Chapter 8
754words
My aunt and uncle blamed everything on Monica to protect themselves. They even tried to beg for mercy by cutting all ties with her, but it was too late—especially when my parents found out that they tried to throw me into the sea that day. They should count themselves lucky that they were not taken to court for this.
After Edwin settled his family's affairs upon his return, he started to launch a commercial attack on Grayson's company.
Grayson's company had strived because of my help. Without a core employee like me in the company, it took only half a month for his financial chain to break. He lost his clients, and his company's shares dropped drastically. He had no choice but to file for bankruptcy.
Monica was having an even harder time. Since her parents cut ties with her and kicked her out of the family, Monica lost her source of income, and her reputation was completely damaged. The friends who used to circle her were now avoiding her. No one was willing to help her.
As for me, I officially returned to the family business. My parents held a grand celebration party for me and made an official announcement that I would be the next successor to the company. What caught me by surprise was Edwin proposing to me during the party.
I had kept in contact with Edwin since that day, and we would occasionally go out on dates. As time went by, I gradually began to fall for my childhood friend, the man who had always been silently watching over me.
Edwin refused to deny me any big, ceremonial events and quietly arranged the proposal. He said that he wanted to give me the grandest wedding of all. I happily said yes. However, I did not expect to bump into Grayson again in the back garden after the party was over.
The CEO who once stood tall and proud was now wearing a white shirt that looked like it had been washed too many times. His hair was in a mess, and his eyes were filled with red veins. He was no longer the dashing man he used to be.
When Grayson saw me, he ran up to me to grab my hand. "Can we talk, Ella?"
All I did was look silently at him. The man in front of me looked familiar but was so much like a stranger at the same time. The heartbreak and pain I used to feel now seemed so distant.
"I know it's too late for me to say anything," Grayson smiled bitterly as the look in his eye dimmed.
"The company has gone bankrupt, and I owe a tremendous debt. I'm left with nothing now. I'm not here today to ask for your forgiveness. I just wanted to apologize to you. I'm sorry to have hurt you over the last four years when you were being true to me. I shouldn't have looked down on you and ignored all the sacrifices you've made for me, and done so many things to give you pain.
"It's only after I lost everything that I finally understood that you're the most important thing to me. Unfortunately, it's too late."
He choked back a sob. I saw the regret in his eyes but felt nothing for him.
"Grayson," I finally said calmly. "I accept your apology, but I can't forgive you. What happened in the past is over, and I don't want to talk about it anymore, nor do I want anything more to do with you."
I raised my hand to show him the ring that Edwin put on my finger not long ago.
"I'm happy now. I have a family who loves me, a life partner who dotes on me, and my own career. I don't want anyone to disrupt my life. I know that you're here today to apologize to me, but if you really care for me, you should know that I don't want to hear you say these things. You should go. Don't appear in front of me ever again."
Grayson's lips trembled. He looked like he wanted to say more, but when he saw the shiny ring on my finger, he let it go in the end.
