“Go our separate ways?”
Previously, when Hayden heard a couple say these words in the movie, they had not touched him. But now, hearing them from Aurora, he felt as if his world was crashing down around him. From now on, they would go their separate ways, each finding their own peace. How cruel was that?
“Aurora, I haven’t forgotten about you for a single day in these three years, and I’ve sent you many messages. Have you seen them?” He gripped Aurora’s hand tightly, desperate to express the feelings he had suppressed for three years. Aurora tried to pull her hand back but found his grip firm, causing her brow to furrow in discomfort as she stared at him.
“So what if you haven’t forgotten me? What use is it to say these things now?”
“Aurora, I know I was wrong. Can you forgive me?” Hayden didn’t truly know what he wanted anymore. Perhaps he wished for Aurora to return to his side, but he doubted that he even had the right to ask that.
“Mr. Alvarez, there’s something you need to understand. Sometimes, an apology just doesn’t cut it. I don’t blame you anymore for what happened three years ago, and I’ve forgiven you. Because if I still blamed you, it would mean I still care about you. Every time I thought of you, my hatred intensified. So, I don’t blame and I don’t hate you anymore. I forgive you. Now, please let go of my hand.”
She meant it. The culprits who had hurt her three years ago were Susan and the Montgomery family, though Hayden had wronged her too. Indeed, it was a plot meticulously orchestrated by Susan, and his infidelity was because of the aphrodisiac. She had long stopped blaming him, for he had treated her well when they were together. Perhaps it was only that they were not destined to be together, or perhaps their love could not withstand any tests.
As she spoke of her forgiveness, Hayden felt no relief as he had anticipated. As she had said, she no longer blamed him, meaning there wasn’t even resentment in her heart. She didn’t even want to think about him. They were like strangers now.
“What about the past? Can you really not care about it and forget it?” A strong sense of frustration surged in his heart.
“Does it matter, Mr. Alvarez? What’s the point of dwelling on it?” Aurora’s lips curved into a mocking smile, not sure if she was mocking his questions or their past together.
Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, she pulled her hand free and continued to quietly enjoy her meal and wine. Life was still beautiful and hadn’t soured because of anyone’s departure. She soon felt content. Wiping her mouth elegantly with a napkin, she said, “Well, Mr. Alvarez, we’ve done enough talking for the day. It’s time for me to leave.”
“It’s late. Let me take you home.” Hayden didn’t know what he truly wanted, just wishing for more time with her.
“No need. I drove here.”
“You’ve been drinking. It’s not safe for you to drive. I’ll take you.” Without another word, he paid the bill and they left together.
As they passed through the lobby and saw a piano, Hayden pointed to it and said, “Aurora, do you remember that year when I…”
“Sorry, I don’t remember anything,” Aurora interrupted him sharply, not allowing him any time to reminisce about the past. The song he had played back then had been the reason she agreed to be his girlfriend, but what was the point of bringing it up now? The words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat, and a resigned, bitter smile played on Hayden’s lips.
Aurora had walked away, and as he watched her carefree silhouette, he felt trapped in the emotional turmoil of the past.
As she descended the stairs, the confronting wind heightened her rationality. Aurora was on the phone with Cameron.
“Where are you?”
“Miss Montgomery, my mother has acute appendicitis. I’m at the hospital now. Do you need anything?” Cameron’s voice carried a note of anxiety.
“It’s nothing urgent. Just checking in. Is she alright? Call me if you need anything.” Aurora had initially hoped he would pick her up.
“Don’t worry, Miss Montgomery. Do you need me to call a cab for you?”
“No, that’s okay.”
At that moment, Hayden had followed her out. “Aurora, let me take you.”
“I’ll just take a cab.” The meeting tonight had been spontaneous, and she had thought she would have a lot to say after not seeing him for three years.
However, upon actually seeing him, she felt more composed than expected. The so-called explanations didn’t stir any emotions in her.
Now, Hayden seemed only useful for confronting Susan. Beyond that, she felt nothing for him.
“It’s unsafe for you to be alone so late. Let me drive you home.” Hayden’s concern was genuine, and he truly wanted to know where she was living now.
Regardless of Aurora’s cold demeanor, he had spent the last three years in remorse and pain and wanted to make it up to her.
He had dreamt of her forgiveness, but when he finally received her forgiveness, he did not feel relieved. Guilt and regret continued to torment him.
“Mr. Alvarez, you’re engaged now. It’s inappropriate for you to be out late not accompanying your fiancee,” she said.
Her gaze fixed on him, she took a few steps forward, closing the distance between them. Hayden caught his breath. Aurora was no longer the naive girl she once was. Her lips curled into a seductively enchanting smile.
Her polished fingers lightly touched his chest, even though they were in the busy street. If Susan dared such a thing, he would certainly avoid it, but not with Aurora.
Her beautiful, alluring smile quickened his heartbeat. Aurora had become a deadly poison, her smile enough to make any man bow down to her.
“You care so much for me. Could it be…” Her fingers traced up his chest, the innuendo unmistakable. She tiptoed, her lips brushing against Hayden’s ear, whispering, “Mr. Alvarez, do you still think there might be a chance between us?”
Her words immediately froze the atmosphere. Hayden’s mind was a mess, his senses filled only with her scent.
With such close proximity adn such suggestive words, he wrapped his arms around her waist. “Aurora, I…”
As if knowing what he was about to say, she placed her finger on his lips before he could speak. “Even if you said so, I wouldn’t agree.”
She laughed, truly resembling a bewitching fairy, captivating in the night, seemingly taking his heart with her.
“Aurora, I’m just worried about you. I just want to make sure you get home safely,” he said, suppressing his intense desires.
“Really?” Aurora scoffed, stepping back from his embrace. “But I no longer need your concern.”