His Heart Softened
Scarlett’s POV: As I stared into Charles’ affectionate eyes, I remembered how I had lost myself in his
eyes countless of times in the past. Even until now, it seemed that I couldn‘t free myself from his gaze.
But in the end, he broke my heart. And now, I had learned my lesson. I would never ble so foolish ever
again. “Have you forgotten what you told me before? You said you never loved me,” I said in a calm
voice. I deliberately tore open my wound to remind myself of its pain, and to tell myself never to be
addicted ‘to his love again.
“Scarlett, those words were said in the spur of the moment. I never meant them!” Charles held my
shoulders, visibly anxious. “Is that so?”
Even though I had warned myself of this moment so many times, tears still welled up in my eyes and
completely blurred my vision. Each time that he said something to hurt me, he would always claim that
he merely said those words because he was angry. It was like I was his plaything. Whenever he
wanted me, he would shackle me to his side at all times. And once he didn’t want me anymore, he
would get rid of me just as easily. I had had enough of it.
His love for me was always fickle. The day he told me that he never loved me, I died inside.
In the dim room, I ran my hand along his face, down to his angular chin and his Adam’s apple.
This face that had been engraved into my very soul was something that I could never forget for the rest
of my life. But I was exhausted. I didn’t want to love him anymore. “If you really love me, Charles,
please set me free. I‘ll take my kids to a place that no one ever knows and I’ll raise them on my own.” I
held his face as tears fell from my eyes. “What about me?” Charles asked in a hoarse voice “You’ve got
so many other choices, don’t you? You have Rita and Nancy. There are countless women obsessed
with you. They’re gentler, more considerate, and more obedient than me.” “But they’re not you! Scarlett,
I can no longer live without you. You can’t just be selfish and run away like this,” Charles grunted as he
cupped my cheeks. Tears streamed down my eyes. My mind was completely chaotic right now, “Hush
now… don’t cry.” Gently, he wiped my tears awayand embraced me “Please, let me go,” I pleaded.
Charles didn’t respond. He just hugged me like a dragon guarding his most prized treasure.
******
After that night, he disappeared.
It seemed like he had vanished from the surface of the earth. I had no idea if Charles had gone
softhearted, but his departure gradually helped me put my life ‘back on track. One day, on my way to
work, I accidentally saw William in a cafe outside the TV station. It had been so long since I last saw
him. “Long time no see, Scarlett,” he greeted while approaching. “You‘re right. It has been a long time,
hasn‘t it?”
William seemed to have lost weight, and he looked disheveled. We then sat in the cafe in silence. Too
many things had happened lately, and we both needed some time to process it. “Are you really going to
stay? How did he persuade you?” William asked after taking a sip of his coffee. “Charles said that he’s
going to another city to handle a new project and wouldn’t come back in a few years, which means he
won’t be troubling me for the time being.” As I held the cup of coffee in my hand, I smelled the aroma of
the coffee.
“Oh? What kind of project would need Charles to personally handle it?” William said sarcastically.
I looked into his eyes and frowned. Somehow, he looked kind of neurotic now. “I think it‘s best that we
don’t see each other again, William.” “But why not?” William was visibly surprised. “The only reason
you came to this city was because your sister’s heart was in Rita’s body. Now that you’ve gotten it
back, there’s no more reason for you to be here. Besides, you career isn’t here.”
I stared at him, weighing the pros and cons for him.
“And besides, I don’t have any extra energy to hang out with friends right now. Between work and my
kids, 1 barely have any time for myself.” “Did he tell you to say that? Has he agreed to divorce you only
under the condition that you cut off ties with me?” asked William. For some reason, he seemed riled up.
“Look, my decision has nothing to do with Charles. I just think it‘s time for both of us to start a new
chapter of our own lives.” As a matter of fact, William and I had been stuck in the past. I figured it was
time for us to move on. “Scarlett, starting over a new life is a lie. You‘re just deceiving yourself. All i
know is that the woman I love is sitting right in front of me. I can‘t just lie to myself by moving on and
living as though nothing had happened. Can’t you understand that?”
The sun shone down on William’s face through the glass window as he stared at me with his firm yet
gentle gaze.
I wasn’t sure how I could persuade him from this.
“Look, it’s fine. Whenever you feel unhappy and want to leave this city, you can contact me anytime. I’ll
help you unconditionally,” he said. Once William had left, I sat in the cafe on my own for a long time.
When my colleague finally called to urge me to go back, I let out a deep sigh and went back to the TV
station.
******
A month later, the program about postpartum mothers had begun shooting.
My first guest was Mary Jones, a great mother who managed to raise three sons by selling homemade
pizza. Mary seemed restless in the studio, so I brought her a cup of hot cocoa to soothe her nerves.
“Don’t be anxious, Mary. Just think of it as chitchat,” I said. She took the cup from my hand and took a
sip. Gradually, she appeared more relaxed.
“Mary, why were you so determined to work during your pregnancy?” I asked.
“What other reason could it be other than money? I was really poor back then,” Mary said in a bleak
voice.
Not long after, a smile appeared on her lips. “Honestly, being poor isn‘t that terrible. Over the years, my
husband and I have been supporting each other. We have three sons, and we both work hard to
support our family. And now, we’re living a much better life than before. I’m very proud of what we’ve
accomplished.”
The smile on her face displayed a realistic beauty that had overcome years of adversity. Somehow, I
envied her. Even though her life wasn’t as good as she hoped it would be, she still had the fervor and
By the time the show was over, it was already late, so I drove home in a hurry.
As soon as I opened the door, I saw James playing on the carpet as little toys lay beside him.
“Hello, my dear! I‘m home.”
James immediately looked at my direction, threw away his toy car to the ground, and rushed to hug
me.
“Mommy!”
All the exhaustion I had felt throughout the day seemed to have disappeared at this moment.
“Mommy, can you play with me, please?”
I caressed James’ soft hair as he looked up at me expectantly. “Mommy, where’s Daddy?” he asked.
My hand froze upon hearing the question. “Do you miss your dad, James?” “Yes, I do. It’s been so long
since I last saw him.”
James looked a little disappointed.
I hugged him lovingly and said, “Dad is on a business trip. That’s why he hasn’t come to visit you. But
when he comes back, we’ll see him right away, okay?” “Okay…” James leaned against my chest
listlessly. Suddenly, he pointed at the phone in my hand and exclaimed, “We can call Daddy!” Upon
hearing the suggestion, I let out a sigh. Even though I’d rather not see Charles, I couldn’t deprive my
child of the right to see his father.
At this time, Tracy came over, and it gave me a brilliant idea. “Tracy, do you mind using your phone to
video call Charles?” I asked. Tracy’s body trembled and her face turned pale. “What now?”
“James wants to see his father.”
I was confused. I couldn’t understand why she was so scared.
“I, um... I‘m here to pick up Jerry and Jason. It‘s time for them to eat.” She then grabbed the twins and
ran out. I didn‘t even have enough time to stop her. “Mommy...” The way James looked at me made
him look so pitiful. ‘Fine. Calling him isn‘t a big deal!’ I said to myself. Finally, I picked up my phone and
video called Charles.
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda