some thought, I realized I didn’t have any. Life goes on, and the world spins, indifferent to anyone’s absence. My previous dissatisfaction has dissipated “Now, I just want to focus on living my life well.
I didn’t expect Old Mr. Carter to visit me in person, accompanied by Mrs. Carter. It reminded me of Patrick’s hesitant tone during our phone call last night, making the situation suddenly clear…
As I looked at the two elderly people seated across from me, I felt both helpless and a simmering anger. Was this emotional blackmail?
Regardless, during my time with the Carter family, Old Mr. Carter and Mrs. Carter treated me with kindness. Old Mr. Carter, in particular, went to great lengths to preserve my marriage with Ryan Carter, especially during the issues with Emma White. For a man as straightforward as him, it wasn’t easy.
“Grace, come back with Grandpa. I won’t force you to stay with him,” he said. “Tve watched you grow up, and I don’t know how long fill be around. Just keep me company” Regarding your situation, make your own decision based on your feelings.”
Hearing this made my eyes well up. Grandpa truly cared for me. He is over eighty now, and his health isn’t what it used to be. The issues. between Ryan and me shouldn’t involve others.
Mrs. Carter sighed, her gaze fixed on my flat belly, eyes glistening with tears. “Grace, are you managing alright on your own? Do you have enough money?” she asked, handing me a bank card. “Take this. If you don’t want to return, buy yourself something nice. Your health is the most important thing. Your parents haven’t been around much, and I’ve seen you grow up. Now, with you and Andrew like this, it’s partly my responsibility”
I declined their kind offer. As they were leaving, Mrs. Carter seemed to want to say more but held back.
Once in the car, she called her son. “She’s doing well now. Since you chose someone else, let her be; she said. “And the baby? Is it really…
gone?”
Ryan asked quietly, unsure of his own feelings during his last visit. He wanted to know how she was doing, but his words came out wrong. When he heard she really had the baby removed, panic set in. He didn’t know why he felt this way. After years together, he knew her well. She was tough on the outside but soft inside. No matter how harsh her words, it was just to vent and make him care more. He thought she was bluffing about the baby, but she was serious this time.
I wanted to avoid Ryan Carter but didn’t know where to go. He could find me anywhere. I knew the Carter family’s visit was his doing. I didn’t understand his motives–habit, or maybe a touch of reluctance? But it didn’t matter to me.
I spent an afternoon by the window, contemplating my next move. Before I was five, I was surrounded by nannies and bodyguards. After that,
*
Ryan Carter was always there. He’s been a significant part of my life. But so what? My life is long, and the past is behind me. Ryan Carter won’t
be in my future. That’s enough.
I moved out and booked a flight to Brooklyn. My mom was there, worried about me. She took me around town, introducing me to her boyfriend. He was elegant, completely different from my dad. He was considerate and never overstepped. Mr. Collins had been with my mom the longest. He proposed once, but she declined. They had a break–up but patched things up, and now they were doing well.
So
Seeing my mom’s radiant smile, I couldn’t help but smile too. Who needs love when life is full of beautiful scenery? Yet, why do people who shouldn’t appear keep showing up? A week in Brooklyn, and I ran into Ryan Carter again.
Anger rose within me as I recalled the past–his unexpected appearances, the Carter family’s visit. If I didn’t understand by now, I’d be a fool.
I looked at him and coldly asked, “What do you really want? Do I need to repeat myself?” “We’re divorced, Ryan Carter. Can you please stay out of my life?” “You’ve got what you wanted. The child is gone, and we’re divorced. You can bring Emma White home and have as many kids as your want.” “I don’t understand why you keep appearing before me.
I blocked him at the door and said a lot… about the past, about Emma White, about the three painful years, about the lost child. With each word, his face paled. By the end, I felt relieved. Ryan Carter’s face grew increasingly palle. His hand gripped the door frame tightly, veins bulging We stood there, staring at each other, his eyes filled with pleading and pain.
After a long moment, he finally said, “Tm sorry.” “I regret it, Grace.” “Forgive me, please.”
I bluntly responded, “No,” and closed the door, shutting out all sound.
His apology came too late. I no longer needed Ryan Carter. That love triangle consumed too much of my time. I had no courage to look back and would never return.
After that, Ryan Carter moved next door. Whenever I went out with Little Blossom, I would see him trailing behind. He didn’t speak or get too close. I pretended not to see him. Over time, the landlady and neighbors grew curious, asking about him. I answered honestly, “My cheating
ex–husband”
People gasped, and some advised me, “Your husband is handsome and rich. It’s normal for him to cheat. As long as he comes home, just turn a blind eye.” “Yeah, no big deal. Just have a kid and secure his assets. The other women can’t do anything.”
This world is laughable. The man makes mistakes, yet no one tells him to change. Instead, they advise women to endure silently
The landlady felt sorry for Ryan Carter and gave him a rent discount, telling him, “Don’t lose such a good wife. I can see she still cares for you. Otherwise, why hasnt she gone on any dates?”
The old lady was serious, even patting Ryan’s hand for emphasis, I shook my head, amused. Is it an age thing to imagine things?
Recently, my mom also hinted about reconciling with Ryan. I told her directly. “Im not a recycling center. I don’t take in trash“””
I didn’t want to move again–it was too tiring, and Little Blossom couldn’t handle it. But the gossip outside annoyed me. He seemed to know when I would leave. Every time I opened the door, I’d see him. Neighbors would smile knowingly at us.
Finally, I had enough, “Ryan Carter, you want my forgiveness? It was the first time I had spoken to him since he moved in. His eyes lit up with hope. “Yes, what will it take for you to forgive me? Just say it, and I’ll do it.
I knew he wasn’t bluffing. He could do many things. Ryan Carter, you’ve hurt me a lot. Why do you think a few words would make me forgive you?” His face turned pale and powerless. He wanted to speak but realized it was futile. He knew he was a jerk. Even if we didn’t mention the past, those memories haunted him every night, filling him with regret.
Ryan Carter left. He left overnight. Three days later, Patrick called, “Andrew’s in trouble. Do you want to see him, maybe for the last time?” After much thought, I booked a ticket back to Brooklyn. As I boarded, I received a text, then turned off my phone.
I admit, I’m not a good person. My upbringing taught me to wait if I couldn’t swallow something. Maybe things would change.
At the hospital, Ryan Carter’s condition had stabilized, but his legs were paralyzed. He’d be in a wheelchair for life. I consoled Mrs. Carter before entering his hospital room. Tubes surrounded him, and the ventilator beeped. The doctor said whether he’d wake up was up to fate.
I looked closely at his still handsome face. It stirred something in me, but it was too late. That day, I hadn’t done anything. I only said if Ryan returned the money spent on Emma White during those three years, I’d consider giving him a chance. I didn’t need money, and neither did Ryan. But Emma did. Her family was average, and though an only child, her parents didn’t give her much love.
<
Toffered Mrs. Carter some comforting words before heading into the hospital r
room.
Ryan Carter lay there, connected to multiple medical devices, with the ventilator’s rhythmic beeps echoing in the room. The doctor had mentioned that his waking up was a matter of fate.
I leaned closer to study his face; he was as handsome as ever, stirring familiar feelings within me. Yet, there was no turning back now.
That day’s conversation was straightforward. I hadn’t done much. I simply told Ryan to recover the money he’d spent on Emma White over those three years, and I might consider giving him another chance.
Money is not an issue for me, nor for Ryan Carter. But Emma? She came from an average family background. Though she was an only child, her parents hadn’t showered her with much affection. The money spent on her upbringing was meager. When she found an opportunity to cling to Ryan Carter like a sturdy tree, she wouldn’t easily let go.
Three years is neither short nor long, but Ryan had already spoiled her with a taste of luxury. It’s easy to adapt to extravagance, but difficult to return to simplicity.
During Ryan’s two months in Brooklyn, I secretly snapped photos of him working for me and sent them to her. A man who once treated her like a treasure. This stark contrast could drive anyone to desperate actions, especially when the man she loves reaches out, not for affection, but to demand money back–money she had long spent.
Testimated Ryan had spent around five billion dollars on her during those three years. In extreme situations, especially when desires go unfulfilled, people often make irreversible decisions. True to form, unable to obtain what she wanted, Emma’s impulsive nature led her to recklessly drive into him.
Leaving the hospital, I drove to a secluded warehouse. After Ryan’s accident, Emma was swiftly taken to the police station. But due to the romantic saga’that had captivated Brooklyn for three years, along with the Carter family’s focus on Ryan, no one gave her much attention. They assumed it was just another lovers‘ spat.
So, it was easy for me to bail her out. The leader was someone I recognized, one of my father’s associates. Upon seeing me, he approached immediately: “Miss Banks, she’s inside. How do you want to handle this?”
Inodded and approached a table filled with various props, picking up a peculiar “toy”
“Try everything, but make sure she’s still breathing when you hand her over to the police. Otherwise, do as you wish.”
“Understood.
I knew every corner and face in Brooklyn. But now, I had no reason to stay here.
I’ve always said I’m not a good person. Emma’s three years of provocation, Ryan’s favoritism, and the endless ridicule made me the laughingstock of high society. Not to mention the child I lost because of Emma’s taunts. I was hospitalized for three days, and Ryan never came
to see me.
That was when I first learned of her existence. Ryan had hidden it well. It took me a whole six months to uncover the truth. Before that, when I was in the dark, he could deceive me. After I found out, he was honest. I still remember that day returning home from the hospital
He sat on the sofa, holding the expensive jewelry he purchased at an auction. I could vaguely see it was engraved with the name “Wondrous”
He said, “I’ve fallen for someone else.”
“If you don’t
want to divorce, you can still remain Mrs. Carter
Then he added, “But don’t let me catch you doing anything against her
He left after that. From start to finish, he didn’t ask me a single thing. Didn’t ask why I hadn’t come home for three days, why I looked so pale, why I was so weak. At that time, his heart and eyes were all about Emma.
Emma was tortured beyond recognition and sent to the police station. With a word from the Carter family, her time inside wouldn’t be pleasant. She should be grateful to me. Thanks to me being a lesson from the past, the suffering she faces is minor compared to what t
endured
Treturned to Brooklyn and continued my life as usual. Perhaps I’d been away too long: Little Blossom seemed distant, refusing to snuggle up
- up. Realizing his legs were paralyzed, he remained calm, He only asked, “Where is she?”
Ryan Carter woke
Theard Ryan
Patrick hesitated, silent for a while.
“She’s gone.”
“News just came in from Emma White’s side; she’s dead”
Ryan didn’t speak again, his expression calm as he shut everyone out of the hospital room and smashed all the equipment. In the end, only the muffled sobs from outside the door could be heard,
I continued my outings for inspiration and occasionally thought about the empty house next door. Raising an eyebrow, I decided to move.
People can look back, but they shouldn’t retrace their steps.
