Chapter 438 Persuasion
Anna lowered her head, avoiding Bella's gaze, her voice trembling, "I think I wanna break up."
Bella froze, her eyes wide with shock. "What? Why? You guys just started dating. Did Colin mess up? Is he still hung up on his ex?"
Anna's eyes filled with tears, but she tried to hold them back. "No, he's amazing, really. That's the problem. Why is he so good to me? I have nothing to offer, and my past isn't exactly spotless. If he was mean or less considerate, I'd feel more balanced. But he treats me like I'm precious, and I'm not. I'm not smart, I don't have any skills. If we got married, I'd just be a burden. I can't help him with anything."
Bella squeezed her friend's hand, trying to comfort her. "Anna, don't say that. Everyone has worth. You're kind, you're genuine, and those are priceless qualities. Love isn't about deserving or not deserving. If two people love each other, that's enough."
Anna shook her head, and the tears finally spilled over. "Bella, it's so hard for people from different worlds to be together. Even before my family went bankrupt, I wasn't good enough for him. I just knew how to have fun, while he was nearly perfect, except for being a bit of a playboy. Now, he's even changed that for me. How can I ever make things right? If his mom finds out about my past, I won't even be allowed in their house. I can't keep this secret forever, and I don't want to live a lie. I'd feel guilty, uneasy. I can't live with that burden."
Bella felt a heavy weight on her chest. She never thought Anna's own insecurities would be the breaking point.
The pain of not being able to reconcile with oneself was far more intense than any external pressure.
Looking at Anna's tear-streaked yet determined face, Bella felt a deep sense of pity and helplessness.
Bella knew that in matters of the heart, fairness and equality didn't always apply. Even if Colin's love for Anna was genuine and he didn't care about her past, it didn't guarantee a smooth relationship.
Reality was full of uncertainties, especially with family, background, and values complicating things.
Bella took a deep breath, thinking carefully before she spoke. "Anna, don't make any hasty decisions. It's not over yet. You need to understand that what happened wasn't your fault. You were an innocent victim. What's important now is that you believe in your innocence. You shouldn't carry any guilt for this."
Bella gently held Anna's trembling hand. "I know Colin's mom. She's not unreasonable. If she knew the truth, she'd understand and accept you. It wasn't your fault, and you shouldn't feel inferior because of it. You deserve to be loved. You have your own value—your kindness, your sincerity—these are irreplaceable."
Bella's voice carried a mix of reproach and heartache. "Sure, Colin might be smarter and more capable, but so what? That doesn't mean you don't deserve love. Maybe you haven't tried hard enough before, but that doesn't mean you can't in the future. You're not stupid. You can learn, you can grow. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. You can start a new journey whenever you want."
She continued, trying to offer Anna a glimmer of hope. "As for balance, true balance doesn't mean being equal in every aspect. If you love each other, even if you stay home and take care of the family, that's a form of balance. Everyone has their own role. As long as you support each other, that's the most beautiful thing. If he's good to you, isn't that enough? Do you really need him to be mean to you to feel balanced? That's a twisted thought, Anna. Get a grip!"
Bella's words were like a shot of adrenaline, gradually stabilizing Anna's wavering heart. She looked at Bella, her eyes glistening with tears.
Anna's voice trembled slightly, carrying a hint of determination and struggle. She took a deep breath, trying to suppress her emotions, then said shakily, "I'm not being irrational. This thought came to me this morning, and it's been swirling in my mind ever since. I've been thinking about it over and over, but I can't find a win-win solution."
Her eyes showed deep self-blame and helplessness. "I shouldn't have agreed to date him in the first place. I knew I wasn't good enough for him. Whether it's family background, personal ability, or past experiences, there's an insurmountable gap between us. I don't want to hold him back. He deserves someone better, someone who can grow alongside him."
Bella sighed, feeling like all her words had been in vain.
"Anna, don't say that. Love isn't about being deserving or not. You have love between you, and that's enough. And I believe Colin truly loves you. He won't care about your past."
But Anna shook her head, her expression becoming even more resolute. "Bella, you don't have to persuade me anymore. Especially after realizing he truly loves me, I initially felt selfishly sweet and joyful, thinking I'd finally found a shoulder to lean on. But as time went on, the feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety only grew stronger. I started worrying about what would happen if his family found out about my past, what if one day he regretted it? This constant fear of losing him is unbearable."
Bella saw the unshakable determination in her eyes and heard the unwavering certainty in her voice.
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