Charles was glad that Dolores was coming to see him, but at the same time he was devastated that Dolores was coming to see him about another man.
Dolores didnât want to waste her time. She cut to the chase: âYou broke your promise. I am disappointed in you. I think you know why I came to see you. Tell me, what do I have to do to make you part with this? I wonât stop you if you want revenge on Jeffery. I donât care if youâre dead or alive, but I wonât let you use Matthew as a weapon for your revenge. Donât think I canât do anything to you because I want to keep Matthew in the dark. Donât forget that this is B-town. Besides Matthew, there is also Jayden in this city.â
Jayden hadnât been in charge of business for a while, but that didnât mean he wasnât capable. It was easy for Jayden to deal with an outsider like Charles.
Dolores didnât always show her humility. At times, she was also stubborn. That meant she could play hard and fast, and she could also negotiate.
Charles stared at Dolores for some time. Then he laughed, âYou really would do anything for him.â
âHeâs my husband, the father of my children. I would do anything for him,â Dolores said. She looked back at Charles.
Dolores had nothing to hide.
Charles could fake his smile anything. He gripped the arms of the wheelchair with his hands, âWhat if I say I love you?â
âYou wonât. Youâre much better than this. Iâm a married woman and I know Iâm not that attractive. Now tell me, what do you want?â Dolores showed no emotion on her face after hearing what Charles said. It was as if she was not the person Charles was talking about.
Doloresâ calmness surprised Charles.
âAre you a woman? Even if you donât like me, donât you think you should show some sympathy after hearing my confession? Youâve made me feel like a loser,â Charles didnât hide his disappointment.
âDo you think Iâm a big-hearted person, that I should care about you too? No, Iâm not. Iâm mean. I can only have one person in my heart. There is no room for another person. Now I hope we can get back to what we were discussing. Tell me your term. If you donât want to discuss it, thatâs fine. Thatâs the last favor Iâm doing you for coming here today. From this day forward, we are enemies.â
Then, he called, âBoyceâ¦â
âWait,â Charles hadnât expected Dolores to be so stubborn. When he saw her appear through his door, he even thought about whether he could take her back as a term.
Then he would take her back to White City and live a normal life forever.
Charles didnât know Dolores would be so stubborn.
Dolores was the reason Charles was happy and sad, and Charles couldnât do anything about it.
A car pulled up on the street in front of the hotel. A man who should be drunk and sleeping in the villa was watching Charles and Doloresâ actions in the room through the surveillance camera video.
Matthew got people to investigate where Charles was staying in B-town when he showed up in the room to send flowers to Dolores. B-town was a big city, but there werenât many luxury hotels in town. It wasnât hard to figure out where Charles was staying.
Matthew knew that Dolores had probably gotten him drunk to come see Charles. So he asked his people to pose as a cleaner and hid a surveillance camera in the room.
Matthew could see every move Charles and Dolores made, and he could hear everything they had said, clearly.
Matthew leaned back in the chair. The shirt he was wearing was wrinkled. Matthew wore a pair of pants and kept his legs crossed. He loosened the button on the collar of his shirt with one hand and rested his forehead on another. His hand covered most of his face and hid his emotions.
Back in the room.
Dolores didnât ask Charles right away if he had considered and was willing to tell her his terms now. Instead, she waited patiently.
I like you. Itâs the only thing I havenât cared what others think, and itâs the only thing Iâve been able to follow with the voice of my heart.â
Charles turned his wheelchair around and looked at Dolores, âI was so glad when you came to see me, but the reason you came was because of another man. You said you didnât want him hurt. I am jealous. Very jealous-whatâs so funny about that?â
Dolores looked at Charles, and felt a little moved. Maybe it was because they both didnât have happy childhoods. Dolores could identify with Charlesâs grief.
âI can keep the doctor from appearing in front of Matthew,â Charles scooted his wheelchair closer to Dolores until his knees were next to Doloresâ.
âWhen I knew I liked you, I wanted to use everything I had in exchange for a healthy pair of legs so I could stand in front of you, like a normal man.
I felt inferior most of the time. I hated myself so much when I couldnât sleep at night and I would see your face in my head.â
Charlesâ eyes were red and he was trembling.
Dolores said softly, âIâm not worth it.â
âYes, youâre not worth it,â Charles leaned over and looked into Doloresâ eyes. Their noses were only millimeters apart, and they were almost touching. âBut I couldnât control myself.â
Dolores clenched her fists. She was stunned and, at the same time, moved. It was not about her confession, but about her life. The world was full of injustices. Some people were born into an ordinary family but went on to grow old peacefully, while others were abandoned once they were born.
âIf I were the first one you met, would youâ¦?â
âThere is no âif,'â Dolores stopped Charles. He didnât want to answer a hypothetical question for something impossible.
Dolores could see her reflection in Charlesâ eyes. Charles said, âI could make the doctor disappear forever, and no one would find him under a term.â
âWhat term?â
Charles stared at Doloresâ lips. Her lips looked soft, and their color was pink even when Dolores wore no lipstick.
Dolores realized Charlesâs intention. She turned her face away, but Charles grabbed her by the neck and forced her to look at him.
Charles murmured, âAll I want is a kiss from you, canât you give it to me?â Dolores shook her head.
Disappointment shone in Charlesâ eyes, but a smile soon appeared on his face, âYouâre cruel.â
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