Chapter 3 (Accidental Encounter)

CHAPTER 3

ANGIE’s POV

I walked down the street, my body feeling weak and heavy. I felt as though I was losing my mind as I trudged toward home. I couldn't even afford to hail a taxi because I didn't have enough money left in my wallet, so I decided to walk since it wasn’t that far.

Passersby stared at me, likely because they could see me crying. I couldn't stop the tears from falling every time memories of Mark flashed through my mind. I wasn't prepared for this. I never imagined my boyfriend could betray me like this. He was my first love, my first boyfriend—but now, he was also the first person to break me and cause me such immense pain. I couldn't control my emotions; the hurt was simply too deep.

I lost track of how many tears I shed, but no matter how much I cried, the weight in my chest wouldn't lift. It still felt heavy and agonizing.

"Miss, watch where you're going! If you want to end your life, don't drag us into your problems!" a jeepney driver yelled at the top of his lungs. His booming voice snapped me back to reality. I quickly wiped the tears from my cheeks, realizing I was causing a traffic jam. Drivers were honking incessantly because I was standing right in the middle of the road, blocking their path.

Overwhelmed with shame, I immediately apologized. But in my haste to get out of the way, a car clipped me, sending me sprawling onto the pavement. The impact was violent, and I blacked out instantly.

I thought that would be my last day. But I was wrong. I woke up. When I finally opened my eyes, I was no longer on the street. I was inside a beautiful house—no, a mansion. The place was vast, elegant, and designed with exquisite detail in every corner.

"O-ouch..." I groaned, feeling a sharp sting in my head.

"Don't move just yet. The doctor I called to treat you said that you need to rest and regain your strength," a deep, resonant voice said. It sounded like an older man—definitely not someone in his twenties. He sounded like he was in his late forties.

I couldn't see his face yet because it was obscured by the newspaper he was reading. He was sitting on a large sofa nearby.

"Where... where am I?" I stammered. I didn't know how to talk to him. I felt like he was angry with me for interrupting his work. He was wearing a sharp black suit, the kind worn by powerful businessmen.

"You are inside my house," he answered curtly, slowly lowering his newspaper.

I nearly fell off the bed when I realized who I was talking to. I wasn't wrong about his age—this man was Mark’s father. I recognized him instantly; I had seen him many times in Mark’s photo albums.

Up close, his presence was staggering. He didn't look his age at all. If I didn't know he was Mark’s father, I wouldn't have guessed he was older. He had a powerful, athletic build, as if he spent a lot of time at the gym. While his aura was mature, his face remained strikingly handsome. It felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over me. I couldn't move my hands, and I couldn't even close my mouth in shock at this unexpected meeting with my boyfriend’s father.

"My meeting today with Mr. Xiao was canceled because of this incident. I brought you here to be treated because I didn't want the public to know I hit someone on the road—it would tarnish my reputation. So, I brought you here, Miss... what is your name?" he asked.

I couldn't answer immediately. I had no idea how to speak to him. It was incredibly awkward, especially since his son was the reason I had been so distracted in the first place.

"Anyway, I won't waste your time. I only waited for you to wake up so we could settle this. Once you feel better, you can go home. But if not, you may stay here until you've recovered. And of course, I will provide money for your medication to ensure you heal quickly," he said, clearly wanting to keep the conversation brief.

He held out a small envelope that undoubtedly contained money. I hesitated, unsure of whether to take it. I took a deep breath, gathering every ounce of strength I had before speaking.

"I'm okay, Sir... I don't need the money. I’m sorry for the trouble I caused you. I just wasn't feeling well earlier, which is why I got hit. It was really my fault. You don't need to feel guilty about it," I said, taking full responsibility for the accident.

I didn't want to be indebted to him. I didn't want him to have anything to hold against me in the future.

In truth, he had no idea who I was. It wasn't surprising; in the year I had been with Mark, he had never introduced me to his father. Perhaps he wasn't proud of me. Or perhaps I didn't fit his family's standards. I wasn't exactly a "sexy" woman he could brag about, which was likely why he kept me hidden from his parents.

Mark’s father locked eyes with me. He looked worried, and a hint of doubt flickered in his gaze, as if he wasn't convinced by my answer.

"Just accept the money, Miss... I'm not used to being turned down, especially when someone is in your condition," he insisted.

"I'm not asking for money, Sir. It’s enough that you were kind enough to treat me despite my carelessness earlier. So, thank you, Sir," I replied with a small smile.

As I tried to get up, a sudden wave of dizziness hit me, causing me to lose my balance. Instinctively, I reached out and ended up leaning against him, my arms wrapping around his waist for support. My heart began to race like it was in a high-speed pursuit.

"See? You're not totally fine, Miss. Don't force yourself if your body isn't ready. Rest so you can regain your strength," he said calmly.

I immediately let go and stepped back.

"I'll just rest at home. I don't want to stay here," I decided.

I didn't want to linger in this mansion. I was terrified of running into Mark. I wasn't ready to face him after the way he had betrayed me.

"You're very stubborn," he said seriously, though he eventually gave in. "Fine. For your peace of mind, I will drive you home myself."

"But—"

"I insist. Stop giving me reasons to argue," he said, cutting me off.

I couldn't finish my sentence. My boyfriend’s father was incredibly bossy. His aura and the way he spoke made it impossible to say no.