Chapter 349 Crossroads of the Heart
It was good timing - he had wanted to discuss the trouble she caused at Evans Group earlier that morning. Now that she was calling him, it saved him the trouble of bringing it up.Perfect timing—he had been meaning to talk to her about the commotion she caused at the Evans Group earlier that morning. Now, she was calling him, which saved him the trouble.
"Douglas, where are you?" Emily's cheerful voice came through as soon as he answered the call.
"Sis, what was that all about? Why did you go off on Diana at Evans Group like some harpy this morning? Do you have any idea how embarrassing that is for me?" In a really bad mood, Douglas lashed out at Emily.
Although Diana's betrayal had infuriated him, he didn't want Emily meddling in his affairs, especially not by causing a scene with Diana at Evans Group in such a disgraceful manner.
"Douglas, I was wrong this time. I apologize, okay?" Emily's tone softened immediately.
"You're admitting you were wrong now?!" Douglas was taken aback by Emily's direct admission of fault and apology.
It wasn't easy to hear such words from Emily, who is known for her fiery personality.
"Yeah, I screwed up, big time. Forgive me this time, for the sake of me being your sister." Emily's voice came through the phone, lighthearted and teasing. "How about this? Why don't you bring Diana over for dinner tonight? I can apologize to her in person. What do you say?"
"You're going to apologize to Diana?!" Douglas was even more surprised.
"Yeah, Douglas, I talked it over with Mom and Dad. Diana's a few years older than you, sure, but times have changed. A few years is no big deal! Plus, she's well-educated, has a great job, and is quite a catch—in every way, a perfect match for what our parents would want in a daughter-in-law. If you're really into her, go ahead and be with her.
Mom and Dad won't object anymore. They've even agreed to you two getting married, buying a house—everything," Emily explained with warm sincerity. "You know, the folks are just eager to hold their grandchild. Give it your all—if Diana can have a baby before moving in with us, all the better."
Listening to Emily's words from the phone, Douglas was momentarily dazed.
Just last night, when he had mentioned wanting to spend twenty million on a large apartment, his parents had been vehemently against it.
How quickly their tune had changed.
"Douglas, you don't think I'm lying, do you?" Emily, unable to hear Douglas's response and worrying he might overthink, was once again upbeat as she clarified, "Last night's opposition from Mom and Dad was because they didn't know Diana was a Jena University grad or that she's the executive assistant to the CEO of Evans Group—pulling in a hefty salary. They thought her looks just seduced you."
"And you? You didn't know either?" Douglas challenged.
"Of course, I didn't know! I've been out of touch with Diana for years. I only heard from you that she is working as an assistant at Evans Group. Still, I had no idea she was the executive assistant," Emily defended herself, dispelling any doubts Douglas might have had.
"Okay, I'll talk to Diana about it."
"Listen, bro, Diana is talented and beautiful. You better hold on to her and not let this cooked duck fly away from your lips. Otherwise, Mom, Dad, and I won't let you off the hook," Emily warned, concerned Douglas might not take the matter seriously.
"Got it," Douglas responded and ended the call.
After tossing his phone back onto the couch, he glanced towards the bathroom and then stepped towards it.
He twisted the doorknob, found it locked, then knocked softly, pleading, "Diana, I'm so sorry. My sister called and admitted her mistake. She'll apologize to you in person."
After throwing up inside, Diana stood at the bathroom sink, furiously brushing her teeth and rinsing her mouth.
Hearing Douglas's voice, she paused before flatly stating, "No need; just leave!"
"Diana, please don't be mad, okay?" Douglas's voice was tender from the other side of the door. "You did something that upset me initially, which upset my family too. But that's all in the past. Misunderstandings are cleared. Can we go back to how things were?"
After rinsing her mouth with another glass of water, Diana finally opened the bathroom door.
Ignoring Douglas, standing bare without a stitch at the doorway, she stepped past him, casually picking up clothes from the floor to put on. "Douglas, this is where it ends for us!"
"What?!" He spun around, unable to grasp this outcome.
"Douglas, we're just not right for each other." Diana looked at him with indifferent eyes before continuing to dress, revealing, "I admit, at first, I was seeking warmth when I was with you. But the truth is, we really don't suit each other."
"So, being with me, you were just enjoying my affection, never truly loving me?" Douglas's eyes reddened with questioning hurt.
Diana picked up her stockings, sat on the couch, and nodded in agreement without a glance at Douglas, "That seems about right."
"That seems about right." Douglas watched her, anger turning into a bitter laugh as the heartache surged uncontrollably, "Diana, tell me, then—who do you love? Liam?"
Did she still have feelings for Liam? He was more attractive, mature, wealthy, and influential compared to Douglas.Did she still love Liam? He was more handsome, mature, rich, and powerful than Douglas.
It was during her junior year of college, while she was with Teresa, that she fell for Liam at first sight.
"I don't know." After a moment's hesitation, Diana gave a vague answer.
She couldn't confess her love for another man in front of Douglas; that would only fuel his temper beyond control.
"Diana!" In a sudden move, Douglas dropped to one knee before her, gripping her shoulders firmly, "If what you crave is the warmth and affection I offer, why end things? I can keep loving you, treating you well, offering warmth. Isn't that enough?"
Diana glanced at the nearly groveling Douglas, momentarily taken aback. She recognized his genuine love for her. But with that acknowledgment came the realization that choosing Douglas would mean letting go of any chance of a future with Liam.Diana looked down at the nearly groveling Douglas, and for a fleeting moment, she was taken aback.
Douglas genuinely loved her, and Diana knew it.
But choosing Douglas meant giving up on Liam forever.
"Douglas, we are not right for each other, truly." After a moment of hesitation, Diana's stance was solidified.
"How can you say we're not right for each other?" Douglas asked, his grip tightening on her shoulders, a hint of agitation in his voice. "Do you think I'm not good enough, not exceptional enough? Don't worry. I'll work harder, I can change, and I'll become the man you're looking for."
"Douglas, loving someone shouldn't be so demeaning." His stubbornness, his submissiveness, only hardened Diana's resolve, "I'm your sister's classmate; I'm four years older than you. Your interest in me is just a phase. Once it fades, you'll find it meaningless! Why don't you find someone your age, a girl who truly adores and cherishes you? That's how you'll find happiness. Don't you understand?"
"I don't get it. All I know is that you're my girlfriend right now, and the person I like, the one I love, is you." Unable to contain himself, Douglas's roar betrayed his emotional turmoil. His eyes reddened as he looked at Diana and continued, "Diana, you can't be so cold, so cruel. Just because you've been with Liam doesn't mean you get to kick me aside. Otherwise, neither of us will have peace."
Seeing Douglas before her, Diana couldn't help but shiver inside.
In an age where social media was booming, and Douglas had his start-up, if she weren't protected, smearing her reputation would be a piece of cake for him.
"Douglas, what do you want from me?" Diana asked, helplessly closing her eyes.
"Don't leave me. I'm ready to marry you anytime, as long as you're willing. I'll work incredibly hard to provide the life you desire." He reached for Diana's hand, his voice filled with earnestness and submission.
"Douglas, someday you'll see that we really are not a match." He was the first man to display such humility in front of her.
Even without any ulterior motives, Diana felt a tinge of softness in her heart.
"Then let's talk about it when that day comes."
—Talk about it when that day comes, huh?
But when would that day be?
In that instant, Diana had to fake a smile and lower her head.At that moment, Diana had no choice but to force a smile and bow her head.
...
