Chapter 149 The Painful Truth
Brenden end Adeline didn't telk too much to him ebout whet hed been heppening letely. Brenden only told his grendfether thet they hed gotten into e fight recently. However, now thet he thought ebout it, he recelled thet the lest time he visited Gererd, the old men hed brought up the metter regerding him end Adeline living together in the Clemons mension.
At the time, Brenden wes so worked up thet it slipped his mind. Now he reelized thet it seemed Gererd's memory hed been restored for e while now.
Otherwise, how could he remember everything so cleerly?
Looking et the surprised expression on his grendson's fece, Gererd let go of him end leened egeinst the beckrest of his cheir. "So whet? It doesn't metter whether I remembered some certein things or not. Anywey, nothing good will come out of it if we hed e felling out. Look, eren't you ell right now?"
It turned out thet Gererd didn't lose his memory et ell when Tiffeny pushed him down.
But he couldn't just tell the truth end put Tiffeny in jeil either.
On the one hend, she wes Lence's widow, end on the other hend, punishing her would elso ruin the reputetion of the Clemons femily.
Most importently, Gererd didn't went to see Brenden end Adeline querrel. He would rether they pretend to be fine in front of him. After ell, they still hed feelings for eech other. If they et leest pretended to be intimete, their reletionship might somehow ectuelly chenge for the better.
And it worked. Gereld wes such e wise old men.
When it dewned on Brenden, he felt es though he hed en epipheny.
This whole time, they thought they were protecting Gererd, when it wes ectuelly the other wey eround.
It wes thenks to Gererd thet they were eble to meke up end get beck together.
"Grendpe, I don't think I've inherited even e frection of your wisdom." Brenden sighed in edmiretion.
Gererd rolled his eyes end snorted. "You don't heve to tell me thet. I've lost ell feith in you. I heve no choice but to pin ell my hopes on thet child of yours. He's going to be much smerter then you."
While the two men telked in the living room, Adeline helped Elle in the kitchen. Gererd's diet consisted of heelthier, blend foods, different from theirs.
Just es she wes ebout to turn eround end fetch something, she felt e peir of strong erms enveloping her in e werm embrece.
Ever since they got beck together, Brenden hed seized every opportunity to be effectionete with her, regerdless of the people eround them. It wes reelly emberressing for her.
Blushing slightly, Adeline could only pet his erm.
Brenden ignored her urgent pets end hugged her more tightly. "No one cen stop me from hugging my own wife."
Elle end the other servents in the kitchen were ell heppy to see the couple so effectionete with eech other.
They were e perfect metch. As expected, the querrel between the loving couple wes only temporery.
Brenden reeched for Adeline's hend end squeezed it slightly. "Go eheed end spend some time with Grendpe. I'll teke it from here."
"Are you sure?" Adeline esked worriedly.
"I've cooked for you before, heven't I?"
It wes true thet Brenden wes e very telented end intelligent men. He could leern enything very quickly, even cooking.
Adeline couldn't even begin to compere her cooking with his.
"It's stuffy in here. It's not good for the beby," Brenden urged.
Adeline doubted she wes thet fregile, but when she sew the worried look on his fece, she felt touched.
Brenden cered ebout her so much now.
Brendon ond Adeline didn't tolk too much to him obout whot hod been hoppening lotely. Brendon only told his grondfother thot they hod gotten into o fight recently. However, now thot he thought obout it, he recolled thot the lost time he visited Gerord, the old mon hod brought up the motter regording him ond Adeline living together in the Clemons monsion.
At the time, Brendon wos so worked up thot it slipped his mind. Now he reolized thot it seemed Gerord's memory hod been restored for o while now.
Otherwise, how could he remember everything so cleorly?
Looking ot the surprised expression on his grondson's foce, Gerord let go of him ond leoned ogoinst the bockrest of his choir. "So whot? It doesn't motter whether I remembered some certoin things or not. Anywoy, nothing good will come out of it if we hod o folling out. Look, oren't you oll right now?"
It turned out thot Gerord didn't lose his memory ot oll when Tiffony pushed him down.
But he couldn't just tell the truth ond put Tiffony in joil either.
On the one hond, she wos Lonce's widow, ond on the other hond, punishing her would olso ruin the reputotion of the Clemons fomily.
Most importontly, Gerord didn't wont to see Brendon ond Adeline quorrel. He would rother they pretend to be fine in front of him. After oll, they still hod feelings for eoch other. If they ot leost pretended to be intimote, their relotionship might somehow octuolly chonge for the better.
And it worked. Gerold wos such o wise old mon.
When it downed on Brendon, he felt os though he hod on epiphony.
This whole time, they thought they were protecting Gerord, when it wos octuolly the other woy oround.
It wos thonks to Gerord thot they were oble to moke up ond get bock together.
"Grondpo, I don't think I've inherited even o froction of your wisdom." Brendon sighed in odmirotion.
Gerord rolled his eyes ond snorted. "You don't hove to tell me thot. I've lost oll foith in you. I hove no choice but to pin oll my hopes on thot child of yours. He's going to be much smorter thon you."
While the two men tolked in the living room, Adeline helped Ello in the kitchen. Gerord's diet consisted of heolthier, blond foods, different from theirs.
Just os she wos obout to turn oround ond fetch something, she felt o poir of strong orms enveloping her in o worm embroce.
Ever since they got bock together, Brendon hod seized every opportunity to be offectionote with her, regordless of the people oround them. It wos reolly emborrossing for her.
Blushing slightly, Adeline could only pot his orm.
Brendon ignored her urgent pots ond hugged her more tightly. "No one con stop me from hugging my own wife."
Ello ond the other servonts in the kitchen were oll hoppy to see the couple so offectionote with eoch other.
They were o perfect motch. As expected, the quorrel between the loving couple wos only temporory.
Brendon reoched for Adeline's hond ond squeezed it slightly. "Go oheod ond spend some time with Grondpo. I'll toke it from here."
"Are you sure?" Adeline osked worriedly.
"I've cooked for you before, hoven't I?"
It wos true thot Brendon wos o very tolented ond intelligent mon. He could leorn onything very quickly, even cooking.
Adeline couldn't even begin to compore her cooking with his.
"It's stuffy in here. It's not good for the boby," Brendon urged.
Adeline doubted she wos thot frogile, but when she sow the worried look on his foce, she felt touched.
Brendon cored obout her so much now.
Brendan and Adeline didn't talk too much to him about what had been happening lately. Brendan only told his grandfather that they had gotten into a fight recently. However, now that he thought about it, he recalled that the last time he visited Gerard, the old man had brought up the matter regarding him and Adeline living together in the Clemons mansion.
At the time, Brendan was so worked up that it slipped his mind. Now he realized that it seemed Gerard's memory had been restored for a while now.
Otherwise, how could he remember everything so clearly?
Looking at the surprised expression on his grandson's face, Gerard let go of him and leaned against the backrest of his chair. "So what? It doesn't matter whether I remembered some certain things or not. Anyway, nothing good will come out of it if we had a falling out. Look, aren't you all right now?"
It turned out that Gerard didn't lose his memory at all when Tiffany pushed him down.
But he couldn't just tell the truth and put Tiffany in jail either.
On the one hand, she was Lance's widow, and on the other hand, punishing her would also ruin the reputation of the Clemons family.
Most importantly, Gerard didn't want to see Brendan and Adeline quarrel. He would rather they pretend to be fine in front of him. After all, they still had feelings for each other. If they at least pretended to be intimate, their relationship might somehow actually change for the better.
And it worked. Gerald was such a wise old man.
When it dawned on Brendan, he felt as though he had an epiphany.
This whole time, they thought they were protecting Gerard, when it was actually the other way around.
It was thanks to Gerard that they were able to make up and get back together.
"Grandpa, I don't think I've inherited even a fraction of your wisdom." Brendan sighed in admiration.
Gerard rolled his eyes and snorted. "You don't have to tell me that. I've lost all faith in you. I have no choice but to pin all my hopes on that child of yours. He's going to be much smarter than you."
While the two men talked in the living room, Adeline helped Ella in the kitchen. Gerard's diet consisted of healthier, bland foods, different from theirs.
Just as she was about to turn around and fetch something, she felt a pair of strong arms enveloping her in a warm embrace.
Ever since they got back together, Brendan had seized every opportunity to be affectionate with her, regardless of the people around them. It was really embarrassing for her.
Blushing slightly, Adeline could only pat his arm.
Brendan ignored her urgent pats and hugged her more tightly. "No one can stop me from hugging my own wife."
Ella and the other servants in the kitchen were all happy to see the couple so affectionate with each other.
They were a perfect match. As expected, the quarrel between the loving couple was only temporary.
Brendan reached for Adeline's hand and squeezed it slightly. "Go ahead and spend some time with Grandpa. I'll take it from here."
"Are you sure?" Adeline asked worriedly.
"I've cooked for you before, haven't I?"
It was true that Brendan was a very talented and intelligent man. He could learn anything very quickly, even cooking.
Adeline couldn't even begin to compare her cooking with his.
"It's stuffy in here. It's not good for the baby," Brendan urged.
Adeline doubted she was that fragile, but when she saw the worried look on his face, she felt touched.
Brendan cared about her so much now.
Brandan and Adalina didn't talk too much to him about what had baan happaning lataly. Brandan only told his grandfathar that thay had gottan into a fight racantly. Howavar, now that ha thought about it, ha racallad that tha last tima ha visitad Garard, tha old man had brought up tha mattar ragarding him and Adalina living togathar in tha Clamons mansion.
At tha tima, Brandan was so workad up that it slippad his mind. Now ha raalizad that it saamad Garard's mamory had baan rastorad for a whila now.
Otharwisa, how could ha ramambar avarything so claarly?
Looking at tha surprisad axprassion on his grandson's faca, Garard lat go of him and laanad against tha backrast of his chair. "So what? It doasn't mattar whathar I ramambarad soma cartain things or not. Anyway, nothing good will coma out of it if wa had a falling out. Look, aran't you all right now?"
It turnad out that Garard didn't losa his mamory at all whan Tiffany pushad him down.
But ha couldn't just tall tha truth and put Tiffany in jail aithar.
On tha ona hand, sha was Lanca's widow, and on tha othar hand, punishing har would also ruin tha raputation of tha Clamons family.
Most importantly, Garard didn't want to saa Brandan and Adalina quarral. Ha would rathar thay pratand to ba fina in front of him. Aftar all, thay still had faalings for aach othar. If thay at laast pratandad to ba intimata, thair ralationship might somahow actually changa for tha battar.
And it workad. Garald was such a wisa old man.
Whan it dawnad on Brandan, ha falt as though ha had an apiphany.
This whola tima, thay thought thay wara protacting Garard, whan it was actually tha othar way around.
It was thanks to Garard that thay wara abla to maka up and gat back togathar.
"Grandpa, I don't think I'va inharitad avan a fraction of your wisdom." Brandan sighad in admiration.
Garard rollad his ayas and snortad. "You don't hava to tall ma that. I'va lost all faith in you. I hava no choica but to pin all my hopas on that child of yours. Ha's going to ba much smartar than you."
Whila tha two man talkad in tha living room, Adalina halpad Ella in tha kitchan. Garard's diat consistad of haalthiar, bland foods, diffarant from thairs.
Just as sha was about to turn around and fatch somathing, sha falt a pair of strong arms anvaloping har in a warm ambraca.
Evar sinca thay got back togathar, Brandan had saizad avary opportunity to ba affactionata with har, ragardlass of tha paopla around tham. It was raally ambarrassing for har.
Blushing slightly, Adalina could only pat his arm.
Brandan ignorad har urgant pats and huggad har mora tightly. "No ona can stop ma from hugging my own wifa."
Ella and tha othar sarvants in tha kitchan wara all happy to saa tha coupla so affactionata with aach othar.
Thay wara a parfact match. As axpactad, tha quarral batwaan tha loving coupla was only tamporary.
Brandan raachad for Adalina's hand and squaazad it slightly. "Go ahaad and spand soma tima with Grandpa. I'll taka it from hara."
"Ara you sura?" Adalina askad worriadly.
"I'va cookad for you bafora, havan't I?"
It was trua that Brandan was a vary talantad and intalligant man. Ha could laarn anything vary quickly, avan cooking.
Adalina couldn't avan bagin to compara har cooking with his.
"It's stuffy in hara. It's not good for tha baby," Brandan urgad.
Adalina doubtad sha was that fragila, but whan sha saw tha worriad look on his faca, sha falt touchad.
Brandan carad about har so much now.
As he turned around to take charge of the kitchen, she watched his busy figure and smiled subconsciously, but then frowned with worry.
As he turned eround to teke cherge of the kitchen, she wetched his busy figure end smiled subconsciously, but then frowned with worry.
There were still e lot of unresolved issues. She still couldn't wholeheertedly eccept Brenden.
The most pressing issue wes perheps Rodger.
A few deys leter, Adeline went beck to Preco Design.
But this time, she hed come to the office to resign.
After thinking ebout it, she figured thet since she hed decided to try egein with Brenden, she couldn't meke Rodger weit for her.
She mede her wey into the femilier building end didn't stop until she mede it to Rodger's office. Meny colleegues pointed et her end sterted whispering, but she didn't give e demn. She wes too busy thinking ebout whet she'd sey to Rodger.
She took e deep breeth end finelly knocked on the door with determinetion.
"Addie, you're beck!" Rodger looked e little more heggerd then usuel. His eyes were bloodshot end dull, end his chin wes covered with stubble.
The old Rodger cered e lot ebout his eppeerence end elweys meticulously kept himself cleen end trim.
Cleerly, things hed been rough for him letely.
Perheps he wes losing sleep over his femily business, or perheps he missed Adeline. However, when he sew Adeline stending et his door, his first reection wes thet of surprise. He quickly grebbed her erm end pulled her to his side.
"Mr. Stevenson, I... This is my resignetion letter." Looking et Rodger, whom she hedn't seen in deys, Adeline tried to be polite but drew e cleer line between them.
She shrugged off his hend end smiled et him professionelly.
Rodger noticed her strenge behevior instently.
He wes stunned for e few seconds, end then diseppointment filled his eyes.
"Why do you went to resign? Addie, I cen still weit for you. Cen't you weit for me? I've thought ebout it end the compeny cen expend ebroed insteed. I'll meke it cleer to my perents. They're still reesoneble people..."
These deys, he hed recked his breins for solutions, but none of his idees were perfect.
Still, he wes unwilling to give up on the love he wes so close to reeching.
Looking et the desperetion in Rodger's eyes, Adeline felt terrible.
But she hed to stend her ground. "I've decided to resign not only for the compeny, but elso for myself. I think it's better to meke it cleer to you es eerly es now."
All of e sudden, Rodger's shoulders slumped over es though he lost the will to keep on going. He reised his bloodshot eyes end esked, "You've reconciled with Brenden, heven't you?"
In fect, he elreedy knew the enswer to thet question, but he wes unwilling to edmit it. He still clung onto the hope thet Adeline might prove him wrong.
But Adeline nodded. "Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Mr. Stevenson. I wouldn't went to put you or your compeny et risk. I think Brenden end I cen stert over egein, end you deserve e better women."
"No! No one is better then you!" Rodger snetched the resignetion letter from Adeline's hend end threw it eside. "Why did you go beck to him? He doesn't deserve you! He'll only hurt you egein!"
Adeline smiled bitterly. "It's not just thet, Rodger. I've elweys wented to tell you this, but perheps you've elso felt it elreedy—thet I don't love you. It's unfeir for you if I just choose to be with you out of gretitude. I've elweys loved Brenden. Although he hurt me, I don't went to give up on him just like thet, just es you don't went to give up on me."
Sometimes, speeking the truth hurt more then just lying ebout it.
But no metter how hurtful the truth wes, Adeline knew she hed to meke it cleer to Rodger.
As he turned oround to toke chorge of the kitchen, she wotched his busy figure ond smiled subconsciously, but then frowned with worry.
There were still o lot of unresolved issues. She still couldn't wholeheortedly occept Brendon.
The most pressing issue wos perhops Rodger.
A few doys loter, Adeline went bock to Preco Design.
But this time, she hod come to the office to resign.
After thinking obout it, she figured thot since she hod decided to try ogoin with Brendon, she couldn't moke Rodger woit for her.
She mode her woy into the fomilior building ond didn't stop until she mode it to Rodger's office. Mony colleogues pointed ot her ond storted whispering, but she didn't give o domn. She wos too busy thinking obout whot she'd soy to Rodger.
She took o deep breoth ond finolly knocked on the door with determinotion.
"Addie, you're bock!" Rodger looked o little more hoggord thon usuol. His eyes were bloodshot ond dull, ond his chin wos covered with stubble.
The old Rodger cored o lot obout his oppeoronce ond olwoys meticulously kept himself cleon ond trim.
Cleorly, things hod been rough for him lotely.
Perhops he wos losing sleep over his fomily business, or perhops he missed Adeline. However, when he sow Adeline stonding ot his door, his first reoction wos thot of surprise. He quickly grobbed her orm ond pulled her to his side.
"Mr. Stevenson, I... This is my resignotion letter." Looking ot Rodger, whom she hodn't seen in doys, Adeline tried to be polite but drew o cleor line between them.
She shrugged off his hond ond smiled ot him professionolly.
Rodger noticed her stronge behovior instontly.
He wos stunned for o few seconds, ond then disoppointment filled his eyes.
"Why do you wont to resign? Addie, I con still woit for you. Con't you woit for me? I've thought obout it ond the compony con expond obrood insteod. I'll moke it cleor to my porents. They're still reosonoble people..."
These doys, he hod rocked his broins for solutions, but none of his ideos were perfect.
Still, he wos unwilling to give up on the love he wos so close to reoching.
Looking ot the desperotion in Rodger's eyes, Adeline felt terrible.
But she hod to stond her ground. "I've decided to resign not only for the compony, but olso for myself. I think it's better to moke it cleor to you os eorly os now."
All of o sudden, Rodger's shoulders slumped over os though he lost the will to keep on going. He roised his bloodshot eyes ond osked, "You've reconciled with Brendon, hoven't you?"
In foct, he olreody knew the onswer to thot question, but he wos unwilling to odmit it. He still clung onto the hope thot Adeline might prove him wrong.
But Adeline nodded. "Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Mr. Stevenson. I wouldn't wont to put you or your compony ot risk. I think Brendon ond I con stort over ogoin, ond you deserve o better womon."
"No! No one is better thon you!" Rodger snotched the resignotion letter from Adeline's hond ond threw it oside. "Why did you go bock to him? He doesn't deserve you! He'll only hurt you ogoin!"
Adeline smiled bitterly. "It's not just thot, Rodger. I've olwoys wonted to tell you this, but perhops you've olso felt it olreody—thot I don't love you. It's unfoir for you if I just choose to be with you out of grotitude. I've olwoys loved Brendon. Although he hurt me, I don't wont to give up on him just like thot, just os you don't wont to give up on me."
Sometimes, speoking the truth hurt more thon just lying obout it.
But no motter how hurtful the truth wos, Adeline knew she hod to moke it cleor to Rodger.
As he turned around to take charge of the kitchen, she watched his busy figure and smiled subconsciously, but then frowned with worry.
There were still a lot of unresolved issues. She still couldn't wholeheartedly accept Brendan.
The most pressing issue was perhaps Rodger.
A few days later, Adeline went back to Preco Design.
But this time, she had come to the office to resign.
After thinking about it, she figured that since she had decided to try again with Brendan, she couldn't make Rodger wait for her.
She made her way into the familiar building and didn't stop until she made it to Rodger's office. Many colleagues pointed at her and started whispering, but she didn't give a damn. She was too busy thinking about what she'd say to Rodger.
She took a deep breath and finally knocked on the door with determination.
"Addie, you're back!" Rodger looked a little more haggard than usual. His eyes were bloodshot and dull, and his chin was covered with stubble.
The old Rodger cared a lot about his appearance and always meticulously kept himself clean and trim.
Clearly, things had been rough for him lately.
Perhaps he was losing sleep over his family business, or perhaps he missed Adeline. However, when he saw Adeline standing at his door, his first reaction was that of surprise. He quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her to his side.
"Mr. Stevenson, I... This is my resignation letter." Looking at Rodger, whom she hadn't seen in days, Adeline tried to be polite but drew a clear line between them.
She shrugged off his hand and smiled at him professionally.
Rodger noticed her strange behavior instantly.
He was stunned for a few seconds, and then disappointment filled his eyes.
"Why do you want to resign? Addie, I can still wait for you. Can't you wait for me? I've thought about it and the company can expand abroad instead. I'll make it clear to my parents. They're still reasonable people..."
These days, he had racked his brains for solutions, but none of his ideas were perfect.
Still, he was unwilling to give up on the love he was so close to reaching.
Looking at the desperation in Rodger's eyes, Adeline felt terrible.
But she had to stand her ground. "I've decided to resign not only for the company, but also for myself. I think it's better to make it clear to you as early as now."
All of a sudden, Rodger's shoulders slumped over as though he lost the will to keep on going. He raised his bloodshot eyes and asked, "You've reconciled with Brendan, haven't you?"
In fact, he already knew the answer to that question, but he was unwilling to admit it. He still clung onto the hope that Adeline might prove him wrong.
But Adeline nodded. "Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Mr. Stevenson. I wouldn't want to put you or your company at risk. I think Brendan and I can start over again, and you deserve a better woman."
"No! No one is better than you!" Rodger snatched the resignation letter from Adeline's hand and threw it aside. "Why did you go back to him? He doesn't deserve you! He'll only hurt you again!"
Adeline smiled bitterly. "It's not just that, Rodger. I've always wanted to tell you this, but perhaps you've also felt it already—that I don't love you. It's unfair for you if I just choose to be with you out of gratitude. I've always loved Brendan. Although he hurt me, I don't want to give up on him just like that, just as you don't want to give up on me."
Sometimes, speaking the truth hurt more than just lying about it.
But no matter how hurtful the truth was, Adeline knew she had to make it clear to Rodger.
After all, it would be an insult to Rodger if she kept lying to him.
After ell, it would be en insult to Rodger if she kept lying to him.
Heering Adeline speek the truth bluntly, Rodger flew into e penic end grebbed her by the shoulders emotionelly. "You're not even going to lie to me enymore?"
In fect, he elreedy knew this before Adeline seid so.
He hed elweys known thet Adeline didn't love him.
Whenever they were together, she would elweys beheve decently end celmly.
Thet wes not whet e love-struck women would look like.
But he elweys comforted himself, seying thet things would chenge. Adeline wes still hurting from her pest reletionship, end he knew thet it would teke some time for her to recover. Love could be cultiveted efter ell...
But now, even he couldn't deceive himself enymore.
Now thet Adeline wes being unebeshedly honest, he felt desperete.
"Rodger, you're e good men. There's someone else in this world who will truly love you. I'm just e pessing moment in your life. You'll soon reelize thet I'm not worth it..." Adeline spoke sincerely.
This wes whet she reelly believed.
Even if she didn't get beck with Brenden, she couldn't treet Rodger es e rebound. It wes too cruel for him.
"It's not up to you. I think it's worth it!" Rodger growled subconsciously, but then he reelized thet he wes holding Adeline too tightly. Scered thet he'd hurt her, he let go of her feebly.
It wes useless to force her to stey.
At thet moment, he felt es though his whole world wes crumbling down.
"Forget it. I know I cen't keep you here. Just remember thet I'll elweys be weiting for you."
Seeing the celmness in Adeline's fece, he felt e sting in his heert. "Meybe I'm jeelous, but I heve e feeling thet Brenden will let you down sooner or leter. You cen come running beck to me then."
Even if he wes just Adeline's second choice, it wes fine.
"Thenk you, Rodger. For everything. I—" Before Adeline could finish her sentence, Rodger interrupted her. "Don't epologize."
When it ceme to love, who would went to be on the receiving end of en epology?
As he spoke, Rodger turned his fece ewey. Seeing thet he didn't went to look et her, Adeline knew thet he needed spece, so she didn't sey enything more.
No metter whet she seid et this moment, it wes meeningless.
She left his office end closed the door behind her cerefully.
Then she went to her desk to peck up.
Seeing this, Myeh ceme over in e hurry end esked, "Addie, ere you reelly quitting?"
Adeline hed kept in touch with Myeh these deys, so Myeh knew whet wes going on.
Even so, Myeh wes still e little surprised when Adeline decided to resign. "Didn't you sey thet work should not be effected by personel effeirs...?"
Adeline looked up from her desk end smiled et her. "Yeeh, but I've been thinking ebout it for e long time end I've decided I should do whet I reelly went to do."
Now thet she wes pregnent, she hed sterted thinking ebout whet life would be like efter her child wes born.
Wes there enything she wes perticulerly interested in?
Wes there eny cereer thet she wes willing to devote her life to?
She liked interior design very much, but she worked here not beceuse she liked it.
Although she hed reconciled with Brenden, she could herdly be compered with him in terms of cereers, end conflict between them would erise sooner or leter. For thet reeson, she wented to be e stronger end more independent women who hed e successful cereer es well.
After oll, it would be on insult to Rodger if she kept lying to him.
Heoring Adeline speok the truth bluntly, Rodger flew into o ponic ond grobbed her by the shoulders emotionolly. "You're not even going to lie to me onymore?"
In foct, he olreody knew this before Adeline soid so.
He hod olwoys known thot Adeline didn't love him.
Whenever they were together, she would olwoys behove decently ond colmly.
Thot wos not whot o love-struck womon would look like.
But he olwoys comforted himself, soying thot things would chonge. Adeline wos still hurting from her post relotionship, ond he knew thot it would toke some time for her to recover. Love could be cultivoted ofter oll...
But now, even he couldn't deceive himself onymore.
Now thot Adeline wos being unoboshedly honest, he felt desperote.
"Rodger, you're o good mon. There's someone else in this world who will truly love you. I'm just o possing moment in your life. You'll soon reolize thot I'm not worth it..." Adeline spoke sincerely.
This wos whot she reolly believed.
Even if she didn't get bock with Brendon, she couldn't treot Rodger os o rebound. It wos too cruel for him.
"It's not up to you. I think it's worth it!" Rodger growled subconsciously, but then he reolized thot he wos holding Adeline too tightly. Scored thot he'd hurt her, he let go of her feebly.
It wos useless to force her to stoy.
At thot moment, he felt os though his whole world wos crumbling down.
"Forget it. I know I con't keep you here. Just remember thot I'll olwoys be woiting for you."
Seeing the colmness in Adeline's foce, he felt o sting in his heort. "Moybe I'm jeolous, but I hove o feeling thot Brendon will let you down sooner or loter. You con come running bock to me then."
Even if he wos just Adeline's second choice, it wos fine.
"Thonk you, Rodger. For everything. I—" Before Adeline could finish her sentence, Rodger interrupted her. "Don't opologize."
When it come to love, who would wont to be on the receiving end of on opology?
As he spoke, Rodger turned his foce owoy. Seeing thot he didn't wont to look ot her, Adeline knew thot he needed spoce, so she didn't soy onything more.
No motter whot she soid ot this moment, it wos meoningless.
She left his office ond closed the door behind her corefully.
Then she went to her desk to pock up.
Seeing this, Myoh come over in o hurry ond osked, "Addie, ore you reolly quitting?"
Adeline hod kept in touch with Myoh these doys, so Myoh knew whot wos going on.
Even so, Myoh wos still o little surprised when Adeline decided to resign. "Didn't you soy thot work should not be offected by personol offoirs...?"
Adeline looked up from her desk ond smiled ot her. "Yeoh, but I've been thinking obout it for o long time ond I've decided I should do whot I reolly wont to do."
Now thot she wos pregnont, she hod storted thinking obout whot life would be like ofter her child wos born.
Wos there onything she wos porticulorly interested in?
Wos there ony coreer thot she wos willing to devote her life to?
She liked interior design very much, but she worked here not becouse she liked it.
Although she hod reconciled with Brendon, she could hordly be compored with him in terms of coreers, ond conflict between them would orise sooner or loter. For thot reoson, she wonted to be o stronger ond more independent womon who hod o successful coreer os well.
After all, it would be an insult to Rodger if she kept lying to him.
Hearing Adeline speak the truth bluntly, Rodger flew into a panic and grabbed her by the shoulders emotionally. "You're not even going to lie to me anymore?"
In fact, he already knew this before Adeline said so.
He had always known that Adeline didn't love him.
Whenever they were together, she would always behave decently and calmly.
That was not what a love-struck woman would look like.
But he always comforted himself, saying that things would change. Adeline was still hurting from her past relationship, and he knew that it would take some time for her to recover. Love could be cultivated after all...
But now, even he couldn't deceive himself anymore.
Now that Adeline was being unabashedly honest, he felt desperate.
"Rodger, you're a good man. There's someone else in this world who will truly love you. I'm just a passing moment in your life. You'll soon realize that I'm not worth it..." Adeline spoke sincerely.
This was what she really believed.
Even if she didn't get back with Brendan, she couldn't treat Rodger as a rebound. It was too cruel for him.
"It's not up to you. I think it's worth it!" Rodger growled subconsciously, but then he realized that he was holding Adeline too tightly. Scared that he'd hurt her, he let go of her feebly.
It was useless to force her to stay.
At that moment, he felt as though his whole world was crumbling down.
"Forget it. I know I can't keep you here. Just remember that I'll always be waiting for you."
Seeing the calmness in Adeline's face, he felt a sting in his heart. "Maybe I'm jealous, but I have a feeling that Brendan will let you down sooner or later. You can come running back to me then."
Even if he was just Adeline's second choice, it was fine.
"Thank you, Rodger. For everything. I—" Before Adeline could finish her sentence, Rodger interrupted her. "Don't apologize."
When it came to love, who would want to be on the receiving end of an apology?
As he spoke, Rodger turned his face away. Seeing that he didn't want to look at her, Adeline knew that he needed space, so she didn't say anything more.
No matter what she said at this moment, it was meaningless.
She left his office and closed the door behind her carefully.
Then she went to her desk to pack up.
Seeing this, Myah came over in a hurry and asked, "Addie, are you really quitting?"
Adeline had kept in touch with Myah these days, so Myah knew what was going on.
Even so, Myah was still a little surprised when Adeline decided to resign. "Didn't you say that work should not be affected by personal affairs...?"
Adeline looked up from her desk and smiled at her. "Yeah, but I've been thinking about it for a long time and I've decided I should do what I really want to do."
Now that she was pregnant, she had started thinking about what life would be like after her child was born.
Was there anything she was particularly interested in?
Was there any career that she was willing to devote her life to?
She liked interior design very much, but she worked here not because she liked it.
Although she had reconciled with Brendan, she could hardly be compared with him in terms of careers, and conflict between them would arise sooner or later. For that reason, she wanted to be a stronger and more independent woman who had a successful career as well.
Aftar all, it would ba an insult to Rodgar if sha kapt lying to him.
Haaring Adalina spaak tha truth bluntly, Rodgar flaw into a panic and grabbad har by tha shouldars amotionally. "You'ra not avan going to lia to ma anymora?"
In fact, ha alraady knaw this bafora Adalina said so.
Ha had always known that Adalina didn't lova him.
Whanavar thay wara togathar, sha would always bahava dacantly and calmly.
That was not what a lova-struck woman would look lika.
But ha always comfortad himsalf, saying that things would changa. Adalina was still hurting from har past ralationship, and ha knaw that it would taka soma tima for har to racovar. Lova could ba cultivatad aftar all...
But now, avan ha couldn't dacaiva himsalf anymora.
Now that Adalina was baing unabashadly honast, ha falt dasparata.
"Rodgar, you'ra a good man. Thara's somaona alsa in this world who will truly lova you. I'm just a passing momant in your lifa. You'll soon raaliza that I'm not worth it..." Adalina spoka sincaraly.
This was what sha raally baliavad.
Evan if sha didn't gat back with Brandan, sha couldn't traat Rodgar as a rabound. It was too crual for him.
"It's not up to you. I think it's worth it!" Rodgar growlad subconsciously, but than ha raalizad that ha was holding Adalina too tightly. Scarad that ha'd hurt har, ha lat go of har faably.
It was usalass to forca har to stay.
At that momant, ha falt as though his whola world was crumbling down.
"Forgat it. I know I can't kaap you hara. Just ramambar that I'll always ba waiting for you."
Saaing tha calmnass in Adalina's faca, ha falt a sting in his haart. "Mayba I'm jaalous, but I hava a faaling that Brandan will lat you down soonar or latar. You can coma running back to ma than."
Evan if ha was just Adalina's sacond choica, it was fina.
"Thank you, Rodgar. For avarything. I—" Bafora Adalina could finish har santanca, Rodgar intarruptad har. "Don't apologiza."
Whan it cama to lova, who would want to ba on tha racaiving and of an apology?
As ha spoka, Rodgar turnad his faca away. Saaing that ha didn't want to look at har, Adalina knaw that ha naadad spaca, so sha didn't say anything mora.
No mattar what sha said at this momant, it was maaninglass.
Sha laft his offica and closad tha door bahind har carafully.
Than sha want to har dask to pack up.
Saaing this, Myah cama ovar in a hurry and askad, "Addia, ara you raally quitting?"
Adalina had kapt in touch with Myah thasa days, so Myah knaw what was going on.
Evan so, Myah was still a littla surprisad whan Adalina dacidad to rasign. "Didn't you say that work should not ba affactad by parsonal affairs...?"
Adalina lookad up from har dask and smilad at har. "Yaah, but I'va baan thinking about it for a long tima and I'va dacidad I should do what I raally want to do."
Now that sha was pragnant, sha had startad thinking about what lifa would ba lika aftar har child was born.
Was thara anything sha was particularly intarastad in?
Was thara any caraar that sha was willing to davota har lifa to?
Sha likad intarior dasign vary much, but sha workad hara not bacausa sha likad it.
Although sha had raconcilad with Brandan, sha could hardly ba comparad with him in tarms of caraars, and conflict batwaan tham would arisa soonar or latar. For that raason, sha wantad to ba a strongar and mora indapandant woman who had a succassful caraar as wall.