“Has he been good to you?”
How sad did that sound?
Elena thought that she was calm. She did not expect to feel so devastated when she heard those words.
She had broken up with him without any explanation about a month ago. Since then, she had not heard from him; he had not even sent her a message.
She did not think that it was because he did not care for her. On the contrary, she knew that he wanted her to feel more comfortable about the situation. He did not want her to be burdened with more problems. So, Elena decided to be open with him.
“He doesn’t restrict my freedom, but he wanted me to stay in WongRiver Pavilion all the time. So, I will be staying there for the rest of the semester.
“He hired a private tutor for me, so I’m doing okay with my studies.
“They treat me well at the Williams family; I ate well and dressed warmly. See? I’m even fairer than before.”
It was all true; she did not exaggerate nor hid anything from Henry. That was how Eldest Young Master Williams had treated her.
The elevator arrived with a ding.
As the door opened, Elena retracted her hand, and Henry loosened his grip at the same time.
Elena was grateful to him. She had not seen him for a month, but he was the usual Henry—attentive, thoughtful, and never wanted to put her in an awkward position. He had only done that once, and that was the day he asked her to stay.
That man…
“Second Young Master Sharp, you’re also here?” Lois and her friends were surprised to see their big boss at September Media. They also had not seen the man for the past month or so.
It seemed like he would not make an appearance there if Elena were also not there. Even though they shared the same industrial park, the main building was quite far away. They would certainly not see if they did not look for him in the main building.
Elena was back at the office that day, and Second Young Master Sharp was there too. Was it a coincidence, or was it on purpose?
“I’m here to check the storage upstairs,” Henry returned his hands into his pockets and said, “I wanted to see if September Media needs an expansion.”
It was definitely not his job to check on the storage rooms in the company. He was the Sharp family’s Second Young Master, and he was way up there on the hierarchy. However, no one wanted to call his bluff.
Lois asked, “Second Young Master, have you had your dinner yet?” Henry shook his head.
Lois immediately said, “We are just about to go out for dinner. Would you like to join us?”
Henry lowered his head and looked at Elena, who was next to him. “Is that alright?”
Elena panicked. As she raised her head and looked into his eyes, her smile was faint.
“What are you talking about? The boss wants to buy us dinner, how could we refuse?”
She had addressed him as ‘boss’, and she did not miss the dim in his eyes. However, no one wanted to comment on that.
‘Is that alright?’ Of course, it was alright.
Lois put on a big smile and said, “Well then, let’s go! We’re starving!”
It was a satisfying dinner, albeit an uneasy one. It was not because they had their boss with them, but because no one knew when they would have the next meal together.
By half-past eight in the evening, Elena had to head home. Henry had excused himself earlier, so they thought he still had some things to do. They were stunned to see him with his luxurious car when they walked out of the building.
“I know my way around her, so let me give you a ride home.” He had opened the car door for her, so she could not refuse.
She had wanted to decline his offer; she had planned to take a taxi home.
Lois nudged her lightly and said, “Go on.” She had pitied Second Young Master Sharp; he was such a handsome, rich, and kind man.
‘Don’t hurt this man anymore.’
If it was possible, she hoped that Elena would give him the last bit of warmth.
Elena felt helpless. Lois had pushed her toward the car, so she took a step inside.
“I know you feel awkward.” As she closed the door, Henry stepped on the accelerator and drove out of the restaurant.
“He would not like to see me in your car,” Elena said in full honesty, although it would hurt him.
“It’s fine. I’ll stop a bit further from Williams’s mansion. They will not see me.”
That way, she could pretend that she took a taxi home, right? Elena could not find any excuse to decline his offer.
“I thought you would hate me.”
As the car drove steadily on the road, she looked at the ever-changing scenery outside calmly. Since she was already in the car, she might as well make peace with it and enjoy her time with Henry. Despite their romantic relationship, they had been good friends first.
That man used to be her best partner, and they had shared a tacit understanding.
“I don’t hate you.” Henry did not smile, and he looked grave when he said, “I only hate myself.”
Elena clenched her fists; she did not know how to respond.
He had no reason to feel that way; it was all her.
“I couldn’t protect you and your friend.”
Henry’s heart ached, and so did Elena’s.
She took a deep breath and shook her head. “Eldest Young Master Williams is a competent man, and not many could show off their abilities with him. And now…”
She turned and looked at Henry; she was serious too.
“Even though I don’t ask about his business, ever since he came back from Aryastan, I could feel that he was stronger than before.”
Henry tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
Yes, his big brother had gotten stronger. He was so strong that none of the brothers could ever hope to catch up to him.
It was all because of a woman; it was because of her.
A romantic relationship could be a disaster, and yet, it could also be a chance for one’s cultivation. His big brother had been through hell, and he had finally emerged as the supreme king of the beasts!
“So, don’t say you’re not a capable person, Henry. It was only because your opponent was too strong.”
Henry knew that she wanted to comfort him, but she had told the truth. Could he pretend to be stronger than Eldest Young Master Williams? Even the leader of Paradise Island had to stay away from Bentson; he was still in hiding.
Eldest Young Master Williams was not afraid of anyone anymore, and no one dared to offend him.
“Henry,” Elena suddenly turned around and looked at him with a smile. “We are friends; very, very good friends.”
“Hmm.” He nodded sadly.
Other than sadness, he only had his aching heart left.
Finally, he stopped his car at a dark corner around 200 meters away from the estate entrance. Once again, she had walked away from his life.
When her silhouette disappeared behind the gate, Henry pressed his hand to his chest.
Was it painful? He had no idea. Perhaps he was numb.
However, he found it difficult to breathe; it was as if his heart was torn in half.
It was the same daily, and so he was used to it.
His big brother would treat her well, right?