Helen's POV:
I remained holed up in the meeting room till all my colleagues left.I was clueless about where to
go.Perhaps I should book a room in a hotel for a few days.I needed to hide my red swollen cheek from
George.I thought the office was deserted, but when I stepped out, I found Phil still sitting at his desk,
busy as usual.
He had obviously remained behind out of concern for me.He looked up at me when I finally came out of
the meeting room, turned off the computer, and approached me.
"Where are you going? I'll drop you off." Phil was always such a caring and considerate man.I was
greatly touched by his compassion so I gave him the name of the hotel I planned to stay at.
"Okay! Let's go." Phil picked up the car keys and we walked to the garage.
He was so understanding that he didn't ask about the unpleasant incident involving George's mother
earlier.
After entering the elevator, Phil suggested, "Helen, instead of going to the hotel now, may I suggest
that we pop in at my home? You can visit with my mother for a bit.She hasn't seen you in a while and
really misses you."
"Thank you, but I'd rather not.I'm afraid the sight of my swollen face will give rise to too many
questions." I had finally managed to calm down after spending hours alone in the meeting room.
"Okay."
Phil didn't insist and opened the door for me like a true gentleman.I fixed my gaze out of the window as
we traveled to the hotel.I was in a stupor and my heart felt like a deep, dark, bottomless pit.
It was not until Phil called my name that I returned to the present.
"Helen, your phone is ringing.Answer it."
Actually my phone had been ringing for quite a while but I really didn't hear it.My mind was so far away.
When I saw George's name pop up on the screen, I was hesitant to answer it.
Finally, I took his call.
"I'll give you one more chance.When will you come back?"
George's voice was sad but firm.I couldn't hold back any longer and I shed bitter tears.I felt so
aggrieved by the incident that I almost choked on my heavy sobs.
"I don't want to come home tonight." I couldn't let him see his mother's handiwork on my face.
As it was, George was torn between his mother and me.He was already deeply saddened by the
manner in which his mother had treated me of late.
lf he learnt that his mother had slapped me so hard, there was no telling what he would do.I was not
afraid of his mother’s threats.I just didn't want George to suffer, being caught up in this merry mess.
Phil and I were sitting close enough for him to overhear our conversation.
Then he said, "I think the car behind us is George's.I noticed him following us for a long time."
I looked up at the rearview mirror and saw that George was indeed following us.
The pain in my heart began to slowly ease like a ray of sunlight passing through the clouds.
As soon as Phil finished his words, George accelerated and caught up with us.He made a sharp turn
and stopped in front of us.
Phil braked in time to avoid a collision.
My body jerked forward and then bounced back into place.
Fortunately I was wearing my seat belt.I looked out and realized that my mind was still hazy.
George got out of his car and strode towards me.
He knocked on my window and gestured to me to get off.
Unfastened the seat belt obediently and got off the car.
When George saw me, there was horror in his eyes.He held my face in his hands and stared at me.He
then asked with much angst, "What happened to you?"
Only then did I recall the tight slap.I held his hand and reassured him.
"it's okay.It doesn't hurt anymore."
"Did my mother do this?"
"She found it hard to accept our marriage." I quickly recounted to him what had happened.
George's face became paler and paler as he tried to digest the information I shared with him.He tried to
touch my cheek but then quickly withdrew his hand for fear of hurting me.He asked worriedly, "Does it
still hurt?"
"No, it's much better now."
Although George's mother had used all her strength to slap me, I could bear it because I have a high
threshold for pain.But I was very sad.I knew that my marriage with George would be received with
objection, but I never expected to be assaulted by his overbearing mother.
In the afternoon, when she rushed in, she glared at me as if she were the wolf and I was little Red
Riding Hood, ready to be eaten up.
George bit his lips, took my hand, and helped me back into Phil's car.
Then he said to Phil, "Mr.Mason, please do me a favor and drop Helen off at home."I sensed that
something was terribly wrong.I rolled down the window and asked, "Where are you going?"
George stopped and comforted me, "Don't worry.Go home and wait for me there.I'll be back very soon."
"Are you going back to your parents’ home?’ I asked agonizingly.
"Don't think too much.I'll be back before you can miss me."
"Don't be too impulsive.Talk sensibly and peacefully with them, okay? They're you parents after all."
"Okay." George waved at me and drove away.
George's POV:
I promised myself that I would not act impulsively.I was actually very calm, and I know the way I tried to
communicate with my parents backfired.I had talked to them several times and had told them how
much I loved Helen.I had warned them not to hurt Helen, but they still disrespected the both of us.
So they couldn't blame me for being brash and disregarding their feelings now.I could still vividly
remember the time at the staff canteen of Zhester Technology, I stopped Helen without first finding out
the facts, which directly resulted in Jane slapping her.I would carry that pain in my heart for the rest of
my life.
That guilt was eating away at my soul.
Today, sadly, Helen was slapped again because of me.
When I saw the swollen, red palm print on her face, I was devastated.I felt her pain.
The person I loved and cherished so much had been humiliated and hurt by my own family! I could not
stomach that.
For the entire duration of my flight, my hands trembled, but my mind was as clear as a mountain
stream.
As soon as I got home, a very disturbed maid came out to meet me.
"Mr.George, you're back.Mrs.Affleck is too angry to have dinner.She has locked herself in her room for
hours.Recently she has been in poor health.What if something happens to her?"
This maid had been working for my mother for many years.She was brought here by my mother when
my parents just got married.I had grown up before her very eyes, so I knew she was staunchly devoted
to my mother.
"Please ask her to come down.My father is also home, right? Call them both here," I ordered calmly.
I'd never had a close bond with my family.But now I was so disappointed with my parents and the
family for suddenly feeling the need to shape my life.
The maid went upstairs and summoned them.
Soon, my parents came downstairs.
My mother was under the impression that I had come to apologize, so as soon as she came
downstairs, she scolded, "So you've finally realized your mistake? Look at what you have done.You
insist on marrying a scheming gold digger and hiding it from us.If this family means anything to you,
you will divorce her immediately!"
l ignored her unwarranted outburst.
When they were both seated on the sofa, I facetimed Grandpa.
"What's the need to call your grandfather?" my father asked, uncomprehending.
Grandpa was the most dignified and most powerful person in the family.
Even my parents were afraid of him.We never bothered him with our daily affairs.So my calling him up
was a big deal.
When the phone was connected, I said, "I have something of utmost importance to announce to
everyone."
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