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Chapter 9
Wesley found me a place to stay, but he never once tried to confess his feelings. He's always been kind, considerate, and patient, so much so that his love for someone feels mature and unhurried. When I chose to be with Nolan, Wesley stepped back quietly, burying his feelings deep down. He's kept them hidden for ten years.
That night, I drifted into sleep, and my dreams were filled with Nolan, Aiden, and the pain of the past decade. My tears soaked the pillow. When I woke up, it was already noon. I grabbed my phone and saw dozens of missed calls and new messages, all from Nolan:
"Scarlett, I know I was wrong. I'm sorry. Please give me another chance."
"Let's go get a marriage license right now. I'll bring Aiden over too. Please."
"Scarlett, answer the phone!"
I didn't respond. I just blocked him. Soon, another call came through from an unknown number. It was Nolan's desperate voice.
"Scarlett, where are you?"
"We're broken up. Stop bothering me." I hung up and powered off my phone. I got a new number and told only Wesley. This was my fresh start, a new life. I was done living in the shadow of my emotions. No one was indispensable, and I needed to focus on a brighter future.
I found a job in my field and threw myself into my work. A steady income was important for my fight to gain custody of Aiden. Wesley stayed by my side, but only as a friend. He was always there when I needed him, bringing me an umbrella in the rain, picking me up when I worked late, carrying me to the hospital when I was sick. But he never crossed the line.
It wasn't that I hadn't considered being with him, but it wouldn't be fair. I had Aiden to raise, and who would willingly take on someone else's child? I buried myself in work, and for the most part, I forgot Nolan existed, until one day, when he showed up at my apartment.
I heard a knock at the door, thinking it was Wesley. I opened it without a second thought. But when I saw Nolan standing there, I froze. He looked thinner than before, pale with dark circles under his eyes. His face was lined with weariness, and his hair was streaked with gray. It was clear he hadn't been doing well.
"Scarlett..." He spoke softly, his voice shaky as he dropped to his knees in front of me.
"I'm sorry."
He looked up at me, his eyes filled with guilt and regret. "I've been doing a lot of thinking, and it's all my fault. I took your love for granted and never gave back what you deserved."
In the past, hearing this would have made me happy, but now, it only exhausted me. I couldn't keep playing his games. I didn't want his delayed love. The world of the wealthy was too complicated, too suffocating. I couldn't be part of it anymore.
"Nolan," I said quietly, my voice steady. "If you really love me, then please, just give me back my freedom."
I tried to close the door, but he reached out and stopped it. His eyes were filled with a sadness that almost broke me.
"Do you really not love me anymore?"
I looked at him, calm and indifferent. "Yes, I don't love you anymore."
His face crumpled. His eyes reddened, tears welling up as he quickly looked down, his shoulders trembling. He slowly pulled his hand away, and I firmly shut the door, my heart untouched by his anguish.