Chapter 368 Unable to Let Go
"But I took advantage of Colin's trust and kindness, drugged him, and did something so disgraceful. I foolishly hoped he could love me the way I love him, even if it was just for a moment of tenderness and attention."
Lily's voice trembled slightly. "But when I saw him with Anna, so close and intimate, it felt like a knife was cutting through my heart. Especially when he told me that Anna was different from other women, my heart shattered completely. He used to say those things only to me. He said I was special, different from other women. But now? His specialness, his tenderness, it's all for another woman."
Lily lowered her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "I know what I did was wrong, selfish. But I can't control my feelings. I love Colin, love him so deeply that I can't let go. No matter how cold or indifferent he is to me, I can't forget him or move on from this love."
Bella bit her lip gently, trying to control her emotions. Her gaze was firm yet complex. "I asked to talk to you alone because I know that directly addressing this might not be the most effective way. But I can't just sit by and let this past entanglement continue to affect the present, especially Anna."
She took a deep breath and continued, "I'm not going to ask you to make any promises or changes because that's neither realistic nor fair. But I will contact Sterling to end your employment relationship. This is for everyone's good, to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts."
Lily's expression changed slightly; she hadn't expected Bella to be so direct and resolute. But Bella didn't stop. Her words were like sharp blades, cutting through the tense atmosphere with a gentle precision.
"At the same time, I'll talk to Colin and make him understand that as Anna's boyfriend, he has a responsibility to deal with his past with you. Even though what happened between you two was seven years ago and shouldn't affect his relationship with Anna, if you stay in our lives with lingering feelings for Colin, it will undoubtedly cause trouble for everyone, including yourself. We all want to avoid that, so for everyone's happiness, I think the best way is for you to leave for a while, give everyone some space to cool down."
Bella sighed softly, as if releasing a heavy burden from her heart. "Alright, go home early."
"Anna and Mr. Rivera are from completely different worlds," Lily sneered.
"She isn't as smart or as composed as you. In Mr. Rivera's complex and ever-changing world, how long do you think she can last? Relying on some 'innocent' persona to get through life with Mr. Rivera? That's naive. The gap between them is like heaven and earth, and it will only become more apparent over time. Eventually, she won't need me to say anything; she'll find the relationship too hard and might just give up on her own."
Lily's voice carried a hint of defiance and challenge as she watched Bella's retreating figure, her words dripping with disdain and doubt about Anna and Colin's relationship.
Lily's words dripped with contempt for Anna, but then she turned her sharp tongue towards Bella. "You think I care about that commission, Bella? You're wrong. The commission is just an excuse. You know the real reason I want to stay."
Lily's eyes sparkled with a complex light, a mix of her obsession with Colin and her challenge to Bella and Anna's relationship, as if telling herself she wouldn't give up easily.
However, Bella didn't stop or look back. She kept walking, as if Lily's words were nothing more than a passing breeze.
Bella knew that matters of the heart couldn't be easily changed by external forces. Anna and Colin might have an understanding and persistence that others couldn't comprehend.
Anna had seen the world and faced many challenges. Bella believed Anna wouldn't give up on this relationship easily. She might get angry or have doubts, but she wasn't just some naive girl.
"Lily, everyone has their own path to walk and choices to face. Whether you stay or not doesn't matter to me anymore. What's important is that you understand true happiness isn't achieved through taking or destroying." Bella's words drifted into Lily's heart with the wind.
Lily clenched her teeth, feeling a wave of defeat wash over her. She had thought she could easily handle Bella with her wit and tactics, but now she had to admit Bella was tougher than she had imagined.
In Lily's eyes, Bella had always seemed like a fragile woman in need of protection, but now she saw Bella's resilience and decisiveness, making her see Bella in a new light.
"No wonder Sterling couldn't handle her," Lily muttered to herself, her wariness of Bella growing.
Lily took a deep breath, trying to calm her turbulent emotions. She knew she couldn't underestimate Bella anymore and needed to reassess her.
At the dinner table, Lily raised her glass, initially just wanting to use the opportunity to talk to Colin.
When she saw the intimate interaction between Colin and Anna, the jealousy and resentment she had buried deep inside flared up like a spark, quickly spreading.
She watched Colin gently serve Anna food, their sweet smiles at each other, and felt a mix of emotions.
Especially when she heard that Colin had put on an apron and helped in the kitchen for Anna, it felt like needles were piercing her heart.
Even after seven years, she still couldn't let go.
Lily whispered softly, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She had thought she was strong enough to face Colin's new life, but reality kept reminding her that the love she had buried deep inside was still surging like a tide.
She recalled when Colin came to the store looking for Anna earlier that day. She wasn't there, busy with a delivery for Serafina.
When she returned, hoping to run into Colin, she only heard Isadora and the others excitedly talking about Colin's gentle actions in the kitchen.
At that moment, it felt like something was squeezing her heart, making it hard to breathe.
After a brief moment of distraction, Lily finally gathered her courage. She took out her phone, her fingers lightly tapping on the screen, and sent Colin a message: [Bella found out. She just talked to me.]
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