Chapter 7
Hugo’s words were direct, cutting straight to the point. I was caught a little off guard.
It had only been three months since Javier and I divorced and I couldn’t deny that I hadn’t fully moved on yet. So, I told Hugo about my past honestly.
He thought for a moment, then looked at me and said, “Mandy, I don’t think there was anything wrong with you in that relationship. The problem was with them. If you’re not the problem, then forgetting the past is just a matter of time. I’m a patient person and I’m willing to wait.”
With Hugo being this straightforward, it would’ve been rude to reject him.
Besides… I looked up at him. He was flawless in appearance, humble and polite. There was no harm in spending more time with him. Following my heart, I accepted his invitation to the evening party.
60% 11:38
1/6
11:38
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
62
Hugo’s words were direct, cutting straight to the point. I was caught a little off guard.
It had only been three months since Javier and I divorced and I couldn’t deny that I hadn’t fully moved on yet. So, I told Hugo about my past honestly.
He thought for a moment, then looked at me and said, “Mandy, I don’t think there was anything wrong with you in that relationship. The problem was with them. If you’re not the problem, then forgetting the past is just a matter of time. I’m a patient person and I’m willing to wait.”
With Hugo being this straightforward, it would’ve been rude to reject him.
e was
Besides… I looked up at him. He flawless in appearance, humble and polite. There was no harm in spending more time with him. Following my heart, I accepted his invitation to the evening party.
60% 11:38
1/6
Chapter 7
When I returned home, my parents had gone on a trip, leaving the house empty. After my shower, my phone’s notification light kept blinking, it was Javier calling me.
I bit my lip but didn’t return the call. Instead, I saw Danielle posting
continuously on social media. In just one evening, she had made five posts, each one flaunting her relationship with Javier.
I knew she was doing it on purpose, so I played along and liked every post. This seemed to unsettle her, as she quickly
deleted them all.
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, but then my phone rang again, “Mandy, are you back? Can I treat you to a meal?” Javier’s voice was hoarse, filled with exhaustion.
I didn’t respond.
He spoke again, “Mandy, look out your window.”
In front of the window, he was standing under the old locust tree, covered in mist.
60% 11:38
2/6
Chapter 7
“Mandy, doesn’t this remind you of our second year in high school, when I used to wait for you outside your house every morning?” Javier’s voice was filled with infinite nostalgia.
I chuckled softly and hung up. In the middle of the night, my phone rang again, but this time it wasn’t Javier. It was
Danielle.
“Mandy, you and Javier are divorced now. Can’t you stop clinging to him? He’s been waiting outside your house all night and now he’s in the hospital! Why are you ruining our happiness?” Danielle’s voice was hysterical.
I had no idea what she was talking about, so I cursed under my breath and hung up.
After finally getting a good night’s sleep, I was awakened by noise coming from downstairs.
I stumbled down with messy hair, only to see Hugo in a suit, chatting with my
60% 11:38
3/6
Chapter 7
parents.
“Mom? Dad? Hugo?” My confusion must’ve shown on my face because Hugo smiled.
He didn’t smile often, but when he did, there was a small dimple on his cheek that I hadn’t noticed before.
“Mandy, oh dear, how could you come downstairs without even washing up?” My mom pushed me back to my room and that’s when I realized Hugo had come to pick me up for the party.
By the time I was done getting ready, two hours had passed. When I went
downstairs, Hugo was still happily chatting with my dad, showing no signs of impatience.
“Mandy, shall we go?” he asked. Hugo held out his hand, I gently placed it on his hand, got in the car and drove all the way to the banquet hall.
“This is a small gathering, just hosted by some familiar faces here in Atlanta,” Hugo
60% 11:38
4/6
Chapter 7
parents.
“Mom? Dad? Hugo?” My confusion must’ve shown on my face because Hugo smiled.
He didn’t smile often, but when he did, there was a small dimple on his cheek that I hadn’t noticed before.
“Mandy, oh dear, how could you come downstairs without even washing up?” My mom pushed me back to my room and that’s when I realized Hugo had come to pick me up for the party.
By the time I was done getting ready, two hours had passed. When I went
downstairs, Hugo was still happily chatting with my dad, showing no signs of impatience.
“Mandy, shall we go?” he asked. Hugo held out his hand, I gently placed it on his hand, got in the car and drove all the way to the banquet hall.
“This is a small gathering, just hosted by some familiar faces here in Atlanta,” Hugo
60% 11:38
4/6
11:38
Chapter 7
parents.
- ))
62
“Mom? Dad? Hugo?” My confusion must’ve shown on my face because Hugo smiled.
He didn’t smile often, but when he did, there was a small dimple on his cheek that I hadn’t noticed before.
“Mandy, oh dear, how could you come downstairs without even washing up?” My mom pushed me back to my room and that’s when I realized Hugo had come to pick me up for the party.
By the time I was done getting ready, two hours had passed. When I went
downstairs, Hugo was still happily chatting with my dad, showing no signs of impatience.
“Mandy, shall we go?” he asked. Hugo held out his hand, I gently placed it on his hand, got in the car and drove all the way to the banquet hall.
“This is a small gathering, just hosted by some familiar faces here in Atlanta,” Hugo
60% 11:36
4/6
Chapter 7
said casually. “If you’re bored, we can leave early.”
I laughed and said, “Mr. Amberson, I’ve attended many parties since I was young, so you don’t have to take special care of me.”
Despite my words, Hugo introduced me to all of his friends. When he had to discuss business, I found an excuse to slip away. I wandered out to the balcony for some fresh air and there, to my surprise, I saw Javier.
He was visibly startled but quickly grabbed my wrist. “Mandy, can we talk?” he insisted. “Stop avoiding me.” His tone was downcast, as if he’d been terribly wronged.
I pulled my wrist free and looked at him coldly, “What do you want to talk about?”
His eyes lit up with hope when he asked, “Mandy, I know you love traveling. Did you have fun this time? Did you visit that desert oasis we once promised to see together?”
Javier was avoiding the real topic, so I cut
+60N 11:38
5/6
11:38
Chapter 7
him off, growing impatient, “Javier, what do you really want to say?”
62
He hesitated for a moment, then sighed deeply, “Mandy, you did so much for me in the past. Why didn’t you tell me?”
60% 11.38
