“Okay,” Eugene answered. “We’ll do as you say.”
Meanwhile, Nathan’s mind went blank for three minutes after hanging up on Olivia. He studied the screenshot she had sent him again and again, unable to believe that everything that happened last night was a setup by his family.
That explained why he was so wasted when he had barely drunk any alcohol, why his cell phone was turned off, and why they wouldn’t let him leave no matter what. They even said that they would consider his relationship with Halma after he attended the party. As it turned out, all of that was just excuses.
Hmph, and here I thought that they would let me have my way. So, they merely resorted to a more despicable plan to bend me to their will. Oh, I’m so mad right now! he thought. He was so furious that he figured that if he was a cartoon character, he would have wisps of smoke shooting out his head like an overworked chimney.
Fortunately, the viral news was removed in record time. Otherwise, he truly didn’t know how to defend himself and make people believe his claims. When he recalled Olivia’s words, he couldn’t help but break out in cold sweat. If Halma finds out about this… I can’t imagine how things will turn out.
So, he hastily grabbed his phone and called Halma’s number right away. Alas, she didn’t pick up his call. It was a repeat of the Melanie incident all over again! Halma treated him like that too-she didn’t hang up or block his number but merely refused to pick up his calls.
I’m done for! Earlier, Nathan still dared to harbor a flicker of hope, thinking that maybe Halma just hadn’t noticed it was him calling, but now, he was absolutely certain that she had found out about this. If she hadn’t, she would have answered his call. Frustration washed over him as he angrily ran his fingers across his scalp before getting up to change.
Half an hour later, he showed up at Halma’s door. Unfortunately, no one came out to open the door for him even after he abused the poor doorbell in his haste to make things right between them.
He was utterly out of his wits as he started to explain himself at the door, “Open the door, Halma. I can explain! Things are not what you think they are! Open up. Halma, I wasn’t unfaithful. Open up and let’s talk face-to-face, okay? Even if you’re going to give me the death sentence, you should at least give me a chance to plead my case, shouldn’t you? I didn’t know that my mom even looked for you, but what she said only represented herself, not me. Don’t you know who I love in my heart? Halma, will you please open the door?”
He went on and on at the door for an hour, but no matter what he said and how many times he called on the phone, there was no response within the house.
Nathan could feel his brain melting at the rate he was going as he shouted at the door again, “Halma, I know you’re home! It’s my fault that I couldn’t give you a sense of security, but I’ve never done anything unfaithful to you. I never spent the night with that woman. Wait and see, I’ll prove to you that I’m telling the truth.” After that, he spun around and left.
Meanwhile, Halma remained as still as stone as she sat on the couch, not uttering a single word. There wasn’t even the slightest change in her eyes, and she couldn’t really sort out her own emotions. Compared to Olivia’s anger, she was sad, disappointed, and even relieved; the only thing she didn’t feel was anger. Maybe she was already numb to everything.
Nonetheless, she had the urge to slap herself to awaken her stubborn self. She knew that they were from different worlds from the very beginning, but she insisted on pursuing this relationship; she was well aware that they were not suited for each other but went against Heaven’s will, insisting that she knew better.
How could she not have known that something was amiss last night? She was aware that something had prevented Nathan from attending. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have missed out on Olivia and Eugene’s marriage registration party. Well, at least now I actually know whether I’m on the right path. He was getting busy with another woman because ! refused to take our relationship to the next level. Fine, then!
While Halma could understand that he had decided to seek comfort from another like- minded woman, she couldn’t understand why he bothered to explain himself to her after doing something like that.
He didn’t spend the night with that woman and still likes me, eh? I’m already twenty-eight, not eighteen! I’m way past the age of being easily taken in by some sweet talk. Did he think that I’m so easy to fool? He’s just another run-of-the-mill playboy, or perhaps, trash who likes to keep his d*ck wet more than staying loyal to just one woman.
Of course, there was a possibility that he had no other choice but to come here and comfort her because it didn’t occur to him that the video of him and the woman would end up on the Internet. Regardless, when he saw that she remained utterly unmoved by his efforts, he naturally left just as she thought he would.
