Chapter 3
Valerie frowned unhappily, her thoughts interrupted by a low, magnetic voice.
“I’m sorry.”
In the darkness, Valerie kept her eyes closed, but her long eyelashes fluttered slightly, a subtle sign of her tension.
“Let’s go get the marriage license tomorrow morning, okay?” Terrence’s voice was soft, almost apologetic.
But before she could respond, his phone, which had been resting on the bedside table, buzzed.
Without missing a beat, Terrence pulled away from her. He answered the call, his tone gentle as he spoke to the person on the other end. “Don’t cry. I’ll be there right away…”
Valerie stayed still, listening to the sound of him dressing in a hurry. She couldn’t help but let out a quiet, bitter laugh.
She reached over and flicked on the bedside lamp, the soft light illuminating the room.
“Terrence, don’t go…” she called out, her voice almost pleading.
But Terrence didn’t stop. Without turning back, he walked towards the door, opened it, and stepped out.
The sound of his footsteps echoing down the hallway felt like a cruel reminder. Valerie’s lips trembled as a tear slid down her cheek, a quiet testament to the heartbreak she’d grown so used to.
The next morning, Valerie awoke to find Terrence’s assistant, Theodore Schaefer, waiting for her in the living room.
“Ms. Schwartz, these are gifts from Mr. Crawford,” Theodore said, his voice polite as he gestured toward a table laden with jewelry.
Valerie nodded, her response indifferent.
Theodore hesitated, his eyes flickering with surprise. He had known Valerie for years, and every time Terrence had sent her gifts, she’d always been overjoyed. But now, there was nothing—only a cold, almost apathetic reaction.
“Then I’ll be off now,” Theodore said, sensing that it wasn’t his place to inquire further. His professional ethics took over as he turned and left.
Valerie stared at the sparkling jewelry on the table, her gaze emotionless. She knew these items were carefully chosen by Theodore.
Terrence had never once apologized to her with genuine sincerity, and Valerie was no longer holding onto any expectations.
She wouldn’t be hurt by this anymore.
Her phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with a new message.
It was from Margaret.
“Have you received the gifts Terry sent you? You should thank me properly. If it weren’t for me persuading Terry to apologize and give you some gifts, he wouldn’t have done anything!”
