Back to Love: A New Beginning
Chapter 96

Chapter 96:

Gifford flicked the ash off his cigarette and unconsciously picked up the glass. Just as he was about to take a sip, he probably remembered that it had been me who had poured the water, so he put it back down.

“You have your own target, and so does Derek. Do you think he really likes you?” he asked.

“Women are lining up to marry him. Why do you think he chose you? Miss Stone, he deliberately chose you to spite me. He wasn’t looking for the perfect match for him, he found a divorcee because he knew it would drive me crazy. All these years he has blamed me for not accepting that woman who sang for a living.” I finally understood why Derek chose me.

Gifford talked a lot, and only this part made sense.

Derek had chosen me not only to get revenge on Shane, but also on his father. I was a mere rock helping him kill two birds at the same time.

“Please don’t say that. I don’t want to depend on him nor do I need his money. I’m leaving now.”

I couldn’t hold on any longer. I turned and ran upstairs. After packing all my things, I went downstairs with my suitcase.

Gifford was still sitting, staring off into the distance. Wisps of smoke floated in the air as if he hadn’t moved.

I wanted to leave without saying a word, but I remembered something and stopped short.

Seeing me stop suddenly, he probably thought I was reluctant to leave, so he sneered, “You still don’t want to give up? How badly do you want to?” His voice held no emotion, almost as if he had expected it.

I turned away and smiled bitterly.

“My love is priceless. Besides, every job in this world is valuable-what’s wrong with being a nurse? And there was no shame in Sybil singing at the bar. Some people are born rich, and others struggle to make ends meet. But money is not the only thing in the world. Even though I’m poor, I don’t do bad things to get money. I don’t steal anything. I work hard to earn, and I’m proud of it. And Derek…”

A lump formed in my throat. I took a deep breath to control myself and glanced at Gifford.

“If you don’t want others to love him, then you’d better love him and keep him happy.

Even if Derek is rich and can buy everything with money, it doesn’t mean he has everything. Money can’t buy everything in this world.” I knew Derek had longed for his father’s love.

gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․𝒸о𝗺 opens doors to wonder

Gifford gave me a thoughtful look and was silent. I could tell he was deep in thought.

I picked up my suitcase, turned and left the villa.

I had never been lucky; life had always forced me to be a quitter. I had once again abandoned the place that gave me happiness. However, my self-esteem was my greatest asset. I could not let anyone or anything destroy it.

So I took a cab.

I couldn’t go back to my house because I knew Derek would come looking for me. So, I called Louise and asked for her new address.

I leaned against the car window and looked out as tears rolled down my cheeks. I had a glimmer of hope in my heart as I promised to have a talk with Derek. If he had a reasonable explanation, I could forgive him without thinking. But every word from his father broke my heart. I lost all hope of making peace with him.

A flash of light from far away blinded my vision. I recognized it as Derek’s car.

He was driving at lightning speed.

Was he in such a hurry to see me? I leaned out the window to catch him. But his car had disappeared from my view.

I clutched my chest and felt as if a weight had settled on my heart. The pain was insurmountable.

I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my contact list. After a moment of hesitation, I finally decided to blacklist his number.

My mind was spinning. After what seemed like an eternity, the cab pulled up at the destination. Louise was waiting for me at the gate of the community.

She took my luggage and studied my face. “What happened, why did you move all of a sudden?”

I couldn’t answer her question. Perhaps she thought I had cried, so she ushered me into the house without questioning me further.

Louise asked me if I had eaten dinner. I didn’t want her to cook for me, so I lied that I had already eaten.

I showered and went to bed, but I couldn’t sleep. Derek’s face popped into my mind every time I closed my eyes.

Louise was worried. She kept asking me what had happened, so I told her everything, including the information Aaron had given me and my conversation with Derek’s father.

“Geez, his dad sounds heartless!” growled Louise.

I rubbed my throbbing temples and sighed, “Never mind. It’s a mistake, after all. I should have figured it out sooner.”

“What makes you say that Derek has a relationship with you just to get back at Shane and his father? I don’t think that’s true. He’s kind to you; I don’t think he’s faking it. His concern and care seem genuine.” I bit my lip, trying not to cry, and watched the champagne-colored curtains sway in the gentle breeze,

“I don’t know what’s true and what’s not. I’m exhausted, Louise. I don’t want to replace the truth. We’re not meant to be together. There’s no point in me wasting my time trying to figure out what went wrong.”

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