A Great Gift
Joe Louise met her desolate gaze, a dull ache resonating in his chest. His lips quivered, and he whispered softly, “Cynthia, please listen to my explanation. Things aren't as you think...”
“Joe Louise, I thought even if we had lost our feelings, we could still retain a shred of dignity for each other, parting on good terms. You know I trusted you, depended on you, and regarded you as my everything. Yet, time and time again, you chose to betray me...”
Cynthia's voice seemed to waver with a hint of sentiment, her cool tone interspersed with a heart-wrenching catch.
“I felt unworthy of you, so I strived to keep pace with you. I could bear the Louise Family's bias against me. You knew I didn't covet the Louise Family's wealth and splendor; I just wanted to be with you.”
Suddenly, she tilted her head, forcing a bitter smile, as if suppressing tears beneath her gaze. “But let it be. Let's assume it was all my one-sided wishful thinking. From now on, there's no connection between us!”