Chapter 3 Counterattack
1256 Words
Annabelle had a tough time after leaving me. Over the years, all the resources and money came from me.
With the engagement party turning out so gloomy, my parents weren't fools.
Cut off from her main financial source, she had no choice but to rely on her job that paid around four to five thousand dollars a month.
Having always lived extravagantly, she couldn't accept this reality.
One ordinary afternoon, Annabelle walked into my office.
Seeing the smile on her face, I was momentarily taken aback.
For a split second, I thought we had gone back to the days before Benjamin left Zoldhood—simple, yet happy.
She was carrying two shopping bags from a well-known men's clothing brand.
There was a hint of awkwardness in Annabelle's gaze when she glanced at me. "Matthew! The season's changing, and you can't wear your old clothes anymore. I spent the whole afternoon shopping, bought you a few things. You should try them on to see if they fit!"
If it were before, I would have greeted her with a smile and opened my arms.
But now, I just sat there comfortably in my chair, with no intention of getting up.
Annabelle's hand hung awkwardly in mid-air. After a few seconds, seeing that I wasn't moving, she quickly pulled the clothes from the bag and handed them to me. "Try them on! I picked them out based on your tastes!"
Seeing Annabelle so careful and tentative, I couldn't help but feel a rare sense of guilt and sympathy.
I began to wonder if I had been too harsh.
But the moment the clothes were in my hands, any trace of gratitude vanished.
All that remained was a chill.
The clothes were a size smaller than what I needed; I couldn't even fit into them.
It was like they were made for Benjamin's body.
So, her idea of spending the afternoon shopping was really just a sweet date with him, and she'd bought me a couple of clothes to get rid of me.
‘Am I that cheap?’ I thought.
I sighed deeply. "These clothes are too small. I can't wear them."
Annabelle froze, muttering to herself. "Impossible... Benjamin said..."
It seemed she realized she had let something slip, and her eyes snapped to mine.
I had already closed my eyes, not wanting to deal with her any longer.
For all this time, I had always been accommodating to her. She never once lowered her head or apologized.
Buying me clothes had probably drained all her patience.
Seeing that I was still ignoring her, Annabelle finally snapped. She threw the clothes onto the floor with force. "What do you want from me? I've already apologized. What else do you want me to do?"
I paused my typing, speaking in a calm, distant voice. "Cut ties with Benjamin. Never contact him again."
Annabelle's face changed. She instinctively shook her head.
I had already known this would be the outcome, and I never really held any hope.
I glanced at my watch. "Ms. King, if you're done here, you can leave. I have a meeting this afternoon."
Seeing that I truly had no feelings for her anymore, she panicked.
She rushed forward and grabbed my hand.
"No... no! Don't you remember? On the day we got together, you promised to protect me for life! How can you just abandon me like this?"
I looked into her eyes, my heart calm and unmoved. "Back then, you also promised you'd never have anything to do with Benjamin again. Didn't you lie to me first?"
She was speechless. The room was silent.
After a long pause, Annabelle picked up her bag and left.
Perhaps it was because my attitude last time was so firm, or maybe because I gave her a hefty amount for the breakup settlement, but for almost half a month, Annabelle didn't bother me at all.
For once, I had a rare moment of peace.
I was happy about it, but my mom certainly wasn't.
She's at that age where she's had all the pleasures life can offer, and her only wish now is to hold her grandchildren and enjoy the bliss of family life at home.
But here I am, still single and suddenly back on the market.
The grandson she had been hoping for slipped right through her fingers, and now she's desperately calling me, urging me to go on blind dates.
I couldn't keep avoiding her, so I agreed to meet someone just to explain the situation and then slip away.
Sitting in the coffee shop, I silently thought about how to explain that I was forced into this.
Suddenly, a sweet voice cut through my thoughts. "You haven't changed a bit over the years. You're still exactly the same as before."
I froze, my heart skipping a beat. I looked up in shock.
The woman in front of me was dressed in a professional outfit, her eyes sparkling. In that moment, she reminded me of the girl from back in school—the one who used to drool while sleeping.
To reunite like this under these circumstances, I was so stunned that my mouth hung open. "Madelyn Moore! What are you doing here?"
She chuckled and sat down gracefully across from me. "I came here for the same reason you did. At first, I was going to turn it down, but then my mom showed me your picture, and I couldn't say no."
The fact that my blind date turned out to be my childhood desk mate still hadn't fully sunk in.
Before I could process it, I heard her teasing words, and my ears turned completely red. "I was going to refuse too... but maybe this is fate..."
However, Madelyn shook her head firmly. "It's not fate! I specifically asked my mom to contact your mom!"
I was stunned. "What?"
She didn't say anything but smiled and pulled a small rabbit keychain out of her bag.
It was something we made together in craft class. Back then, she wasn't nearly as gentle as she is now.
She used to be the one who would raise her fist and threaten to hit me whenever she got annoyed.
I covered my head and complained, "Who would marry you? You'd beat me up every day!"
She didn't seem bothered and just huffed. "If no one else will, then you marry me! You've already gotten used to me hitting you anyway!"
I closed my eyes. "Alright! I'll marry you, is that okay?"
The past flooded back to me, and I was momentarily at a loss for words.
We were well-matched in terms of family background and work. Back then, our parents even joked about arranging a marriage for us.
If I hadn't met Annabelle later on, we might have really ended up together.
But now, so many years have passed. I had no idea how she felt.
After all, I was already engaged, and I never thought I was good enough for her.
Then, just as I was lost in my thoughts, her tentative voice broke through. "I came today to ask you something... what I said back in craft class... does it still count? What you said... does it still count?"
Bang!
My heart skipped a beat, thundering in my chest.
Now, Madelyn, successful and a seasoned player in the business world, was blushing as she waited for my answer.
My heart felt like it was about to leap out of my throat. "I..."
"Matthew! What are you doing here?!"
- Writer
