<
My parents looked at each other, while Olivia muttered “shameless” under her breath and started texting to complain.
I looked at his back, feeling a mix of emotions.
It wasn’t until the fifth year of our relationship that things started to stabilize.
That was when we first exchanged anniversary gifts. He put a necklace on me and tentatively asked if we should meet each other’s parents.
I said okay.
We went to his house first. His mom gave me a big red envelope, and Sophia’s parents also thanked me for helping take care of their daughter and gave me a pair of bracelets.
Alexander knew I felt uncomfortable, so the next day when we went to my house, he was busy helping in the kitchen and making tea.
He came several times, and others said my parents had found a good son–in–law.
My parents seemed to recall these things too.
My dad sighed lightly, “What a mess this is.”
My mom looked at me: “Do you want us to kick him out?”
My dad tried to mediate: “He seems sincere, and we know about the situation with Sophia’s family. This can’t really be blamed on Alexander.”
He patted my hand, “Give him one more chance. If it doesn’t work out, Dad won’t let him in the door next time.”
Olivia secretly rolled her eyes beside me, which made me laugh.
When Alexander came out of the kitchen with dishes, he saw me laughing and seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
He invited us to sit at the dining table, acting more like the host of this house than my parents.
I didn’t want to go against my dad’s wishes, so I pulled out a chair and sat down.
Olivia sat down on my left and, seeing Alexander about to sit on my right, quickly grabbed the back of the chair.
She gave Alexander a fake smile: “This seat’s taken.”
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Olivia hurried to open it, ushering in a tall, slim figure.
It was her brother, Noah.
Noah stood on my right, half a head taller than Alexander.
The siblings sandwiched me in the middle, completely blocking Alexander off.
The sister put a piece of meat on my plate, while the brother didn’t dare to do so, just silently peeling shrimp with gloves on.
He put the peeled shrimp on the small plate next to me, and anyone could see they were for me.
It was also clear that Alexander had no appetite for this meal.
Halfway through the meal, Alexander’s phone rang.
The female voice on the other end was soft and coquettish, “Alexander, the surgery is tonight. Aren’t you coming to stay with me?”
The dining table fell silent.
Alexander paused: “Your parents will be with you.”
He hung up the phone.
My dad’s expression softened a bit more.
4:21
<
Only I felt a chill in my heart, not knowing whether I was mocking Alexander or myself.
Sure enough, the phone rang again soon after.
This time, there was urgent breathing and crying on the other end, “Alexander, I only want you. I’m in so much pain… Will you come stay with me? This might be our last time together…”
There was a harsh sound as my dad put down his chopsticks heavily.
Alexander looked at my dad, then at me.
I saw the veins bulging on his hand holding the phone.
I picked up another shrimp and said lightly: “Go ahead.”
As if receiving an order, Alexander looked at me gratefully and immediately stood up, “Amelia, when I come back, I’ll definitely make up for it with an even grander wedding.”
I had originally planned to let this matter go and talk to him properly about breaking up later, not wanting to ruin today’s good mood.
I didn’t expect him to disgust me like this.
I put down my chopsticks, wiped my mouth slowly, and stood up too: “I’ll go with you. Let’s see her one last time too.”
Alexander hesitated for a moment: “Alright.”
