Chương 19: The Sunny Boy In Her Youth Was No More
Lucas slept soundly throughout the night. But, he wouldn't ever expect to be woken up in such a harsh and rude way by Daphne the next morning. In his grogginess, he found himself being slapped in the face repeatedly.
"Wake up! What are you thinking? Why do you sleep here?"
Daphne pulled the blanket away from Lucas. Her voice blared inside the small living room. With another slap, Lucas regained his senses.
"...huh? Daphne? Wait... it hurts!"
Lucas caught Daphne's wrists. She almost fell on the couch before she quickly steadied her feet. Daphne yanked her hands away from Lucas' grasp.
"What the hell... what are you doing?" Lucas frowned, feeling the stinging sensation on his face. He glared at Daphne, "Why did you slap me?"
Daphne scoffed. She was not even afraid of the change in Lucas' expression.
They had been together since high school. During the times they fought, Lucas never did anything to make Daphne afraid of him. The most he had done was be angry for a couple of days but, he never lay a hand on her.
The image of a sunny boy in a school uniform was quickly replaced with the messy one lying on the couch. The stark contrast irked Daphne so early in the morning.
In her mind, the boy she adored during her youth was now so different from the man in front of her right now. The lack of redeeming qualities in his adult life drove Daphne to be mad at him.
The resentment only kept piling up.
Daphne snatched the blanket when Lucas tried reaching out for it. Standing with both hands on her hips, she shouted at him.
"Don't ask me that when it's your fault! Do you want to make me feel bad for you? So you slept on the couch last night?
Daphne was confused to wake up alone this morning. Even though she had been treating Lucas coldly these days, it was weird not having him on the same bed.
Daphne went out of the bedroom to look for her boyfriend. The feeling changed to shock and irritation when she saw Lucas sleeping on the couch.
The anger she suppressed started to boil up, resulting in her lashing out at him.
The sleepy Lucas became irritated.
Because his sleep was rudely interrupted by Daphne, the dissatisfaction he held back the last few days began to burst out from within him.
Lucas slowly sat up. Still eyeing Daphne with a sharp gaze, he spat, "Don't you want that? I'm just an eyesore to you now, right? Just let me sleep in peace."
Daphne was speechless. With a frustrated sigh, she exclaimed, "What's with the eyesore? Did I ever say that?!"
Lucas laughed mockingly, "From how you act these days, it's true."
Daphne's ears were stung by how self-deprecating the laugh seemed to be. She bit her lower lip, trying to avoid initiating a screaming match with Lucas.
"Then... have you ever thought why I acted like that?" Daphne asked through gritted teeth.
Lucas narrowed his eyes. The words that he heard at the restaurant intermingled with the ones Daphne hissed before.
"You're ashamed of me now, right? I can't be compared to other successful men?"
"ISN'T IT TRUE?!"
The shout stunned not only Lucas but, also Daphne. It was already too late when she realized what she had done.
Lucas laughed feebly. The light in his eyes turned dimmer. He replied sarcastically, "...so, that's it. Thank you for being frank with me."
"Hey! You should know that I'm only thinking for your own good!"
Ignoring his girlfriend, Lucas lay down on the couch again. He turned his back on Daphne before covering his entire body with the blanket again.
Daphne almost pulled her own hair.
"You want to continue sleeping? Yes! Go to sleep! Just freaking sleep and work your part-time jobs!"
Lucas closed his eyes. His voice echoed from under the blanket, sounding muffled, "At least I don't earn dirty money."
Daphne clenched her hands into fists. She was so tempted to yank Lucas away from the couch but, she might be running late if she continued to fight him. School time would start in an hour.
"Tsk! How useless!"
Daphne stomped her feet before rushing back into the bedroom. Lucas gave her no reaction. He pursed his lips into a straight line, holding back from worsening the situation.
The fight was really uncalled for. She was mad because he didn't sleep in the bedroom? Shouldn't she be happy instead? After all, wasn't he an eyesore to her now?
Urgh... This problem shouldn't continue...
When Daphne emerged from the bedroom complete in her formal suit and a winter coat, Lucas forced himself up from the couch. She didn't look at him even once as she walked past the small living room.
"Daphne."
Daphne paid no attention to Lucas who still sat on the couch. She brought a pair of shoes out of the shoe cabinet.
Lucas let out a sigh. He rose to his feet and walked toward her. With his gaze trained on her side profile, he muttered.
"Let's talk tonight."
Daphne flinched. She turned around, looking at the closed door.
"There's nothing to be talked about. Didn't you know everything now?"
Daphne was obviously reluctant. Her tone was harsh. She kept her posture straight, showing her stance.
Lucas shook his head even though Daphne was not looking at him. He stated in a firmer voice.
"We have to. There's no use in us behaving like this. If you have anything more you're dissatisfied with me, tell me everything tonight."
"No!"
Daphne ran out of the apartment, blasting the cold winter air to Lucas' face. Standing at the doorway, he silently watched her figure disappear into the corridor. The sound of her footsteps also faded.
Lucas closed the door, cutting the cold air from continuing to blow into the small apartment. His expression was dull.
Daphne's admittance pricked his already exhausted heart. Even though Lucas wanted her to be truthful with him, it was still hurtful.
Tonight...
Would there be any changes?
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
hansora
hansora So sleepy... I didn't get enough rest these days :/
Chương 20: Becoming The Master Of Our Own Choices
||Liliana||
Liliana visited Golden Phoenix Temple with Old Madam Shen and Madam Ma yesterday morning. Following the two elderly, she also meditated in one of the temple halls.
Head Priest Guan chanted sutras in front of them, his voice was as calm as the slow-flowing stream in the yard.
The wintry landscape that surrounded the temple ground appeared as if the place was separated from the outside world.
After she meditated, Liliana's heart was enveloped by peace. The anxiousness she bore started from the miscarriage until the talk about divorce began to lessen.
Everything would be fine. She kept whispering the same words to herself.
Before Liliana and the two elderly departed a few hours later, Head Priest Guan bestowed her with some advice. The calm smile on his wrinkly face was not clouded by any judgment.
"No one is free from the consequences of their own choices. But, it shall be more liberating when you're the master of them."
Liliana kept the words close to her heart. She gratefully bowed to the head priest.
"Thank you, Head Priest Guan. I'll remember it."
Liliana would be lying to herself if she didn't fear the aftermath of those choices. Countless thoughts swirled in her mind, imagining the changes that followed the options she made.
Whether the divorce ended amicably or not, Liliana couldn't avoid facing major adjustments.
It was not only because of the title Young Madam Shen that she held for the past four years but, the relationship between the Shen family and the Xin family.
Despite being an illegitimate child, Liliana's status was high thanks to her marriage to Asher.
The news of divorce would certainly shake the high society, the same way when their engagement was announced before.
Not that Liliana cared about it.
That morning, Liliana headed to the beach after having breakfast with Old Madam Shen and Madam Ma. The two elderly reminded her to keep herself warm and not wander far.
"So cold."
Liliana cupped her gloved hands and blew warm air. Standing opposite the shoreline, she threw her gaze into the distance. Her long black hair was tousled by the cold breeze.
The ocean was murky, unlike the dazzling blue color Liliana often saw during summer. The grey gunpowder winter sky grew denser toward the horizon, appearing so gloomy early in the morning.
Liliana wished to have some time for herself. Although she was grateful for the company of Old Madam Shen and Madam Ma, she still needed to be alone.
There were many things that kept piling up inside her mind. She had to untangle them one by one.
"It has been three days... No response yet?" murmured Liliana under her breath.
Liliana still kept her main phone off. Asher only contacted Old Madam Shen once to inquire about the divorce. Aside from that, there hadn't been anything yet.
From how it appeared, the Xin family had yet to be notified about the divorce too. If not, they would try getting to Liliana through the Shen family's matriarch.
"This can't do..." Liliana let out a sigh. A frown marred her forehead, "I need this to be finalized as soon as possible."
Liliana still remembered what her friends Nancy and Nadia told her once they knew about the divorce.
"Squeeze the most you can from him. Be a millionaire lady."
"Yes, Lili. You're still young. Forget that heartless man. Fresh meats will come knocking on your door once you divorced him."
Nancy and Nadia's words sounded funny but, they spoke the truth.
Liliana initially planned to leave the marriage with nothing at all as long as Asher revoked their marriage. But, it was too impractical.
The Xin family wouldn't be so kind to her. Liliana needed the financial power if she wanted to get away from their suffocating clutch. She also had to think about her mother's ongoing treatment.
Even though the Xin family never failed in paying for Cassia's treatment, Liliana was still prepared for the possibility.
All this time, the Xin family never physically abused Liliana. But, the silent treatment still damaged her soul. She didn't want to return to living under their roof again.
If not for Old Madam Shen's unfaltering support for her, Liliana had to admit divorcing Asher was a wrong move. She might make both the Xin and Shen families into her enemy.
"...I need to speak to him."
Liliana turned around from the shoreline. A flicker of determination shone in her eyes before it quickly disappeared beneath the traces of fear and anxiousness.
If Asher planned to postpone the divorce, she had to find ways to make him agree to it. She had to!
Liliana ran back to the villa. Her footsteps were clearly imprinted on the damp sandy beach. Desperation exuded from how she was acting.
"...!"
Liliana abruptly stopped once she got inside the beach house's yard. Her eyes widened. The familiar black sedan car was reflected in her pupils. It was parked under the porch.
It was Asher's!
Despite owning many luxury cars from different brands, Asher would mostly frequent this one if not using the driver's service.
When did he arrive? She was at the beach for less than an hour.
Liliana scrunched her brows, thinking that this was too coincidental. He suddenly appeared here when she had just thought to go to him.
This was better anyway. She wondered what made him personally come here instead of sending Caleb as usual.
Liliana resumed walking. For some reason, her heartbeat accelerated. Pursing her lips, she quietly entered the door.
The interior of the villa was quiet, save for the faint sound of waves hitting the shore. But, as Liliana got closer to the lounge, her ears began to pick two voices talking to each other.
They were Old Madam Shen and Asher's voices. It seemed like an argument ensued between them.
"...don't be selfish. You've hurt Lili enough now! The least you can do is let her go."
"Grandmother, how did I hurt Liliana? Just because I didn't immediately be by her side when she miscarried?"
"You insolent child! How could you answer like that?"
Liliana quickened her pace. She was worried hearing how emotional Old Madam Shen was. The old lady had several ailments. It was best not to provoke her with anything.
"Talk to me."
Old Madam Shen and Asher's attention fell on Liliana who had just entered the lounge.
Madam Ma was also there, sitting next to the Shen family's matriarch. She looked relieved to see the young lady's appearance.
Liliana looked at the two elderly before her gaze was locked onto Asher's impassive expression. Once again, she spoke, "Let's have a talk between us."
Even though Liliana tried avoiding any direct confrontation with Asher, it seemed like she still had to do it. It was time for her to come out behind Old Madam Shen's back.
Asher shot a frosty look toward the wife he hadn't seen in almost a week.
"Fine. Let's talk."
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO
hansora
hansora
Now, now, what would happen during their talk?
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