Chapter 10

Mom and Dad, I'm sorry.

I failed to live up to your teachings and foolishly fell for a man like Lawrence.

Now, I have nothing left.

Mom and Dad are gone.

The child is gone!

I am alone in this world, like a wandering ghost.

I don't even know how I got downstairs, my head was in a daze.

The night doesn't seem so scary; what's scarier is the human heart.

Raindrops hit my face one by one, and I seemed completely unaware.

Around me were the sounds of cars whizzing by and splashing water.

The splashes soaked my clothes, but I was numb, couldn't feel the cold, and walked aimlessly forward, step by step.

Across from me was an open space, raindrops falling into the river, gathering together, and then flowing away.

Even water has a destination, but what about me?

It seems like I have nothing, no family, no lover, no home!

If I merge with the water, can I follow it and find a place to belong?

As if driven by some unseen force, my foot stepped onto the railing, and my hands supported me on the rail.

"Melinda, what are you doing?"

Suddenly, a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind and pulled me back. I fell into a cold embrace, dazed.

My blank eyes cleared in shock, and through the rain, I looked at the person opposite me.

His face, which should have been blurry, was inexplicably clear, with a handsome face, deep eyes, and sharp eyebrows, now frowning angrily at me.

"Christopher!"

My voice was a bit hoarse, and I widened my eyes uncertainly.

"Looks like your brain isn't completely broken!" He flicked my forehead, and I heard that familiar, sarcastic voice again.

It hurt!

My already injured forehead felt like the world was spinning after he flicked it.

My body went limp, and I fell to the ground.

In my daze, I seemed to feel myself falling into Christopher's arms again.

Strangely, this time it didn't feel as cold as before.

When I woke up again, I saw a fresh, sky-blue room.

For a moment, I felt like I was back in the past.

Back when my parents were still alive, in my own room.

The room was in my favorite color, and the furnishings were very similar to my old room.

"You're awake?"

Before I could think about where I was, a magnetic voice came from beside the bed.

I looked up at the person opposite me, "Christopher."

"You still recognize people, so you're not completely stupid!" Christopher's disdainful gaze fell on my forehead.

I was silent.

I didn't know what to say.

Seeing my dazed look, Christopher, who was initially a bit angry, spoke with a bit more emotion, "Your parents were such smart people, how did they have such a fool like you, always wanting to take the easy way out."

"I know! And, thank you!" I felt a bit embarrassed for troubling Christopher.

Actually, I wasn't trying to commit suicide; I was just so shocked by the disgusting truths that I ended up by the river in a daze.

"Nothing else has improved, but at least you've become more polite!" Christopher teased with a faint smile.

In the past, I would have probably argued back with him.

Christopher used to visit my house often, and with his rebellious nature, he always liked to argue with me. I was used to bickering with him in return.

But I knew he said that to lighten the mood.

Then he said, "There are many rooms in the house, stay as long as you need."

After saying that, he got up and left the room.

I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, and the door opened again.

Christopher came in with iodine and cotton swabs.

He glanced at my forehead and arm, frowned, and called me, "Come closer!"

I was silent.

"Your eyes aren't on top of your head; how are you going to treat the wound on your forehead?" Christopher said sarcastically.

Christopher, a perfectly handsome guy, just had to have such a sharp tongue.

I moved closer to him.

I was prepared for the pain, but surprisingly, although his words were harsh, his hands were gentle, and the medicine was applied quickly without much pain.

After applying the medicine, he got up, and just when I thought he was leaving, he looked at me deeply, "You've squandered your parents' inheritance so quickly, looking like a beggar."

"I haven't!"

I looked up at him.

He had changed out of the coat and shirt he wore when I met him by the river and was now in casual clothes.

But even in a simple white T-shirt, his noble and rebellious aura was undiminished.

Christopher smiled faintly, "I think you have!"

I instinctively replied, "I don't care what you think; I know I haven't."

Christopher's smile became more genuine, and his eyebrows seemed to light up the world.

"You can joke now, so you must be fine."

This time, he left decisively and didn't come back.

I lay back on the bed, unable to sleep, and fell into memories.

The last time I saw Christopher was at my parents' funeral.

Before leaving, he lightly tapped my head, "Your shoulders carry a head, not just for eating, but for thinking and seeing people clearly. Don't be fooled by bad people around you."

I didn't take it to heart at the time, thinking he just didn't like Lawrence because of their previous fight.

Now it seems, I was indeed too foolish.

Mom and Dad, Christopher could see what kind of person Lawrence was, but I never did.

When Christopher and Lawrence fought, it wasn't one-sided.

Lawrence didn't like Christopher either.

Because wherever Christopher was, he was the center of attention.

He was cool and handsome, a legend in school.

Christopher had already completed several projects and obtained patents before graduating.

Lawrence was good-looking and excellent too, but compared to Christopher, he always fell short.

Later, because Christopher visited my parents during holidays, there were rumors that he was like a half-son to them.

And my parents clearly preferred Christopher.

So Lawrence confronted Christopher, warning him, "Stay away from Melinda. I'm the one she loves, and only I am her husband."

With his rebellious nature, Christopher couldn't tolerate that and punched him, "I know what you're up to."

They ended up fighting.

I was the one who separated them.

Lawrence was also injured and looked at me sadly, apologizing, "I'm sorry, Melinda. I care about you too much. Even though you're my girlfriend, people say Christopher is your fiancé. I was jealous and couldn't help but fight him. Even if you blame me, I would still fight for you."

At the time, I was touched by Lawrence's concern and stood by his side.

After that incident, Christopher never came to my house again until my parents' funeral.