Chapter 2
1045 Words
My parents got divorced when I was very young.
My mother raised me alone, and we struggled to make ends meet. Although she was strict with me, I could clearly feel her love.
But she died when I was in high school.
Perhaps because I lacked care, I quickly fell head over heels for the gentle and handsome Miles.
He said, "I'll always be here for you. No matter what happens, you can rely on me,"
"You're not alone anymore, Yolanda."
To show my appreciation for his love, I started trying hard to be an excellent girlfriend.
He liked long, flowing hair, so I let my hair grow out for years. He liked girls with delicate skin, so I made time for beauty treatments every month. He liked slim waists, so I'd restrict myself to one meal a day...
Later, I was surprised to discover that Sofia possessed all these characteristics.
I couldn't help but ask him what was going on, and Miles calmly said, "Aren't these traits common in all attractive girls? You're reading too much into it just because Sofia is good-looking."
He was too calm, always wearing that nonchalant expression, no matter when.
It only highlighted my messiness and embarrassment.
Only when Sofia was in danger would he become anxious and tremble all over.
On this day, Miles also came back.
He looked at me and said, "Why didn't you tell me you were discharged from the hospital? I could have seen you off."
Truly hilarious.
He was right next door and couldn't be bothered to notice I had been discharged.
I said, "I won't trouble you anymore."
"You're not still angry because I saved Sofia, are you?"
Miles's handsome eyebrows furrowed.
"She's my sister-in-law. How could I possibly have other thoughts about her? Do you really think so little of me?"
I shook my head. "What's the point of telling you? One word from Sofia, and you'd rush back to her side. In the end, I'd still be alone,"
"So, can we drop this pointless conversation? I don't want to argue."
Miles clearly didn't expect me to be so calm.
Previously, whenever Sofia was mentioned, I would get very emotional, either crying or making a scene.
Now I suddenly seemed to have let it go, and he felt a bit uncomfortable.
Probably out of guilt, he personally cooked lunch, preparing a table full of delicious dishes for me.
Miles ladled a bowl of soup for me and said softly, "Let's cancel our engagement ceremony for now. Although Sofia has been discharged from the hospital, she's still not feeling well and can't attend the banquet."
"We'll hold the ceremony after she fully recovers."
The previously appetizing food suddenly turned bitter.
I realized why Miles had suddenly changed his attitude and started taking care of me again.
It turned out everything was still for Sofia's sake.
It was supposed to be our engagement ceremony, yet it depended on whether Sofia could attend. Someone might mistake her for his fiancée.
But it doesn't matter, this actually works out perfectly for me.
Seeing that I agreed without hesitation, Miles leaned in and kissed my forehead.
"Yolanda, I knew you were the most understanding and wouldn't fuss over these things with Sofia, who's like a little sister."
I smiled and said nothing more.
When a woman stops fighting and demanding, it's not because she's become more magnanimous.
It's because she has lost all hope.
*****
That night, a sudden heavy rainstorm broke out, with thunder and lightning.
Miles and I were lying in bed when he suddenly reached out and embraced me.
The warm, broad embrace startled me for a moment.
But I no longer felt the butterflies in my stomach like I used to.
He rested his chin on my shoulder and softly called my name, "Yolanda..."
His hot breath on my skin, I knew what this meant.
Sure enough, the next moment his hand was gently caressing my abdomen, about to lift my shirt.
I pressed down on his hand, directly refusing. "I'm very tired and not in the mood for this."
Miles clearly didn't expect me to say this, and his movements paused.
"Hasn't your body fully recovered? I just missed you."
I pushed him away abruptly.
In the darkness, I stared intently into his eyes by the moonlight. "Do I need to spell it out for you?"
"Your behavior with Sofia makes me sick, so please don't touch me."
Miles's expression changed suddenly. "Are you still obsessing over this? If you're trying to get my attention, this is too childish."
"I'm not. I just can't trust your words anymore."
"Then what do you want me to do?"
I looked at him seriously. "Between me and Sofia, you've never chosen me once."
Miles rubbed his brow. "Those were all coincidences... Next time, I swear I'll choose you."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the phone rang urgently.
Miles glanced at the caller ID, his expression becoming slightly uneasy.
It was Sofia calling.
I could hear her sweet, delicate voice on the other end, as if she was about to cry.
"Miles, where are you? There's thunder, and I'm so scared being alone."
"I'm embarrassed to bother other friends. Could you please come keep me company? If Yolanda doesn't want you to, just forget I asked."
Miles looked at me, sheepishly rubbing his nose.
In the end, he still said, "Don't be afraid, I'm coming over right now."
An expected answer.
I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
Miles held my hand, saying with difficulty, "Yolanda, Sofia is really afraid of thunder. She just got out of the hospital and is still weak. I need to go keep her company."
"It's the first time I've heard of a woman insisting on spending the night alone with her elder brother-in-law."
I yanked my hand away.
"If you want to go, I can't stop you. You're always like this anyway, making promises you can't keep."
Miles sighed, "I'll explain when I come back."
Then he quickly threw on his clothes and left.
Watching his retreating figure, my heart sank to the pit of my stomach.
It's just as well.
When I take my revenge on them, I won't feel an ounce of guilt.
- Writer
