Only then did I remember that I had promised Grandma to get along well with Lyle. However, it was clear from his actions that he had no plans on getting along with me. After an internal conflict, I grabbed my bag and followed behind him.
When I left the house, I saw an inconspicuous silver BMW parked on the opposite road. It was a small sedan that merely cost a few hundred thousand — something a rich heir would not be interested in. However, I recognized it as the car Christopher had bought a few days ago.
He had once said that it was a good decision for me to buy such a car since I liked to keep a low and mysterious profile. No one would harbor any thoughts or pay much attention to it. This way, he could send me to work and fetch me back. Others would only be envious that I had such a thoughtful boyfriend. They would not gossip about me behind my back.
I stood frozen to the spot momentarily but eventually got into Lyle’s Porsche. When the car door closed, I saw the windows of the opposite car roll down. I noticed Christopher pursing his lips coldly, his gaze sorrowful and dark.
I had a sudden urge to fling the car door open, rush over rapidly and jump into his embrace. Screw Lyle and his professed love! Why should I make life difficult for myself when a man was willing to cook for me and pamper me? Why should I disgrace myself like this?
However, Grandma’s old and lonely face surfaced within my mind, recalling my rationality back. Such an arrangement would only last for half a year. Anyway, Lyle would not treat me nicely. At the very most, he would only use me when it was convenient for him to do so.
When I returned to the apartment I had lived in for two years, I thought it would still be in a state of utter mess, just like how I left it the previous time. Surprisingly, all the decorations were back in their original place. Even the wedding picture I had torn to shreds had been remade.
This time, the picture was placed in the middle of the living room instead of the bedroom. I smirked mockingly. What’s the point of this? It’s just a photoshopped wedding picture! It’s fake. No one will be fooled by this.
“Crystal’s back… Why is it you?” Wendy walked out, holding a plate of fruits. Her smile immediately froze on her face when she saw me.
I crossed my arms. No longer wanting to maintain a courteous pretense with her, I said calmly, “I’m surprised too. Why am I back here?”
Wendy slammed the plate of fruits on the table forcefully, turned around, and asked her son, “Lyle, what are you doing? Why did you bring this little b*tch home? Didn’t I ask you to bring Crystal back?”
“Mom, stop talking. I just brought Eve back. If there’s anything, let’s talk about it in the future. Go back home first.”
“Are you chasing me away?” Wendy pointed at her face and widened her eyes in disbelief. Suddenly, she spun around and slapped me. “You little b*tch must have bewitched my son again. He dares to be fierce to me!”
I staggered a few steps backward, wishing for nothing more than to rush up and rip her face apart. Their family was so used to slapping people without providing any warning beforehand. With a hand on my cheek, I spat, “If possible, I don’t want to return anymore. If you want Crystal here, tell your son to bring the divorce contract over. I’ll sign it right away and agree to any conditions you raise.”
With that, I ignored whatever protests they had, headed to the bedroom, and locked the door behind me. I did not want to sleep in the same room as Lyle. Grabbing my phone, I debated over whether I should send a message to Christopher.
However, I had still come back with Lyle like a loser, so how could I have the audacity to message Christopher? Whenever I relented because of Lyle, he would feel exceptionally disappointed and hurt. I did not even know if he was truly in love with me.
However, I could sense that his feelings of hurt and sorrow were genuine. If even those emotions were fake, there was nothing else in this universe that could be genuine. Now that I had nothing, there was no point in scheming against me.
Finally, I made a decision and called Christopher. Surprisingly, no one picked up the call, even until after the ringing tone stopped. A feeling of disappointment and unease engulfed me, making me even sadder than when Lyle slapped me.
Walking to the window, I opened it and let the night breeze blow in, trying my best to suppress my anxiety and unease. I had lived here for two years, but now that I had returned, I did not feel at peace at all. There was only one thought in my mind—escape!
Escape as far away as possible!
