Chapter 185 The Plans of Three People
Seeing Ethan's smile, Lauren felt a wave of guilt, considering it the worst luck for him to meet her.
Feeling down, she had to speak up.
"Ethan, thanks for everything. I've thought it over, and I think it's best if I leave City A and start fresh somewhere else," Lauren said, looking him in the eye.
As her best friend, she hoped he'd support her. If not, she just hoped he wouldn't blame her.
"You're leaving City A? Where will you go? Isn't City A good enough?" Ethan struggled to continue. Sure, things were tough for Lauren here, but they could be fixed. He didn't want her to go.
"Lauren, can you really leave City A? You grew up here. Your family and friends are all here!" Ethan tried another angle. If she left, he wouldn't stay either.
Lauren gave a bitter smile. Her only family now were Kimberly and Ulysses. Ulysses had his own path. And Ethan, her only friend, was standing there, sad for her.
"Ethan, not everything can be perfect. Mom and Matthew will come with me, and I know you'll do great. I feel too guilty for everything, so I have to go. I'm really sorry!" Lauren said, trying to sound casual.
Leaving was tough. She had planned to slip away quietly to avoid hurting Ethan, but that would have been too disrespectful to him, her most important friend.
Ethan looked at her sadly. "I don't just want an apology from you."
Lauren patted his shoulder. "Look at me. I'm broke. All I can give you is an apology."
"Lauren, don't act on impulse. Leaving City A is easy, but surviving elsewhere will be harder. Have you thought about your future? What about Matthew? Nowhere is as convenient as City A. This is your home, and I'm here too!" Ethan tried to persuade her.
Lauren smiled and shook her head. "Ethan, you should understand me. I hope you can support me."
Ethan felt a lump in his throat. For years, he'd supported all her decisions, but this one was tough.
He frowned, thought for a long time, and finally said, "So where do you plan to go?"
Lauren shrugged. "I'm not sure. Maybe going with the flow isn't so bad. I don't need much, just peace."
In truth, Lauren longed for a carefree life. Maybe she should let go of everything, ignore others' judgments, and focus on her own happiness. Maybe then she wouldn't feel so tired.
But Ethan strongly opposed her plan. "Do you think you can just disappear like people did in the past? Lauren, whether you're leaving because of Quentin or not, make a thoughtful decision, not an impulsive one."
"My leaving City A has nothing to do with Quentin. It's just the pressure. The constant criticism is suffocating. I can't handle the ridicule anymore. I'm not invincible; I have my breaking points too," Lauren said, her shoulders shaking as she tried to hold back her distress.
"Why do you care about what others think? You're living for yourself, not them." Ethan shot back.
"You don't get it! I don't want to be judged when I go grocery shopping. I don't want to be stared at wherever I go. Ignoring others' opinions is easier said than done," Lauren replied, her eyes red.
Hearing this, both Kimberly and Ethan felt heartbroken. Ethan felt even guiltier. It was cruel to let Lauren face all this alone.
Kimberly also felt guilty, realizing Lauren's suffering was far worse than she had imagined. She hated her own helplessness, her inability to share Lauren's burden. She wasn't a competent mother.
Tears welled up in Kimberly's eyes. She walked up to Lauren and gave her a big hug.
"Lauren, you've been wronged. Ethan, stop trying to persuade her. Whether you support her or not, don't bring up those unhappy things anymore. Being happy now is what matters," Kimberly said.
Lauren wiped her tears and smiled at Kimberly. "Mom, I'll be okay. Ethan, please don't worry. Wherever we end up, I won't forget you or your kindness. If you ever need me, I hope you'll reach out. I'll do everything I can to support you."
Ethan looked at Lauren sorrowfully. He was confused. The woman he had always loved was about to leave, and he needed to sort out his thoughts and make his own decision.
Ethan left Lauren's house feeling dejected. Back at his place, he locked himself inside. Recalling Lauren's words, he felt heartache and pity. It hadn't been easy for Lauren to walk this path alone.
He knew the challenges she had faced. He was used to her resilience and determination, so her vulnerability and helplessness took him by surprise. Seeing her like that tugged at his heart, making him forget to breathe.
‘No, I'm wrong. Lauren has grown up from a little girl,’ he thought. Ethan recalled Lauren's tears, her smiles, and everything he liked about her. He decided he couldn't let her go.
After her sadness, Kimberly resolutely went to Ulysses and went through the divorce procedures with him. She suddenly felt much lighter.
For years, Ulysses had stifled Kimberly, leaving her almost unfamiliar with the sensation of breathing freely. As the divorce papers were signed and sealed, Kimberly didn't feel sadness. Instead, a profound sense of relief washed over her, lifting the weight of oppression she had endured for so long.
Kimberly signed the divorce agreement Ulysses handed her, which stated that the fifty million dollars Quentin gave him would be his alone.
After leaving, Kimberly looked disdainfully at the excited Ulysses behind her. She thought he was pathetic because he still didn't know what was truly precious.
