Chapter 127 Eavesdropping
"I don't believe you. You must be lying. He couldn't have done all that for you. It's impossible. You're all lying." Daniel staggered, trembling in the early wind, looking like he might collapse any second.
I didn't want to believe it, but his eyes were filled with real pain.
That kind of pain can't be faked.
Suddenly, I wanted to believe it. Maybe he really did like me.
But it was too late.
I said, "Daniel, there was never anything between us. Now you have Zoe and you've promised her. Focus on her, not on me. For the sake of our childhood, I'll remind you: the past is gone. Cherish the present."
A crowd had gathered, and I didn't want to be the center of attention, so I walked away quickly.
I didn't see Daniel's face, but I heard his heart-wrenching cry, "Jane, come back, don't leave me, please!"
His plea sounded desperate, like someone on the brink of death.
I turned my head.
Daniel's tall, thin body staggered, clutching his chest in despair.
I suddenly remembered myself back then.
In my senior year of high school, I went through unbearable torment and felt the same pain.
Five years ago, it was me.
Now, it's Daniel.
'Damned love, why does it always leave so much regret and hurt?' I thought.
My tears fell, for his late affection and my irreparable pain and regret.
If he had given me hope back then, it wouldn't have come to this.
Back then, I endured the pain and let him go.
Now, he regretted it and wanted me back.
Does the Daniel who wavered between two women still deserve my affection?
Times have changed, and the past won't come back.
"Daniel, it's all in the past. Don't be like this. Move forward with Zoe." I cried silently.
Daniel finally broke down, reaching out to me, "What about you, Jane? Will you come back? I really love you. I promise I'll always be there for you and never betray you. I promise you everything. Just come back, and I'll do anything. Will you come back?"
I didn't know.
My heart ached, and memories of our youth flashed before my eyes.
He was my first love. I once vowed, "Jane, you must marry Daniel."
I thought after all this, I wouldn't cry for him again or be heartbroken.
But when he said he loved me, I couldn't help but cry.
Suddenly, I couldn't understand my own feelings.
'Who do I really love? Is it Brad, who has loved me for over twenty years, or Daniel?' My heart hurt. My mind was in chaos. 'No, I can't agree to him. Zoe may not be perfect, but that's not a reason to hurt her. Daniel belongs to her now, and I can't be the third party that ruins their relationship.'
I needed to think carefully and understand my true feelings.
Before making any decisions about Daniel or Brad, I needed to be sure. Especially with Brad—if I chose him, it had to be with my whole heart, not as a way to get over Daniel.
I had to leave and think things through.
Eighteen-year-old Jane could be impulsive, but twenty-two-year-old Jane had to be responsible for her choices.
I wiped my tears and turned to walk away, only to bump into a warm, solid chest.
Brad held me tightly, his head resting in the crook of my neck. His warm breath and clean scent calmed me down.
I looked up at him through my tears, and his eyes were full of concern and heartache.
"You look your best when you smile, so don't cry," he murmured, each word hitting home. "No matter what you decide, I'll respect it. Just follow your heart."
That was Brad's love for me.
He just wanted me to be happy and never made me feel pressured.
My heart started leaning towards Brad.
"Why are you eavesdropping again?" I asked, burying myself in his embrace, feeling at ease. The anger Daniel had stirred up slowly faded.
Brad wanted me to follow my heart. I asked myself who I truly loved and how I should choose.
My heart was silent, unable to find an answer.
Some might say, "Jane, don't you know who treats you well? Is it that hard to decide? Or are you just greedy and want both? Or maybe you've never forgotten Daniel and have been waiting for his change of heart all these years!"
I really didn't know.
Don't call me absurd; I wasn't as bad as others thought.
I just didn't want to make a decision I'd regret or that would hurt others. I needed to think calmly and rationally.
Brad explained, "If I didn't eavesdrop, how would I know that the girl I've loved for over twenty years loves me too? Baby, believe me, I will never let you down."
I said, "Stop with the sappy stuff. I just managed to hold back my tears, and now you're making me cry again."
Brad replied, "Okay, baby, if you don't want me to say it, I won't. But did I really do so much? Let me think, I must have been quite tired back then. Do you think I was silly for never feeling that way?"
I asked, "Yeah, so what now?"
Brad answered, "Baby, you have to make it up to me."
I asked puzzledly, "How should I make it up to you?"
Brad loosened his hold on me a bit, his eyes filled with deep affection, like an ocean that made me sink. "Promise me, be my girlfriend."
"I'm sorry, Brad. Can you give me more time to think?" I replied.
Brad's eyes dimmed, a faint sadness surfacing, but he still forced a smile. "Okay, I will never make you feel pressured. As I said, as long as it's you, I will always be willing to wait."
My tears, which were about to dry, welled up again and streamed down my face, with a few drops even reaching my mouth.
This time, the tears were not only salty but also a bit sweet.
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