Chapter 12 Eavesdropping
"Jane, Zoe's shy and timid. Please be nice to her and don't let me down."
I had never disappointed Daniel, but he had disappointed me over and over again.
We'd known each other for nineteen years and understood each other completely. Yet, he subtly criticized me in public, making me seem unkind.
I said, "Okay."
The Pitt couple seemed aware of Zoe's family situation and were clearly unhappy. Once the dinner started, they kept serving me food while ignoring Zoe.
Zoe shrank back, looking lost, while Daniel kept whispering reassurances to her.
Out of respect for the Pitt family, my parents said nothing. I focused on the food, determined to indulge my gluttonous nature.
This was the most boring meal ever.
When I had eaten enough, I put down my utensils and went out to the open-air balcony for some fresh air.
Not wanting to see those annoying people and things, I had to escape.
The balcony was small and secluded, making it hard to be discovered.
After a while, I heard light, chaotic footsteps stop outside the balcony. Not wanting to be found, I silently moved further inside.
"Daniel, are you out of your mind? What's so special about Zoe? Why are you so hung up with her? You hid her family situation, but now your father and I know! Her background is only going to bring you trouble! I absolutely disagree! Besides, how can she compare to Jane in terms of family and personal conditions? Why do you so set on her?"
I was shocked; it was Emma and Daniel.
I wanted to leave. After all, this was the Pitt family's business, and it wasn't appropriate for an outsider like me to know too much.
Moreover, eavesdropping is highly unethical, even if it wasn't intentional.
Unfortunately, the balcony was enclosed. Unless I jumped down, I couldn't leave until Emma and Daniel did.
Daniel was clearly obsessed with Zoe, arguing with Emma in a hushed voice.
From where I stood, I could see Zoe wringing her hands, watching everything unfold on the verge of tears.
She had a smile on her face, but her eyes were filled with tears, carrying an inexplicable sense of humility.
For a moment, I actually felt sympathy for this girl.
After all, what did Zoe do wrong? Her father's sins had nothing to do with her. Zoe was just a girl who met a boy she liked and wanted a sweet romance.
In fact, neither Daniel nor Zoe did anything wrong; they were just pursuing the life they desired.
But what about me? What did I do wrong?
Why could I find excuses for everyone else but couldn't cut myself some slack?
Looking back, my entanglement with Daniel started with my one-sided affection.
Maybe the saying was true that the one who fell in love first was destined to be humble.
But I would not let myself be humble forever.
Outside, Daniel couldn't control his emotions, raising his voice gradually, each word piercing my ears. "I don't understand why you always talking up Jane. Mom, I'm your son. Can't you think about me? The person I like is Zoe. She makes me happy. No matter how good Jane is, she's just a neighbor, like a sister to me. I would never like her. Mom, don't push me."
Daniel's voice was thick with anger and pain.
It felt like something heavy had crashed down on me, leaving me bloodied and in unbearable pain.
Something kept welling up inside me, my nose stung, my body wobbled, and my heart felt like it was about to break.
Eighteen years of affection, ruthlessly denied again!
It was pity for my heart, aching from love and longing, and the years of youth I devoted to him were just my one-sided wishful thinking.
I didn't want to listen anymore because I didn't know what else Daniel might say to make me feel even worse. Besides, he had made it clear that we were never meant to be together. Why not help him get what he wanted?
In a three-person relationship, if I stepped back, two people would be satisfied. Why not?
As for the pain of stepping back, let me bear it alone.
Zoe finally started crying, her head bowed, shoulders shaking, looking pitiful.
Daniel immediately felt sorry for her, rushing over to hold her and comfort her gently. The tenderness on his face was something I had never seen before.
Maybe that was the difference between love and indifference.
Emma was furious and about to chase after them when I stepped out of the balcony and grabbed her arm.
No one expected me to be hiding on the balcony, and everyone immediately realized I had heard their entire conversation.
Emma's expression changed instantly. She held my hand, her lips trembling, and was unable to say a word. The guilt in her eyes was overwhelming.
Daniel turned to stare at me, and his gaze was cold, making me shiver inside.
I didn't understand why Daniel looked at me like that. I had done nothing wrong and it had nothing to do with me.
I had only revealed my feelings for Daniel.
And Daniel had no right to look at me that way.
Daniel's reaction was simply because I wasn't the person he cared about. And the person he did care about had shed tears because of me.
Maybe, in Daniel's mind, my existence was a mistake.
I smiled wryly and patted Emma's hand to comfort her, "Mrs. Pitt, I don't like Daniel, and he doesn't like me. We can never be together. Besides, I already have someone I care about, and our relationship is great."
No one knew how painful it was for me to say those words.
After saying that, I instinctively looked up at the sky.
Telling such a big lie, I feared divine retribution.
At this point, I could only use this excuse to maintain my dignity.
The people in the private room, seeing we hadn't returned for a long time, came out to find us. At this moment, they were all standing at the door.
I didn't know when they had come out, but I knew they had all heard my last lie.
Everyone was staring at me, their faces full of shock.
I leaned on Emma's shoulder, smiling and acting coquettishly as I used to, "Mrs. Pitt, please don't try to match me with Daniel anymore. My boyfriend would mind."
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