Chapter 182
“Matthew, I did consider dating you. I considered spending the rest of my life in a joyous union with you. But you saw what happened just now. I have no place in your family. We’re from two different worlds.
“You look down on my world, and I can’t tolerate yours either, let alone be a part of it. Being ex–classmates is the best choice here. Matthew, let’s not see each other anymore.”
I broke free of Matthew’s grip and left stubbornly, leaving the heartbroken man behind me.
I was devastated too when I turned around. I regretted attending this birthday party.
It was never my wish to hurt someone who had been loving me for years. I didn’t have it in me to break his heart, but I had no other options. I was just a person, and I had my dignity
too.
Matthew’s parents had trampled on my dignity.
My eyes were red and misty. I bit my lip hard to stop the tears from falling.
I could cry, but definitely not before those who looked down on me.
Helen looked at me and then at Matthew. Her mouth opened several times, but nothing came out of it. In the end, she caught up to me and said, “Let me walk you out.”
“It’s okay. I know where the door is.” I declined Helen’s kindness and made a beeline for the
entrance.
Paying no heed to his parents‘ angry demands, Matthew grabbed his car keys and caught up to me. “Let’s leave this negative space. I’ll come with you. We can order what we want to eat on the journey.”
Oh, Matthew. Did he have to do this? He could leave with me today. But what about tomorrow? What about next week? What about his future?
I halted, and he did the same next to me.
There were countless emotions in his eyes. The pain made him look extra desperate.
I felt bad for him.
If he was the chubby boy I knew and not the heir of the Loxley family, perhaps we could have a happy ending. But he was the heir to his family. He was destined to leave a legacy. Matthew couldn’t just abandon his parents and those here watching the drama.
+15 BONUS
Admittedly, none of those people liked me. They antagonized me the first moment we met.
How many couples could remain together when their families viewed the other as mortal enemies?
Matthew’s mother had made it clear that she’d never acknowledge me. Her disdain toward me was palpable. Even if I was willing to endure it for Matthew, his mother and I would inevitably get into arguments in the future.
Matthew could defend me once or twice. But could he do that forever? When his passion for me died down as time went by, would his love turn into resentment?
Of course, it would. I knew it would.
Only bad endings awaited us. So why not cut ties now before years of attachment turned into the source of our heartache?
I didn’t want to do Matthew wrong. I wanted to break things off properly with him.
“Go back, Matthew. Your family and friends are inside. You can’t abandon them. Our relationship ends here.”
I had become calmer. I could see the whole picture now. I knew the right thing to do to minimize the pain.
“I can abandon them, Lulu. Because you’re my world.” Matthew stared into my eyes. The agony and sorrow in his eyes were apparent.