Chapter 2

I'd thought we'd part amicably and never see each other again. Who knew this woman would refuse to accept the breakup no matter what.

"Are you crazy? I said breakup—breakup, BREAKUP! Why are you still coming to my building to block me every day?!"

"Ha! You blocking me alone would be one thing," I pointed at Mike and voiced my genuine confusion, "but why are you bringing your so-called best friend? Are you brainless? Can't think for yourself and need him to come up with ideas for you?"

I said all this in one breath without a single pause, showing just how angry I was.

Julia pretended to be innocent, scratching her head.

"I... I thought since you're both guys, he'd understand your emotions better, so I..."

Mike stood behind her and spoke up: "Yeah, Matthew, please don't misunderstand Julia..."

"Misunderstand what!"

I was in gym class at the time. My head got hot and I threw the basketball in my hand straight at Julia.

Fate can be truly wonderful sometimes, and unfortunate encounters are no exception.

When my parents brought me to apologize to Julia, what a coincidence—the two families actually knew each other.

"Matthew! You've grown so much. I even held you when you were little. Do you remember me? Mr. Jones."

Turns out my dad and Julia's dad had been old friends since college. If the Jones family hadn't gone overseas to start their business, maybe our parents would have thought we might become in-laws!

But my mom looked at Mr. Jones strangely.

She moved to hide behind my dad, unusually silent.

Yet my innocent, naive father didn't notice at all.

After some polite conversation, our parents quickly learned about my relationship with Julia.

"Matthew, my daughter isn't good at expressing herself and doesn't really know how to maintain a relationship. If she does something that upsets you, you should tell her."

Mr. Jones gently touched Julia's injured forehead. "Maybe this will teach her a lesson. But—"

He changed his tone. "Don't let anyone else affect your happiness!"

I stood in that hospital room with its strong smell of disinfectant, my eyes full of irritation as I stared at Julia grinning foolishly at me.

Was I blind back then? Actually thinking she was decent-looking.

She really looked just like her dad!

I looked at Mr. Jones again.

He was dignified and polite, except for his gaze—

Like a predator secretly eyeing my mother!

That night, I went to my mom's room to find her.

She sat alone in the spacious luxury bedroom, gazing at the moon and silently crying.

"Mom, what's wrong? You didn't say a word during dinner. That's not like you."

My dad had gone out to socialize again. Now in this mansion, only I could have a heart-to-heart conversation with my mom.

"I'm fine," Mom wiped away her tears and smiled at me. "Just thinking about some sad things from the past. Don't worry about me. Go back to bed early. Don't you have an early class tomorrow?"

I took my mother's hand, my tone gentle. "Mom, I saw everything today. Jones—"

The moment I mentioned the surname "Jones," my mother's whole body trembled.

"Don't... don't say anymore!!!"

Later, I only left after watching my mother fall asleep.