Chapter 325 Enchanted by Love
Seeing Ethan in such a rough state, Lauren felt a pang of sadness.
Even though she was the one who insisted on ending things, Ethan had been by her side for so many years. He was more than just a friend; he was like family to her.
Lauren quickly went over to steady the stumbling Ethan. She opened the door and helped him inside.
After calming Matthew down and sending him back to his room, Lauren returned to the living room to take care of the drunken Ethan.
She handed him a warm towel. Ethan took it, looked at Lauren with a deep gaze, and asked, "Lauren, I talked to my mom. She admitted that she came to your place and said some harsh things. I misunderstood you. Can you forgive me?"
Lauren turned away, a bitter smile on her face. "There's no need to talk about that. It's all in the past."
Ethan looked at her intensely. "Can we start over? From now on, I will trust you completely. I'll listen to whatever you say, okay?"
Ethan got emotional, grabbing Lauren's hand tightly, not letting her pull away.
Lauren frowned and struggled. "Ethan, let go of me! You're hurting me!"
Sensing her anger, Ethan immediately let go as if he'd been shocked. He kept apologizing, "I'm sorry, Lauren. I'm just so afraid of losing you. Please don't be mad."
Seeing Ethan in such a panic, Lauren couldn't help but feel worried for him.
The once proud, handsome, and courteous Ethan was now so disheveled. Lauren knew it was all her doing.
If she hadn't given Ethan hope back then or made that three-year promise, maybe Ethan would have moved on and found his own happiness.
Her soft-heartedness had hurt Ethan; she felt like a sinner.
Lauren knew she couldn't keep making mistakes and hurting Ethan because of her soft-heartedness.
"Ethan, look at me. Are you really sure you love me?" Lauren pointed at her face, staring back at Ethan with determination.
Ethan, still somewhat drunk, followed Lauren's gaze and then replied excitedly, "Yes, I love you, Lauren."
Lauren shook her head, "Ethan, do you know what love is? Love is unconditional trust and mutual fulfillment. Love is not about constant taking, nor is it about baseless jealousy. You say you love me, but what you show is a desire to possess me. At first, I thought you truly loved me, but later I realized you were just using the idea of love to chain yourself because you couldn't have me."
"No!" Ethan, hearing Lauren's words, became somewhat hysterical. He shook his head desperately, not wanting to listen.
But Lauren didn't stop, "You're hurting now because I hit the nail on the head, right? Ethan, you're my most important friend. I really don't want to lose you as a friend. But I also ask you to face your true feelings, okay? If you truly love me, I will give you a chance. As an outsider, I can see your true thoughts more clearly than you. Please believe me, I won't harm you."
"Enough! You're saying all this just to break up with me, right? Lauren, I've loved you for fifteen years! Don't you feel even a little moved?" Ethan shouted, tears streaming down his face.
Why wouldn't Lauren accept his love? Was he always going to be Lauren's second choice?
Lauren thought back to the past, how Ethan was always there for her during her toughest times, helping her through the hardest years.
She couldn't deny she was moved, so she decided to give Ethan a chance. But she also knew deep down that Ethan's love for her was more of an obsession, and that wouldn't bring them happiness.
Lauren would rather sacrifice her own happiness than ruin Ethan's lifelong happiness. She wasn't afraid that her words might hurt Ethan, and that he might hate her. As long as Ethan could live happily, it was worth it even if she became the villain in his heart.
"Ethan, I sincerely hope you find your own happiness," Lauren insisted.
Ethan suddenly stood up, "You're still mad, aren't you? You're upset because I doubted you before, and I didn't stand up for you when my mom made things difficult. Lauren, I know I was wrong. Don't worry, I'll make my mom come and apologize to you! Wait for me!"
With that, Ethan ran out the door with a determined look in his eyes. Lauren was worried that Ethan might be in danger in his emotional state, but she couldn't leave Matthew alone. So she called Ryan.
After hearing Lauren's words, Ryan didn't say much and quickly went to find Ethan.
After Ryan safely brought Ethan home, he texted Lauren, asking if she was available to meet up.
Seeing Ryan's text, Lauren felt conflicted. But she agreed because some things needed to be said sooner or later.
Thinking about the last time Ryan came to see her, Lauren felt that life was unpredictable. Since that day, though only two months had passed, her relationship with Ethan had plummeted from the heights to the depths.
Lauren and Ryan agreed to meet the next day. Since she had decided to leave City A and go to Pariz, she had already written her resignation letter, ready to have Ryan deliver it to Ethan.
Just then, Lauren heard the sound of the door opening. It was Kimberly coming home from work. Lauren didn't deliberately avoid Kimberly; instead, it was Kimberly who seemed a bit uneasy, not knowing how to face Lauren.
After hesitating for a while, Kimberly finally spoke up, "Lauren, when are you planning to go back to Pariz?"
Lauren looked up at Kimberly and noticed she was avoiding eye contact. It seemed Kimberly had made up her mind to stay in the country. Feeling a bit disappointed, Lauren still managed to put on a smile.
"I'll be leaving soon. Mom, are you really not coming back to Pariz with us?" Lauren asked again, not giving up.
Kimberly smiled bitterly, walked around, and sat on the sofa opposite Lauren. "I really don't want to travel abroad anymore at my age. No matter how good Pariz is, this is my hometown. You know I never felt comfortable living there. As for the things you're worried about, I think there's no need. If I have to run away to Pariz to avoid the Obsidian Gang as you expect, I'd rather stay here and confront them openly."
Hearing Kimberly's words, Lauren fell silent. She was now conflicted about which choice was better for Kimberly.
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