Chapter 439 Thought It Through
Bella knew Anna had made up her mind, and this decision was likely irreversible.
She tried once more to persuade her, her voice tinged with a plea, "Anna, you really need to think this over. Finding someone who loves you back is rare. From where I'm standing, Colin doesn’t care about your past. He’s ready to face the future with you, no matter what. You should hold on to that kind of love."
Bella hoped Anna could hear her own heart and not make a decision she'd regret. "As your friend, I get where you’re coming from. You love him so much that you don’t want him to suffer because of you. You think you might hold him back or ruin his future. I understand that."
But then Bella's tone grew more urgent. "But Anna, reality can be brutal. If you let go, there won’t be another Colin. Can you really bear to give up this rare love? Can you stand looking back and regretting this missed opportunity?"
Bella’s words struck a chord in Anna's heart. She lowered her head, tears welling up, but she still shook her head firmly. "Bella, thanks for understanding and supporting me. But I’ve thought it through. It’s better to rip off the band-aid now. For both our sakes, I have to do this. I believe time will heal everything."
Seeing Anna’s resolute attitude, Bella knew there was nothing more she could say. She could only silently embrace Anna, offering her the warmest hug and the most sincere blessing. "Anna, no matter what you decide, I’ll always be here for you. I just hope you find your own happiness and never regret your choice."
Anna could no longer hold back the pain inside and broke down in tears, sobbing uncontrollably. Her tears fell like pearls from a broken string, wetting her face and Bella’s heart.
Choking on her sobs, her voice filled with endless sorrow and helplessness, Anna said, "Bella, I can’t bear it! I really can't bear to lose him, to lose all our memories, to lose the sweetness that once made my heart race. But I can't face the gap between us."
Anna took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but the tears kept flowing. "I’ve always wanted a simple life, just an ordinary girl. I crave peace and stability. But he, he’s always been exceptional, with a brilliance I can't reach. No matter how hard I try, I can't keep up with him. There’s a gap between us that can’t be bridged. Can’t you see that?"
Anna sobbed, "I know that the romance of dating will eventually turn into the mundane routine of marriage. The passion and excitement will fade away, and our differences will become the source of future conflicts. I’m scared of that day, scared we’ll break up because of irreconcilable differences."
Her voice had become hoarse and low. "So, I choose to end it while things are still good. At least this way, we can keep the beautiful memories and the pure feelings in our hearts. Isn't it better to have loved and ended it well?"
Bella was momentarily speechless. She had been advising Anna not to give up on Colin because of her own regret of not being able to stay with her loved one. That "can you bear it" was not only a question for Anna but also an expression of her own unspoken pain and reluctance.
Bella knew she couldn't bear to lose such deep affection, and how could she not understand Anna's feelings?
Bella sighed softly, her eyes full of complex emotions. She understood Anna's struggle and pain and knew what this relationship meant to both of them. However, seeing Anna's determined gaze, she realized that further persuasion would be futile.
So, she spoke slowly, her voice tinged with a bit of helplessness and resignation. "Alright, Anna, think it over carefully. Before making a decision, ask yourself if you can really bear the pain of breaking up. Imagine seeing Colin with another woman. Will it tear your heart apart? Will it make the world lose its color for you? If you think you can accept all that without suffering, then do what you think is right."
That evening, Bella closed her shop early but didn't ask Anna to join her for dinner as usual. Instead, she went straight home.
Bella had hoped to give Anna and Colin more time alone to talk, hoping it might bring a change. But seeing Anna's resolute attitude when she left, Bella knew the chances were slim.
After dinner, Anna and Colin both avoided bringing up any upsetting topics.
Anna suggested they take a walk, with no particular destination, just wanting to stroll through the bustling crowd with Colin.
As they passed a well-known watch store, Colin's attention was caught by a simple yet elegant women's watch. He didn't look at the price tag, just felt it was perfect for Anna. He gently tapped Anna's shoulder and pointed at the watch. "Hey, check out this watch. Do you like it?"
Anna looked closely at the watch, admitting it was lovely, but the price was not. When she looked up at Colin, her eyes were filled with refusal. "I don't want it." Colin's eyes briefly showed disappointment but also understanding. He nodded lightly, a bittersweet smile on his lips. "Alright, if you don't want it, that's fine."
Colin knew Anna didn't want to spend his money, but as Anna turned to leave, he discreetly signaled the sales associate to wrap up the watch. As he swiped his card, he kept an eye on Anna's back, afraid she might turn around and see.
After paying, he quickly hid the gift box in his bag, thinking that if he gave it to her as a gift, she might not be upset.
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