Chapter 10%
Tamara’s POV
The moment Louie noticed my discomfort, his face fell like I’d just slapped him.
I took a sip of my coffee and said calmly, “I’ve heard your apology. If that’s all you came to say, then you can leave now. But if you apologize just to be forgiven, I’m sorry. Some mistakes don’t deserve forgiveness.”
Louie’s expression shifted. For a second, it looked like he didn’t know what to say.”
“So… there’s really no chance for us to get back together?” he asked quietly. “I’ve changed. I won’t ever let you suffer again. Just give me one more chance. I swear I won’t let you down this time.”
He sounded desperate, like he still couldn’t accept it was over.
“Let’s not talk about the past anymore,” I said, keeping my voice even as I looked him in the eye.
Thank goodness, he understood. His face turned a little more serious, like he knew there was no changing my mind.
Neither of us said anything for a while. I stood up to leave, but before I could walk away, Louie got up and stood in front of me.”
“Tamara,” he said solemnly, “I hurt you. Everything that’s happened to me, this whole mess, it’s what I deserve.”
“Go home,” I replied. I wasn’t cruel, but I made my point.
He hesitated. “Can I ask you one last question?“}
“Go ahead,” I said, picking up my purse and waiting.
I didn’t love him anymore, but he had been a big part of my youth. The least I could do was let things end with a little dignity.
“If I had answered your call that day, would things have turned out differently?”
Louie looked at me, eyes full of hope.
I almost laughed.
How could I explain that it wasn’t the accident that made me walk away? It was the way he treated me for years–the neglect, the indifference. The car crash was just the final straw.
He really was painfully naive.}
I took a deep breath and looked straight at him. “Louie, grow up.”
He stared at me, confused.}
I gave him one last sentence before turning to leave. “If you’d truly reflected on everything, you wouldn’t still be asking me questions like that.”
And with that, I walked out of the dessert shop.
Behind me,
he called out loudly, “Tamara! I know you don’t think I’m good enough for you right now. But as long as still have the right to pursue you!“}
you’re not married, I
I covered my ears, not wanting to hear any more of his ridiculous teenage fantasy talk.
After that day, I never saw Louie again. Maybe he went back to the States.
Meanwhile, my career kept climbing. Even the head office started paying attention to me.
Later, I returned to the States to attend our company’s annual conference.
At the event, Mr. Fowler praised my work. He admitted that when he opened branches in each region, it was just a strategic move. He never expected them to turn a profit. But I had exceeded expectations. As a result, he decided to offer me a stake in the company. After the conference, I went home to see my parents.
And this time, I didn’t come alone. I brought someone with me. A French–American man named Alec Massy.
We had started as business partners, but during our time working together, we clicked. One conversation led to another, and things slowly evolved beyond business.
I wasn’t in any rush to get married, but Alec was persistent. He insisted on coming home with me for the New Year, so I eventually gave in and brought him along.
My parents were surprised to meet him, but once they saw how fluent Alec was in English and how gentle and caring he was with me, they relaxed.
The next day, it snowed. Alec stood with me in the yard, holding my hand.
“My love,” he said with a smile, “when I was little, I heard an old legend. If two people in love stand in the snow together, they’ll stay together for the rest of their lives.”
A year later, Alec and I returned to the States to prepare for our wedding.”
Once word got out, my friends back home were quick to send their congratulations and, of course, gossip started flowing.
I learned that Louie and Lindsay had completely fallen out.
Apparently, she tried to force Louie to marry her. He refused, got angry, and leaked one of her private videos out of spite.
In retaliation, Lindsay stabbed him three times.
The video spread quickly in local circles, and she became a walking scandal. Every time she stepped outside, people whispered and pointed. She had no choice but to stay shut in at home.
Meanwhile, Louie was under criminal investigation for distributing the video–prison time was all but certain.
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11:03 AM
And to get back at her, he exposed the fact that she’d attacked him.”
Now both of them were under legal restrictions, awaiting prosecution.
I couldn’t help but sigh.
Just two years ago, they were so lovey–dovey like some love–struck pair. Who would’ve thought it would all end in betrayal and violence?
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