Chapter 25
ש
D
X
+15
Gavin knew all the sacrifices Cecilia had made, which was why he felt so confident and unafraid.
“Cecilia, I know you went on that blind date just to provoke me. You also know that you’ll never find anyone better than me. The man you just met doesn’t even compare to me. Don’t make a decision you’ll regret,” Gavin said.
As his emotions slowly settled, Gavin no longer threatened her but instead spoke softly, trying to persuade her. “Let’s get back together. I know you can’t live without me. Come back to me.”
Cecilia couldn’t help but laugh at his words. “I was the one who broke up with you. No matter how many times you try to cling to me, my answer is still the same. Gavin, stop being so full of yourself.”
At that moment, headlights from a car leaving the parking lot flashed toward them.
Cecilia and Gavin stood facing each other, separated by distance–one in the light, the other in the shadows. They seemed like they were in two different worlds entirely.
“Don’t come looking for me again. We’re not even friends,” Cecilia said firmly, turning away without looking back.
*****
Back at home, Cecilia found her mother and brother waiting for her in the living room, both looking like they wanted to say something but didn’t know how.
“Luke, you have class tomorrow, go get some rest,” Cecilia said, trying to ease the tension.
“Okay, goodnight.” Luke left, still looking worried.
Cecilia sat down on the sofa and took the initiative to speak. “Mom, did Mr. Edward Quinn call? Is Henry okay? If he’s hurt, I’ll take care of the medical bills.”
“Edward called. He said Henry’s fine.” Lily looked at Cecilia, choosing her words carefully before asking, “Just now, Gavin came by to find you. Did he hurt Henry? Cecilia, are you and Gavin…”
“We have completely broken up.” Cecilia didn’t want to worry Lily and smiled at her reassuringly.
But Lily took her hands in hers, sighing. “I should’ve seen it earlier. You and Gavin were inseparable since you were kids. But over the years, you’ve been coming home alone, and Gavin never accompanied you.
“When you were little, you said you wanted to marry by 25, but it wouldn’t matter if it happened a little later. Your father and I always hoped you would marry someone you love.”
Lily didn’t press further; she just gently stroked Cecilia’s hair. Cecilia had never liked to cry, and it took a lot of accumulated disappointment for her to finally let go.
“My beautiful, kind daughter, I know you’ll meet someone who will be by your side for life, and you’ll be happy,” Lily said.
The blessing from her parents made Cecilia’s eyes water. She leaned into Lily’s embrace and nodded gently. “I’ll be happy, Mom. Don’t worry.”
Back in her room, Cecilia was pulling the curtains shut when she saw a car parked downstairs. She knew it was Gavin’s car,
1/4
8
D
X
+15
Chapter 25
but her gaze didn’t linger on it.
It had been a while since she had returned home, and her room was still kept spotless by her mother.
Many of the things on the desk were old items from the Jordan family. Among them was a box where she kept her collected items, and inside, design sketches that stirred up memories.
Deciding to become a designer meant that Cecilia had to be prepared to face the old news about the Jordan family.
In her drawer, she still kept a newspaper from four years ago. Cecilia’s breath grew heavy as she slowly opened it.
The article reported on jewelry tycoon Richard Jordan, accused of using illegal black mine stones and selling counterfeit jewelry, among other crimes.
The investigation had led to the bankruptcy of the Jordan family and a severed financial chain. Later, with Richard’s death, the investigation seemed to be buried, and public opinion had already convicted the family.
Cecilia stared at her father’s photo in the newspaper, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes. She bit her lip, trying to hold back the overwhelming pain.
“Dad, I believe our family is innocent,” she whispered, but she had no evidence.
All the evidence pointing to the Jordan family was too perfect. Richard hadn’t committed suicide out of guilt, his death was an accident caused by a car crash.
But even now, the Jordan family hadn’t been able to prove their innocence. This was the deepest and most painful scar hidden in Cecilia’s heart.
“I will buy back my father’s last work. I’ll return to the design world under the name of Richard’s daughter.” Cecilia sobbed, her pain and anger turning into her goal.
1
Outside, Luke had come out to get some water. He was worried about Cecilia and happened to pass by her bedroom door, hearing her sobbing.
Suddenly, Luke received a message from Gavin. [Luke, is Cecilia okay after returning home?]
In the night, Gavin lazily leaned against his car door, a cigarette burning between his fingers, his eyes fixed on the direction of Cecilia’s bedroom.
The slap earlier that evening had made him realize that he truly couldn’t lose Cecilia. Everything had slipped out of his control, and he couldn’t accept it.
After a moment of hesitation, Luke decided to return to his room and dialed Gavin’s number. “Gavin, Cecilia is crying in her room. I don’t dare knock on the door.”
Upon hearing this, Gavin immediately extinguished his cigarette. “Cecilia is crying because of me?”
“She wasn’t in a good mood when she came home. She’s been hiding in her room crying, probably because she doesn’t want us to hear. She must be really upset,” Luke said.
Luke could hear the sobs, and the more he thought about it, the more worried he became. He only associated it with a
2/4
X
回
日
+15
Chapter 25
breakup, though.
“I had an argument with Ceci
