"Give me time? How? Wait for you, wait for you to choose between two? Killian, don't make me look down on you!"
This was probably the first time I had spoken to Killian in such a tone.
He must have been hurt by me.
He turned and walked away, hurrying so fast that his leg began to limp. It was a disability left from years ago.
Everyone said Killian was always slow, unhurried, with a demeanor as steady as a mountain even when disaster struck.
But in reality, all of that was to cover up his flaws.
Over the years, no matter how good the therapy or care, nothing could bring him back to how he was before.
He could only walk slowly, step by step.
And I always followed him.
This time, I turned around but didn't look back.
The situation between Killian and me could be kept secret from outsiders.
But our parents, that was something we couldn't hide.
When my parents found out, they were furious and threatened to settle scores with Killian's family.
Before I could even try to calm them down, news came that Killian's mother was hospitalized.
At that moment, I didn't even know how to be angry anymore.
My dad sighed, "Actually, the main issue is your attitude. If you were acting all desperate, we wouldn't let the Sutton family get off easily. But you… you're acting like nothing happened. Come on, tell me, what exactly do you want?"
"Let it be. There's no need to create enemies. Business still has to go on, we can't just cut off all ties. Of course, the money we should earn, we'll still earn."
"You've grown up."
The sigh from my dad made my nose tingle a little. Just then, the assistant knocked on the door and said Curtis had arrived. My dad asked, "What's going on?" I replied, "He has a project and wants to collaborate with me."
Curtis's project was nearly a guaranteed success. There were countless people wanting to collaborate with him, yet he specifically sought me out.
"Why did you choose me?"
"Because, well… you could say it's love at first sight!"
"You're being this reckless?" He nodded. "Yes, I am!"
When business opportunities came knocking, it wasn't wise to turn them down. That evening, we went to a dinner meeting. I never expected Killian to walk in.
He walked up to me with a glass of wine, half-supporting my chair, and said to everyone at the table, "I shouldn't be interrupting, but my wife can't handle her alcohol, so I'm worried. You all can just treat me as decoration, I'll handle the drinks, but I won't interfere with the rest. Is that alright?"
He said that, but his hand was already on the chair beside me, sitting down.
Curtis's face turned cold.
He looked like he was about to snap, but I gently shook my head.
If he wanted to play the happy couple card, I couldn't just shatter that illusion in front of everyone. I had no choice but to go along with it.
So, at the entire dinner, I was the only one who didn't touch a drop of alcohol.
By the time the clock struck midnight, most of the guests had drunkenly staggered out. Only Curtis, Killian, and I were left behind. The delicate wine glass was tossed onto the table by Killian.
The tender affection on his face had disappeared, replaced with an unreadable expression.
"Curtis, I don't care what you're planning, but don't lay a hand on Amya!" Killian grabbed me.
"I'm taking you home!"
Curtis strode forward, grabbing Killian by the arm.
"Let go!"
"Curtis, you're asking for it!"
Curtis let out a cold laugh, rolling up his sleeves.
"Cripple, I've been patient with you all night!" Killian's face darkened.
It looked like a fight was about to break out. I grabbed my bag.
"Do whatever you want, I'm leaving!"
Killian shot a cold look at Curtis but, after a moment of hesitation, turned and followed me.
"I'll take you home."
I stepped back.
"Killian, can you just stop bothering me?"
"You've already made up your mind. Your choice is Ariella Neal, so stick with it and stop messing with me!"
In the dim light, I could barely make out Killian's expression.
I heard his low voice, tinged with concern, "I just don't want you to get hurt. Curtis has ill intentions. Don't let him deceive you!"
I let out a low laugh.
"Deceive me, hurt me? The one who's been deceiving and hurting me has always been you, hasn't it?"
"I didn't—"
"You did!"
"Six months ago, the day after we confirmed our wedding date, you went abroad. You stood outside Ariella Neal's place all night, and I stood there with you. Then, when you came back, you were sick—feverish for a week. I took care of you like always, without asking a single question. I thought it was your final farewell to the past."
"Two years ago, on Ariella's birthday, you returned to high school. We went to the hot pot place we always used to eat at, and the owner recognized you. She asked if you were married, if it was to that tall, skinny girl. You said yes. I was standing outside the door, you were laughing, and I was crying."
"Three years ago, I found that necklace, hidden in the only safe I didn't know the code to. The code wasn't Ariella's birthday, but the date you two started dating. The necklace was cheap, just a few bucks from a street vendor. You threw it into the swimming pool in front of me, but I'm sure you fished it out yourself. I remember you were sick around that time—fever, severe cold. You lost weight."
"Honestly, I didn't want to say any of this. It makes me seem too pathetic. I've always been proud, yet I lowered myself to the dirt in front of you. It's been ten years. How could I not resent it? But at least I've known you since early, so even after ten years, I'm only 28. So, Killian, please stop bothering me!"
Saying all this almost drained me of every ounce of energy.
Killian stood there, frozen, not following me any longer. I slowly walked ahead, unsure how long I had been walking.
I was tired.
I crouched down by the roadside.
Curtis' luxury car slowly pulled up and stopped beside me.
He rolled down the window, looking down at me.
"Curtis, I can't walk anymore."
"Get in the car."
"Curtis, why do you call him 'the cripple'?"
"He is one… I won't call him that again."
"It's fine, call him that. But he does hit pretty hard."
"He can't beat me."
"Really?"
"Yeah!"
"Curtis, let's go get some beef stew, there's a place that makes the best!"
"Sure!"
"Curtis, play a song for me."
"Okay!"
"Curtis, I just need a moment to cry."
"Alright."
