Chapter 139 Men Are Ridiculous
Finished
“Why don’t you just divorce him? If it’s about money, I can help you earn after you’re single. Ethan’s voice dropped lower, steady and firm. His gaze locked onto mine, more intense than before. “Don’t worry about being broke. I’ll take on more work if I have to.
Before I could pull my hand away, he stopped covering it and instead held it tightly in his own. He curled my fingers into his palm and said sofily. “My feelings for you are complicated. But I’m sure of one thing, through all these years, the one who kept me going was you
“What?” I blinked, stunned. It was the first time I’d ever heard someone say they saw me as their reason to keep going
or to ease
“Don’t give me the credit. You’re the one who’s been holding it all together for so long.” I said in a hushed tone, hoping his guilt.
“No.” Ethan’s eyes grew misty, the rims turning red. He shook his head gently. “When my dad’s business collapsed and he ended his life, my mom got remarried and left for Sylonica. Only Grandma and I were left. I thought I wouldn’t survive it. I planned to follow her once she passed. But it was you, Tiffany. The memory of you pushed me to keep going. You helped me without hesitation. Eight hundred thousand dollar–that’s no small number. Five years ago, who else would have given a stranger that much? I knew I had to return the favor someday.”
Hearing him open up like that made my chest ache. I couldn’t imagine how he got through those years, completely alone. The pain must’ve been unbearable.
“All right now, don’t cry. Things are better now, aren’t they? Look at how far you’ve come.” I tried to soothe him, watching this strong man quietly wipe his eyes.
He seemed to realize he was letting his guard down and quickly straightened up. “Sorry. It’s been a long time since I let myself cry.”
“That’s all right. Letting it out helps,” I said with a small smile.
Ethan gave me a dazed look, brushing away his tears. “You’re so kind. I really don’t get why Shawn couldn’t see your worth.”
“Guess he’s blind,” I replied with a smirk.
Ethan chuckled despite himself, tears still fresh but a smile forming “Then you should be with someone who can truly see you.”
“We’ll see. Maybe marriage isn’t what I thought it would be. Or maybe I’m just not good at handling it. Some people grow old together and make it look easy. But not everyone’s path is the same. I’ve learned not to force it,” I said with a soft smile on my lips.
Ethan seemed a little unsure after hearing that. He slowly let go of my hand and asked gently, “Even if people mess up sometimes, can you still believe in love?”
His gaze was honest and full of hope. I met his eyes, nodded, and gave him a quiet, reassuring look.
Gazing at the peaceful ‘night beyond the glass, my mind drifted to the two updates Queena had shared not long ago. A thought came to me. Maybe I should post something too. Life deserves to be lived with a bit of warmth and enthusiasm.
I took out my phone and took a quick snapshot of the lush plants glowing gently under the faint light, tiny fireflies dancing around. I typed a simple caption, “Everything’s growing, and we should be wiser, too.”
Right after I uploaded it on my social media, my screen lit up with a call from Shawn.
But I was on the road, heading back home, so I let the call ring out without picking up.
Once I arrived back at the house, Shawn tried reaching me three times. I saw his name flash on the screen again and again but I chose not to pick up.
Chapter 139 Men Are Ridiculous
Sometimes, when you’re at a loss for words, you just laugh..
I told her, “No need to pick up. I’ll return the call myself.”
Finished
Even though I said that, Mona, being the warm–hearted soul she was, still answered. She let Shawn know I was safe at home and promised he’d hear from me soon.
I went upstairs, settled onto the sofa in front of the tall window, and pulled out my phone to return Shawn’s call.
“Why didn’t you pick up? What were you doing?” His voice came through, sharp and annoyed.
1 replied lightly, “What’s the matter? You sound irritated.”
“Is your phone just decoration? You didn’t see my call?” He was clearly annoyed that I hadn’t responded right away. He took it personally.
“I was driving. It’s not safe to answer while driving.” I stayed calm and kept my tone even.
He still sounded grumpy, but didn’t argue. Instead, he asked, “Who were you out with tonight?”
That caught me off guard. Since when did Shawn care about what I was doing? Then it hit me–it’s only because I rarely go out. He knows I hardly socialize. My only close contact is Melanie. Every time I step out, I let him know, but he always replies in a cold, distant way. I still have those old texts, calls that end in under 60 seconds, answers no longer than a word or two, “sure” or “whatever.
It’s unusual for him to question where I’ve been, especially with that kind of temper.
In the end, men
are in
just ridiculous.
When I was excited and full of life, he acted distant and uninterested.
Now that I’ve stopped caring, he suddenly can’t accept it
