Seven Years of Love, All for Nothing

Chapter 6

That night, Andrew showed up at my door. I thought maybe he had finally figured out Olivia's lies and was here to hear the truth from me. But instead, his first words came out like a punch:

"Rachel, Olivia's innocent. Can't you just let it go?"

I couldn't help but laugh, bitterly.

Even after everything, Andrew was still calling her "Olivia." I guess some things never change.

But looking at him—his face drawn and exhausted—I felt a strange twinge in my chest.

This was the Andrew I once knew: confident, full of life, the guy who had been on top of the world when He Corporation pulled itself out of bankruptcy.

I absently touched the grass ring in my pocket, then changed the subject.

"When did you and Olivia start this?"

His face tightened, guilt flashing across it, and he quickly denied it.

Of course he wouldn't admit it. But I wasn't going to let him off that easy. I pulled up the video—years-old footage of him kissing Olivia.

He glanced at it, and his face instantly turned pale.

"Rachel, please, let me explain. It's not what you think…"

I pulled out the grass ring from my pocket, placing it in his hand, and watched him stare at it.

I still remembered the day when things had gone south for Andrew and his family. The debt collectors cornered him when he was just a kid, demanding to know where his parents were.

After barely escaping, the first thing he did was find me, pouring out his heart, devastated.

"Rachel, my family's finished. I won't be able to give you the life you deserve…"

Tears ran down his face as he slipped that little grass ring onto my finger.

"I made this on the way here. Wear it, and pretend we're married. Please don't forget me…"

At that moment, I couldn't help but feel like I'd stay with Andrew forever—despite everything.

But now, after all the hurt and betrayal, I was sure that ###Chapter of my life was closed.

Still, even with everything that had happened, I wasn't sure if I could completely let go of the emotions that had been built up over the years.

Even on the wedding day, a part of me still held on to the idea that maybe, just maybe, things could work out.

But now, I was done.

Andrew looked down at the grass ring, his fingers trembling. His face softened with nostalgia, and his lips quivered.

A few teardrops fell, splashing onto the rough ring. He wiped them away quickly, then grabbed my hand with desperation in his eyes.

"Rachel, please… just this once, forgive me. I swear, I'll cut all ties with Olivia. I'll prove it to you!"

I lifted my hand, slowly wiping away the tears from his face.

"My mom was always so good to you, better than she was to me. Even on her deathbed, she hoped we'd end up together. And how did you repay her?"

"You dismissed it all as ‘ancient history,' told me what I saw and heard wasn't the truth. So, tell me, what *is* the truth?"

"Is it that you knew Olivia was my father's mistress's daughter and still went behind my back with her? Or that you gave her everything you promised me, then turned around and called me cold-hearted for not letting a terminally ill person have her way?"

His face twisted with regret, but it was too late for apologies now.

He lowered his head, thinking for a moment before looking up at me, his voice quiet.

"I've already asked around. Olivia's only been questioned because of a dispute with a college classmate. She's innocent."

"Honestly, Rachel, can't you just let go of the past? Both your mom and Olivia's mom are gone now. Let it rest."

I stared at him, fury rising up inside me. I'd given everything for him, and he turned out to be nothing but a selfish coward.

I couldn't contain the rage anymore. I slapped him hard across the face.

His face fell, and instead of backing away, he grabbed my hand, slapping himself repeatedly.

"Rachel, I'm sorry. I just want you to be happy. If it helps you vent, beat me up all you want. I deserve it."

The sight of him made my skin crawl.

I wrenched my hand free, my voice sharp as I spat out, "Do you think I'm some kind of garbage can? From the moment you chose Olivia, behind my back, you should've known we were done. We'll never be together again."

He opened his mouth to say something, but his phone rang, cutting him off.

The volume was loud enough that I could hear Olivia's voice crackling through.

"Andrew, I've just been released from the police station. I'm really scared. Can you come pick me up and take me home?"