Chapter 99

“Whether he likes me or not isn’t the point, the point is that I don’t wanna marry him!”

“Is it because… you’ve got someone else on your mind?” Elio asked Clara didn’t respond, which was as good as admitting it.

Elio was a bit peeved, but more than anything, he was curious.

“Who’s the guy? Can you tell me? I really wanna know.”

“Why do you wanna know?”

“Because I’ve always thought you were a carefree gal, kind of slow on the uptake when it comes to love, so I never quite got your meaning! But, to my surprise, you’ve already got a crush on someone!

So, of course, I’d be interested in who he is! What’s he like?”

Clara took a moment, “He’s a bit hot–headed but very patient with me Back in school, I was often bullied. Just because I was an illegitimate child, people looked down on me and attacked me, and only… he stood up for me.”

Elio chuckled, “A high school romance?”

“Sounds shallow, huh?” Clara also smiled, “But as someone who really suffered from school bullying, that time was hell for me! I didn’t want to go to school or face anyone Even if classmates just whispered nearby, I’d get paranoid and think they were talking about me!”

*. I can understand how you felt”

“They not only insulted me but also my mom! I couldn’t fight back; I didn’t even know who to explain it to! But my mom was also a victim! He never told my mom he was already mamed! My mom cut him off as soon as she found out, but his wife wouldn’t let us off the hook!”

“Calm down” Elio gripped her arm. “It’s all in the past! You’re not in school anymore.”

Clara took a deep breath, “That’s not even the worst of it! My biological father left a mountain of debt and left my identity information to the creditors! When they couldn’t find my dad, they came looking for me! During those tough times, it was he who gave me the courage to live and to keep going!”

“So, why aren’t you two together then?”

“…I’m not good enough.”

Clara lowered her head, her eyes welling up, “I don’t deserve him. I’m even worse off now than I was before, at least back then I was innocent! I don’t want to marry him with a kid!”

“You’re always like this, always considering others.”

“Elio, I can’t be that selfish! I can’t deceive my own conscience.” Clara forced a bitter smile, “I’m a burden now, and it’d be even worse if I brought along Alex. You might think I’m a good person now, even considering me as a potential wife. But over time, we might argue and fight for various reasons, and in the end, we might not even be friends anymore! I don’t want that.”

Elio held her hand tightly, “I’m not afraid, really! I won’t let that happen! I’ll protect you and Alex for the rest of my life. I will keep my word!”

Before Clara could respond, another voice cut them off.

“Let go of her hand!”

Clara whipped around, with her face ghostly pale from fright.

“Emmett! What on earth are you doing here?”

Wasn’t he supposed to be back home?

How did he know she was here?

And Alex!

Alex was still inside!

“Did I interrupt something?” asked Emmett.

It was impossible to tell what was going on in his mind.

All she knew was that he certainly wasn’t pleased.

Elio finally caught on, giving Clara a glance. “You know Emmett?”

“She’s my wife.”

“Wife?!” Elio was stunned and completely lost for words.