Chapter 2

My mother was a broad-minded and decisive person who took a direct approach to life.

Meanwhile, Duncan had been sitting at the other table and was clearly quite drunk. He laughed out loud before he said in his booming voice, "That's right. Our kids have all grown up now. You are … Harper, right? When your daughter and Melinda's son get married, don't forget to invite us to the wedding as well!"

"Of course! You're Felix's uncle! You would certainly be invited!" Mom replied cheerfully.

Just like that, the conversation quickly switched from what college we were attending to the ways everyone would be chipping in for our wedding. If I didn't know better, I'd have assumed I was getting married tomorrow!

Everyone was now engaged in an enthusiastic discussion about the wedding. Even one of Felix's young relatives, a mere child, was excitedly declaring that he wanted to be the flower boy.

I lost interest in this conversation quite quickly.

I had heard it countless times before, so there was no use wasting my breath trying to stop them from talking about it. Thus, I just focused on eating while everyone else talked.

Though I liked Felix, marriage felt like something too far in the future for me to consider. It was much too early to even discuss it. Besides, shouldn't we be the ones in charge of our wedding plans? I couldn't possibly let them do whatever they wanted for my big event. The final say belonged to me.

I was serious about my intention to marry Felix. Our wedding had to be something that the both of us planned together.

However, that was just my own opinion, and Felix had a mind of his own.

I was still young back then. It never crossed my mind that a relationship involved two people. By the time I understood that, it was already too late.

My young, naive heart had been ripped into shreds by how Felix had acted that fateful night. I never expected him to do what he did. He used harsh, hurtful words to force me to give up on my love for him.

Our mothers were still discussing our marriage when he suddenly shot to his feet. He must've been very worked up since he stood up so aggressively that his chair skidded noisily behind him before crashing onto the ground.

I had been focused on eating my food. The commotion practically made me jump out of my seat. I stared at him in confusion with my mouth still full.

I had never seen Felix like this.

Fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. However, what scared me the most was the anger in his eyes and the frustration on his face.

He glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around, but I can't say or do anything about it! Stay away from me! Stop following me around!"

I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. My jaw also dropped in disbelief, and the half-eaten shrimp fell onto the floor.

In that instant, the room turned dead silent. I could feel the blood rush to my head, making my face flush and my ears ring.

His words were no different from accusing me of being a shameless simp, and he had done it right in front of everyone.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and it felt as if my breath had caught in my throat, making it hard for me to breathe.

What did I do? Why did Felix have to humiliate me in front of everyone? All I did was like him. I only wanted to be with him. Was that a crime? Or … did the thought of me liking him disgust him so much that he started to hate me?

It was fine if he didn't like me or didn't care about me, but he should've told me that at an appropriate time!

He shouldn't have allowed me to get caught up in my presumptuous thoughts and feelings about our relationship, only to accuse me of shamelessly clinging to him.

I was not shameless. I just liked him.

Was this his way of making me give up? If it was, then he was a heartless bastard!