Talia fell silent for a moment, then said, “Last night, I called off the engagement.”
Kayson’s black hair ruffled in the wind, and his eyes were deep.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak, a knock came from the ward door.
A nurse, holding a thermometer, peeked in.
Kayson stood up and adjusted his necktie. “Think about our marriage. Have Gavin inform me anytime if you make up your mind.”
As he spoke, he picked up a cup, walked to the water dispenser, poured a cup of warm water, and placed it beside Talia’s bed.
“Have a good rest. I’ll come back to see you.”
After Kayson’s tall, straight figure disappeared, Talial composed herself.
She couldn’t help but think of Kendrick again.
How had Kendrick changed?
She recalled the first two years after returning to the Taylor family. Since Talia would vomit at the smell of gasoline, Valerie often took the bus and walked on the way home from
school.
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Occasionally, when she turned around, Talia would see Kendrick trailing behind her.
He wore a customized school uniform, hands in his pockets, with a cold expression.
Talia deliberately stopped and waited for two minutes.
Kendrick, with his tall stature and long legs, caught up quickly,
He towered over Talia, his expression icy. But when he looked down at her, the love in his eyes was unmasked.
At that time, Kendrick must have had feelings for her.
Later, during the school’s centenary celebration.
As a class representative, Valerie was set to perform the piano on stage, and her partner happened to be Kendrick.
Before going on stage, Valerie’s hand was somehow injured. She sobbed, telling Kendrick, “It’s all my fault,” looking wronged and pitiful.
The school was funded and operated by the Deven family. As a board–member family, the Deven family naturally sent representatives to the centenary celebration.
Kendrick’s mother wanted her son to show up at the schor event to demonstrate the Deven family’s talents.
But no one could have predicted that Valerie’s injury would ruin the carefully prepared program.
Kendrick asked Valerie how she got injured. Valerie shed tears, shook her head, and glanced at Talia, refusing to speak.
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After being repeatedly questioned, Valerie claimed that Talia had hit her hand with a brick,
Talia was only 18 at the time. Because of Valerie’s words, Kendrick slapped her in public.
“Ken, how could you hit Tally!” Valerie rushed over and shielded Talia behind her. “She’s my sister. I don’t blame her!”
Reflecting on the past, Talia felt a bitter urge to laugh.
There were so many incidents like that, too numerous for her
to even count.
Over the years, she had been numbing herself.
She constantly told herself that it was all due to Valerie’s meddling that she and Kendrick had grown apart.
But she conveniently forgot that the rift wasn’t caused by just one side.
Three years ago, it wasn’t just Valerie’s false accusation and her parents‘ tacit consent that sent her to prison. Kendrick’s overindulgence of Valerie was also a key factor.
Just then, there came a knock on the door.
Talia instinctively wiped the corners of her eyes.
Gavin entered, carrying a tray of breakfast. Noticing that Talia’s eyes were red, he gave them a quick glance but chose
not to mention it.
After placing the breakfast down, he said gently, “Ms. Taylor, if I may be so bold, tears should be reserved for those who truly deserve them.”
Chapter 41
Talia was taken aback, a hint of vulnerability showing on her pale face. She nodded. “I understand. Thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me.” Gavin looked at Talia, his lips parting as if to say something, but then he hesitated. “The doctor said you can be discharged tomorrow. Ms. Taylor, do you have a place to stay?”
Talia pursed her lower lip and lowered her head, using a spoon to stir the oatmeal in the bowl.
She didn’t want to return to the Taylor family, and it was likely that the Taylor family wouldn’t welcome her back either.
But if she didn’t go back, it meant she had nowhere else to go.
Gavin seemed to sense Talia’s dilemma and said gently, “If you have no place to stay, Ms. Taylor, why don’t you consider marrying my boss.”
Talia was taken aback. “Your boss?”
Gavin nodded slightly.
“My boss is 29 years old. He’s single and has never had a girlfriend. He’s a decent man and in good health. If you marry him, you won’t have to worry about him being unfaithful, and you won’t have to fret about having no place to stay, since my boss owns several properties.”
Noticing that Talia was stunned and remained silent, Gavin continued, “If I’m not mistaken, Ms. Taylor, you’ve just experienced a heartbreak, haven’t you? As the saying goes, by starting a new life, you won’t be held captive by your past feelings anymore. So, why not give it a try?”
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Talia clenched her fingers and then released them.
She understood that one must move on. But…
Wasn’t it too hasty to get married so quickly, especially to a stranger she had only met twice?
Just then, there was another knock on the door.
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