off a cliff

chapter 5

In order to prevent me from refusing to meet, early the next morning, the car sent by my father was already waiting downstairs.

I put on my ring and the gift from Ryan and went downstairs to get in the car.

My parents were waiting at Ryan's house.

As soon as they saw me come in, they sighed and said, "It was just a quarrel. How could you casually say something like not getting married?"

Ryan's mother also advised me:

“Ryan has been sensitive since he was a child. He didn't mean to ignore you.”

“He doesn't know how to express his unhappiness.”

“I've sent someone to find him. I'll let him come back here in two days.”

I was doubting myself.

I kept sending him messages.

Ryan had left the country.

Is he afraid I'll find him?

My voice trembled as I asked, “Since he doesn't want to see me, I would like to trouble you two to convey my meaning on my behalf.”

"This marriage must be cancelled.

“Here are the ring and gifts he sent."

Before Ryan's parents could speak, my father suddenly slapped the table: "The news of your marriage has spread all over this city. And the two families have already had close business contacts."

"Grace White, what are you fussing about!"

I wanted to laugh.

Ryan and I were both unwanted children.

Now the engagement is broken, it's a big deal for both families.

Ryan's mother looked at everyone and was about to speak.

I looked at her and said, “I didn't lose my temper. I don't want to marry him.”

My dad slapped me as soon as I spoke.

He hit me so hard I fell over.

Ryan's mother was shocked. "Mr. White, how could you hit your child?”

Ryan's father made him sit down by pulling on his shirt.

He was angry and smiled.

“The child is too willful. I was also in a hurry.”

I brushed my hair behind my ear and said, “Dad, I can't stand this life because of you.”

My dad should understand Ryan.

He was like this too.

He gets angry for no reason.

When he gets angry, he ignores people or makes a fuss.

Waiting for someone to calm him down.

It's like Ryan.

I was scared of what would upset him.

I was afraid of what I had done wrong.

I wanted to go and apologise to him.

He had already adjusted his emotions.

It was as if nothing had happened.

I spent my childhood in such trepidation.

So much so that by the time Ryan had his first cold war with me,

my first reaction was to reflect on myself and then go and coax him.

Then later, Ryan revealed his neglected childhood to me.

I felt sorry for him.

Ryan's mum gave me an ice pack.

She sighed and tried to advise me, “Miss White—”

Leon interrupted her, "Mom, for so many years, you and Dad have only had a cold war once."

"After that time, no matter how earth - shattering things were, you never had a cold war again."

"You said that the cold war is the most hurtful to feelings and people."

Seeing him tell my parents what happened at home.

Ryan’s father cleared his throat, warning.

Leon ignored it and continued, “You all know Ryan's character clearly.”

"Obviously unhappy, but still insisting on waiting for her to guess."

"Since she couldn't guess correctly, Ryan left her out in the heavy rain and even declared that no one was allowed to let her in."

"Do you really want to see him ruin a nice girl?"

I felt angry and sad.

Apparently, what Leon says is more effective than mine.

As soon as he said this, my father's expression softened a great deal: "Even so, but..."

He deliberately didn't finish his sentence.

He just wanted to say that the interests of the two families were of utmost importance.

There was no need to break off the engagement just because of such a trifle and spoil the cooperation between the two families.

Without hesitation, Leon said, "Then change the person."

A flash of understanding passed through Ryan's mother's eyes.

She looked at me with a gentle expression: "Grace, what do you think about this?"

I shook my head: "No."

That day, I deliberately waited until the end of the birthday banquet to give Leon a present.

I was afraid that giving a present in public would lead to gossip.

But soon after that, Ryan went abroad immediately.

The rumor that I had transferred my love to Leon spread rapidly all at once.

It was also said that because of this, Ryan had neglected me and left the country in a rage.

There were only three of us present that day.

Besides Ryan, who else could it be?

He wanted to force me to explain to him and coax him in this way.