She felt sad, but the thought that the happiness and anticipation of her family members over the marriage would be shattered increased her misery. However, she was not someone who clung to the past. Despite her struggle to accept this fact, she maintained her manners. She inhaled deeply, raised her head, and looked at the man across her.
“Mr. Lloyd, I know in my heart that I am not good enough for you, as you are an amazing person. I wish you… I’m sorry… Enjoy your meal.” She then took her bag and left the restaurant while wiping her tears. What she needed right now was a place to cry uncontrollably.
Annie left the restaurant and went to a nearby café. While still crying, she quickly grabbed her phone and called Angela.
Angela was eating lunch with her mom in the office cafeteria when her phone rang. Looking at her phone, her heart skipped a beat as she saw Annie had called.
She answered the phone at once. “Hello, Annie?” Annie’s rapid cries, rather than her voice, greeted her on the other end of the line as if she were too distraught to talk at the moment.
“Ann.” Angela called Annie’s name out of concern.
“Angela… T-The engagement is canceled. Richard called off our engagement. H-He says that he likes another woman.” Annie sobbed in dejection upon recounting that.
“Where are you? I’ll come to you,” questioned Angela in a gentle voice.
“I’ll send you the location.” Annie just needed someone to confide in. She sent the location to Angela as soon as she terminated the call.
Angela informed her mother before hitting the road by car toward the coffee shop. By the time she found Annie, the jilted woman was sitting right there with puffy eyes and a long face.
Angela sat next to her and gave her a hug. At that moment, Annie threw herself into her embrace as tears trickled down her cheeks again.
“Everything’s gonna be fine. Don’t cry. It’s fortunate that he’s honest with you about his feelings before it’s too late.
“Angela, I wonder what kind of girl a rigid man like him left me for. She must be an amazing and beautiful person to have won his heart.” The sorrow in Annie was laced with crumbs of frustration nonetheless.
Angela held her tongue for a moment before offering some comforting words. “Let’s not think about that. Just let him be! You’re not bad yourself.”
“Hmm, but I’m not sure how I’m going to face Grandpa, Dad and Mom. They must be disappointed in me.” Not only Annie had to accept the called-off engagement, she also needed to face her family’s disappointment.
“Don’t worry about it. They’ll understand.” Angela then primped Annie’s messy hair strands. “You must believe that your family loves you the most.”
Annie sniffed and nodded like an obedient child. “Hmm. Angela, I actually sensed his indifferent attitude during the engagement ceremony back then. I’ve texted him numerous times, but he never replied at all. It is true that he doesn’t care for me.”
Angela’s chest tightened as her heart ached for Annie, yet she could not help her sister, which ensued a wave of guilt in her. If I didn’t fall in love with Richard at the base; if I didn’t exist in the first place, would he give it a shot with Annie?
“I asked whether the girl he likes is an outstanding person, but he said that that was not the case. It’s just that no one can take away her place in his heart. Angela, I’m so jealous of that girl!” Annie blinked her teary eyes while she unbosomed her genuine thoughts and sorrow without hiding anything.
Angela’s heart was squeezed by an invisible string and she took a deep breath. ‘Ann, actually- She just wished she could tell the truth.
“What?” Annie stared at her in curiosity.
