Chapter 431 Explanation and Confession
Anna felt completely lost and confused, unable to figure out what was going on in Colin's mind.
When they got to the hotel, Colin walked ahead quickly, carrying her suitcase, leaving Anna to hurry behind him. At the front desk, she handed over her ID in a rush, her actions betraying her inner turmoil.
After checking in, they stepped into the elevator. With other people around, Anna stayed quiet, knowing it wasn't the right time to talk about their issues.
Finally, the elevator doors opened, and they walked into their hotel room. As soon as the door closed, Anna couldn't hold back her anxiety any longer. She turned to face Colin, her eyes filled with expectation and unease. "Can we talk now? Just tell me what's going on."
Colin busied himself with adjusting the room's air conditioning, trying to hide his own agitation. He sat on the couch, took a moment to collect himself, and then began, "Even if we don't count when we first met, it's been a few months since we started dating, right? I've been wondering, have you ever really liked me? Am I that hard to love?"
Anna was stunned by Colin's words. She couldn't understand why he would think she never liked him. Feeling a wave of sadness, her eyes welled up. "What do you mean? Why would you say that? How could you think that?"
Colin took a deep breath, his voice tinged with frustration and confusion. "Do you want to split the hotel bill too? I don't need you to save me money. You even insist on splitting the cost of plane tickets. I had time to pick you up from your place, but I didn't, and you didn't get mad or even ask why. If it were me, I'd think it meant you didn't care. So, do you not care about me?"
Colin knew this dynamic all too well, having often played the role of the indifferent partner in past relationships.
But things had changed dramatically now. He felt panicked and lost, especially after realizing how deeply he had fallen for Anna.
Anna's distant attitude only made him more desperate for answers.
Anna, always a bit slow to react, finally understood Colin's inner turmoil and anxiety.
Reflecting on their past interactions, she realized his concerns didn't stem from being tired of the relationship or regretting his choices.
This realization lifted a weight off her shoulders, and she exhaled softly. "No, Colin."
Anna's voice was gentle, tinged with apology. "I never thought about it that way. I just wanted to avoid spending too much of your money before our relationship got more serious. You know your mom has some misunderstandings about me. I didn't want her to think I was with you for the money. I know you don't care about the money, but maintaining my dignity and independence is important to me. As for you not picking me up, I trusted you were busy with work or something important. Why argue over something so small? It's not that I don't care."
Anna paused, her eyes searching his. "Are you upset because you felt I didn't care about your feelings or misunderstood my intentions?"
Her voice carried a hint of uncertainty but also a deep desire to be understood and valued.
Colin listened to Anna's explanation, feeling his frustration melt away, replaced by guilt.
Colin had always believed in a simple, pure view of love: as long as they were happy together, that was enough. He never delved into the complexities and potential issues in a relationship, nor did he consider Anna's unspoken worries and concerns.
He never realized how much Anna cared about Gia's opinion. To him, Gia was traditional but reasonable and wouldn't interfere excessively in their relationship. He never considered the pressures and anxieties Anna might face as someone joining a new family.
He also didn't notice how his lack of consideration and attentiveness was so generously interpreted by Anna as him being busy with work. To Colin, this was her being too understanding.
Colin looked into Anna's eyes, seeing emotions he had never noticed before—insecurities and humility.
This realization pained him. The Anna he knew was always cheerful and optimistic, her smile bright enough to chase away any gloom.
But now, she seemed to lower herself to the ground, a change that made his heart ache.
In Colin's mind, Anna had every right to be upset with him. She was the girl he loved deeply, deserving all his care and affection.
Yet she chose to silently endure and understand, a maturity that moved and saddened him.
"Are you..." Colin hesitated, not wanting to bring up unpleasant memories.
He took a breath, trying to sound more relaxed and casual. "Are you kidding me? You know, no matter how busy I am, I can always make time to see you. Even if I'm on the other side of the world, I'd book the first flight to be with you. If I didn't pick you up, it was to see if you'd get mad or care about my absence. As for my mom, she won't care how much I spend on you. It's my money, and I decide how to use it. So, if you keep making yourself uncomfortable over this, then I'll really get mad."
Anna lowered her head, biting her lip as she gathered her thoughts. Then, she softly said to Colin, "Got it. From now on, anything under a thousand bucks, I won't make a fuss about."
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