Chapter 8
When I entered the room, I remembered what Margaret had said to me earlier.
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She said, “Ethan hasn’t eaten for several days, trying to get his dad to accept you. I don’t know where he learned hunger strike.”
I asked Ethan, “Do you want pasta or oatmeal? You must be hungry after a few days, right?”
Ethan hugged me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder. He whispered, “It’s tough.”
I pulled his arms off and coaxed him, “Then, sit tight and wait for me to make something for you.”
But he tightened his hug. “I want to eat you first.”
After we were done, I peeked my head out from under the covers and asked the question that had been on my mind, “Ethan, you said you’ve liked me for a long time. What’s the story behind that?”
Ethan smiled and pulled out a notebook from the bedside table, urging me to open it.
I flipped through the notebook, puzzled until I found a laminated portrait sketch tucked inside.
Chapter 8
It was his portrait. I took another look, and it felt strangely familiar.
“Did I draw this?” I looked up at Ethan in surprise.
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He nodded, then flicked my forehead with his finger. “I knew you’d forget about it.”
Ethan went on, saying that five years ago, James had cut off all his financial support to stop him from starting his business.
He had just graduated from college, and his first job was handing out flyers on the street.
It was a windy day, and because of his mistake, the flyers were blown all over the place.
He was a mess, picking up the scattered flyers by himself.
Then, a college girl came out of a nearby café and helped him collect the flyers.
Before leaving, the girl handed him a portrait she had secretly sketched of him while sitting in the café.
It was the first warmth he had felt since starting on his
And that girl was me.
own.
I searched my memory, and I vaguely remembered something like that happening.
Chapter 8
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Back in college, I always carried sketch paper with me, drawing anything I found beautiful.
Ethan continued, saying that the next time he saw me, I was already with Samuel.
I looked at Ethan, feeling both touched and bitter.
“No wonder, after all these years, I’ve never seen you date anyone. You’ve been hiding it so well,” I said.
Ethan pulled me into his arms and said, “So, no matter what, don’t ever leave me.”
*****
After Lily caused a scene at the design exhibition, Samuel finally came to find me.
He had changed a lot in the time we hadn’t seen each other. He looked much more worn out, completely different from the confident person I remembered.
Samuel looked at me, full of hesitation and uncertainty.
I spoke first, “Mr. North, what’s up? What do you need from
me?”
Samuel said in a rough voice, “Selina, I’m sorry on Lily’s behalf. She went too far.”
I shook my head. “Let’s not tell.
Chapter 8
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Samuel said that not long ago, Lily had drugged his drink. Now, she was using her pregnancy as leverage to force him to marry her.
The pain on his face was real. I could tell that the once cherished “first love” had now become nothing but a devil in his heart.
He asked for my opinion. He said that if I was willing, he would throw everything away and run away with me. He’d even give up his family business.
I replied, “Mr. North, your problems have nothing to do with me.”
I turned and left without a second thought.
Belated love was worthless.
I had once loved Samuel with all my heart, but now, I had let go.
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