“No, I just got out of it. What’s the matter?” Olivia heard the door being closed on the other end, which led her to assume that he had just returned to his office. So, without hiding anything, she told him what had just happened in full detail, including what she had said when Jewel came to her studio this morning and how Alex said he never asked for a breakup when he called afterward. Finally, she added, “I can’t help feeling that I shouldn’t have told Jewel the truth. She’s devastated.”
Eugene comforted her, saying, “It’s okay. She has to know about this, anyway, and it’s better for her to know this sooner than later. They have to stay together of their own volition, not because one of them gets to choose while the other can only be chosen. That would be unfair to Jewel. Now that she’s learned the truth, whether or not she still wants to be with Alex is her own choice. They’re both adults, so don’t worry. Whatever decision they make, they’re going to make it after careful consideration.”
Listening to his comforting words, Olivia felt much better. She couldn’t help but tease him, “That’s a quick change of stance on your part, Eugene.” Eugene let out a chuckle. “Is that so? There’s only one standard that matters to me.”
Meanwhile, Alex turned pale at once. He asked with a catch in his voice, “Jewel, d-don’t you want to be with me?”
Jewel looked at the man in disappointment. She stepped back unconsciously, but her tears betrayed her. “Eight years ago, your mother stopped us from being together because of this. Why didn’t she mention this when I first met her? Why did you mess with me again and again despite knowing her objection? And now, you wantonly sling mud at my mother and me, taking advantage of the fact that I don’t. remember anything!
Well, let’s set aside the question of whether my mom really destroyed your family or not. Even if it was true, you should settle the score with the one you’re supposed to do so with! What right have you to treat me like this? I never took the initiative to mess with you; it was you who kept pestering me the whole time. What entitles you to want a breakup and then make it up with me as you please? What right do you have, Alex Road?!”
Staring at her in shock, Alex hurriedly explained, “No, I didn’t know about that until two months. ago! Had I known the truth earlier, I wouldn’t have dragged you into the same abyss of anguish that I’m now in, nor would I want to bully you! Jewel, I never wanted to break up. with you. Can we pretend this never happened? Let’s go back to the way we were, okay?”
Jewel let out a sneer. “Do you think we can return to how we used to be? I’ll get to the bottom of this. If this isn’t true, I’ll settle the score with you, Alex!” she said before turning around to leave. Alarmed, Alex immediately threw his arms around her. “Don’t go, Jewel-”
Jewel broke free of his grasp. She said coldly, “We broke up already. Please keep your distance from me!” Alex froze on the spot. He said in a pleading voice, “Jewel, I admit that I only considered my feelings and ignored you. But my initial purpose in doing so was all about not wanting you to know these annoying matters.”
Jewel laughed tearfully. “Look, now you already think you’re taking all the crap alone to create a peaceful environment for me. But who told you that I wouldn’t feel troubled, aggrieved, and distressed as long as I didn’t know about this? | rejected you again and again, yet you insisted that I wait for you, and you ignored me for over two months. Do you know what I think about every single day? I’m not the one who caused your misery today, but my misery is caused by you and your family!”
Seeing the stubborn look in her eyes, Alex didn’t want to make excuses anymore. “Sorry, Jewel. It’s all my fault, I’ve hurt you on the pretext of doing so for your own good. I was wrong to do that, and I promise that I’ll tell you everything at once from now on. Can’t we find a way together?”
Jewel replied, “No, it’s not necessary. Whatever you do from now on, it has nothing to do with me anymore!” Then, she tried to leave again.
Alex pulled her into his arms. He pleaded in an imploring voice, ‘No, Jewel! Give me a chance. Let’s start all over again, okay?”
Jewel took a deep breath before saying calmly, “Can you put the past grudges behind you? Can your mother accept me? Even if you two can do that, I don’t want to be with you while carrying the burden of my mother’s bad name as a homewrecker! Alex, I don’t want to find out who was right and who was wrong anymore. All I want is to get to the bottom of this. Just let me take a look at the material that your mother found out back then. At least I want to know what my mother’s name was and what she looked like!”
