Chapter 25%
Before I left, I went to the hospital one last time for a check–up. When the doctor told me I was completely cured, I finally felt at ease.
I hadn’t been sick for long and I got treatment in time, so a few rounds of medication had been enough to almost fully recover. The exchange program lasted a week and I was lying exhausted on the hotel bed.
Suddenly, I felt a little emotional. It turned out that being an influential businesswoman was tiring. Although Julie was awful, she was undeniably capable.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. I looked up in confusion. Could it be Lincoln again?}
He’d been trying to get me to hang out daily, coming up with excuses. One day, it was a local specialty restaurant; the next, it was sightseeing.
With my eyes closed, I could guess what he wanted, but I only cared about focusing on my career right now.
Maybe I’d been too hurt by the Ferguson brothers, but the romance didn’t interest me anymore.”
Even after I turned him down, Lincoln looked a little disheartened. Still, he quickly bounced back with determination in his eyes.”
He looked at me like a wet–eyed puppy and said, “I know what you’ve been through and even if you don’t like me now, I’m not giving up.“} “Suzanne, I’ll always be on your side no matter what.”
Lincoln’s words did touch me somewhat, but I still turned him down.”
After all, I had heard countless sweet nothings like these before and none of them had ever come true.}
With a sigh, I got up to answer the door, silently deducting a few points from Lincoln in my mind.}
It was already 10 p.m. We were all exhausted. If he genuinely liked me, he wouldn’t pick this hour to knock on my door.”
But when I opened the door, I was stunned by who stood there.
“Simon?” I asked, unsure.
His hair was a mess, his face covered in stubble and his clothes were so torn they were practically hanging off him. He looked like a beggar.”
I wouldn’t have recognized him if I couldn’t still make out a faint resemblance to Simon beneath all the dirt.
“Suzanne, can I come in?” His voice was hoarse and raspy.”
I hesitated but eventually stepped aside to let him in.
Just as he was about to sit on the sofa, still covered in mud and dust, I instinctively stopped him.
Realizing where I was looking, Simon glanced down at himself and let out a bitter laugh.}
“Sorry for dirtying your place.“}
Like a child who had done something wrong, Simon stood awkwardly in the corner, looking at me. “Suzanne, I’m sorry.””
“I saw the security footage. I know now that it was Julie behind it all. I’m sorry, I … “I
“No need to say more,” I interrupted coldly.}
“If you came to apologize, I’m telling you now. I forgive you.”}]
I looked at the dirt–covered mess he was and forced myself not to gag from the smell.}
“You can leave now.”>
“No, Suzanne, I’m not going.”
Simon’s eyes were bloodshot as he tried to step closer but stopped himself when he noticed the muddy footprints he was leaving on the clean floor.
He forced a smile that looked worse than crying.”
“Aren’t you curious how I ended up like this?“}
After a moment of thought, I finally remembered why the location on the invitation had seemed familiar a few days ago.
This was the same city Simon had moved to after he went abroad.
I shook my head and said quietly, “I already told you your life has nothing to do with me anymor
