Chapter 529 Leaving Gracefully
"If our friendship made you think there could be more, that's on me. I'm really sorry."
"It's fine," Clara said with a graceful smile. "I know you have Nicole in your heart and you'll never fall for anyone else. It's my fault for not giving up and trying to win you over."
Her smile took on a more dignified air. "I do care for you, and I did approach you under the guise of friendship. Now that you and she are back together, I sincerely wish you both happiness."
Her nose tingled, but her smile stayed bright. "Even though I can't be with you and can't move on swiftly, the thought of her return and the joy it brings you, that's sufficient for me."
A twinge of guilt tugged at Winston as he absorbed Clara's words.
"Winston, as long as you're happy, it doesn't matter if it's with me or not. Though, I admit, it does hurt a little." Clara gestured "a little" with her fingers, tears suddenly welling up in her eyes.
Winston wanted to comfort her, but she interrupted with a smile, "I came today to tell you in person that you're amazing and very likable. That's one of your strengths, so keep it up. This breakfast is something I made especially for you, as a way to end my unrequited love."
She then opened the breakfast bag, took out the food and utensils, and asked, "Want to take a bite?"
Winston didn't want to eat, but seeing her on the verge of tears, he picked up the fork and prepared to take a bite.
"Wait."
At that moment, Clara's gaze caught a thin figure at the second-floor window.
'Is that Nicole?' she thought.
Realizing Nicole had been watching, Clara added with a smile, "You don't need to eat it, just smell it."
Eating it might cause Nicole to misunderstand and lead to unnecessary trouble.
Winston puzzled over the situation but leaned in to inhale the fragrance of the meal.
"Does it smell good?" Clara asked with a smile.
"Yeah, it smells great." Winston realized the breakfast consisted of all his favorite foods, likely something Clara had learned to make just for him.
"Getting your compliment means it has fulfilled their purpose."
Having packed away the food, Clara left behind a gift bag. "Your mom gave me these clothes last night. Given the circumstances, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to visit anymore. Please return them to her and convey my gratitude for her kindness."
Having packed away the food, Clara left behind a gift bag. "Your mom gave me these clothes and dresses last night. Given the circumstances, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to visit anymore. Please return them to her and convey my gratitude for her kindness."
"Those were my way of showing respect to your parents, not for trading gifts! Your parents have been incredibly gracious to me, so it's only fitting for me to express my gratitude through those small gestures. I can't arrive empty-handed every time, can I? Please assure them there's no need to feel uneasy about accepting my gifts. I gave them with the hope that they would find them beneficial. If it causes any discomfort, then I take responsibility."
Clara smiled again and continued, "Also, this little notebook contains your parents' preferences and the places they like to visit. I've arranged for VIP services at those places. Last time, when your dad had shoulder and neck pain, I arranged for a massage therapist, and he said it was very good. The contact information is inside as well."
Even though it was just a small notebook, Winston felt its weight like a thousand pounds.
"There are other little things noted in there too," Clara said, looking into Winston's eyes with a smile. "Now that you have a girlfriend, I won't show up unless it's a group event to avoid misunderstandings. Plus, I have a lot of work to handle at the company. Take care of yourself and don't forget to take care of your girlfriend."
Seeing the injuries on Winston's body, she didn't need to ask; they were clearly for Nicole.
Feeling her tears welling up again, she wanted to hug him one last time before leaving, but the figure at the second-floor window stopped her.
"I'm leaving now," Clara said with the brightest smile, waving to Winston. "Be happy."
Only his happiness made her let-go meaningful.
She turned around, tears finally streaming down her face. To prevent Winston from seeing her shoulders shake, she kept a smile on her face, trying to calm herself.
"Clara," Winston wanted to apologize, but he knew deep down that an apology wasn't what she needed.
Clara didn't stop or turn around. She raised her hand in a farewell gesture and left Moon Bay Villa with grace.
Once in the car, she maintained her smile. "Drive."
The driver, seeing her smile through tears, was utterly confused.
It wasn't until the car drove away that she burst into uncontrollable sobs, as if she had lost the most important, most precious light in her life.
Winston watched her leave for a long time before finally looking down at the little notebook in his hand. It was filled with small details, but it was these small details that made him see his parents in a new light.
He learned that Beckett had worked so hard in his youth that he now suffered from chronic shoulder and neck pain, often needing a specific brand of ointment to sleep at night. This brand was exclusive to royalty, and the notebook mentioned that Clara had used her connections to secure a ten-year supply.
He learned that Kimberly liked to wear knee-length skirts for a dignified look and preferred simple, elegant earrings over flashy ones.
He learned that Beckett had a fear of heights and that anything above the twentieth floor made his legs weak. He remembered how, years ago, Beckett had gone skydiving with them to bond with his son.
He learned that Kimberly didn't like a certain relative but had to be polite due to a small favor from years ago. Clara had even noted three questions to ask that would make the relative back off.
From the notebook, Winston could feel Clara's meticulous care. She had noted many things, like the types of flowers Beckett and Kimberly disliked, their dining habits, and things that could affect their mood.
Nicole stood at the second-floor window, watching Winston read the notebook, her eyes deepening.
After a long time, Winston came inside to wake Nicole, the notebook no longer in his hand. Nicole didn't ask and pretended nothing had happened. After breakfast, they set off for Riverside Villa together.
Riverside Villa was one of Phillipe's properties, located by the river, as the name had suggested. It had been vacant and was now temporarily housing her foster parents.
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