At the Tyrone Mansion, The "cold war" between Jacob Gu and Emily Bai lasted for a week. This time,
the problem between them could not be easily solved unless one of them was willing to give in and
compromise to the other.
At late night as usual, Jacob came back to the mansion drunk.
He drank too much wine today. He hoped to numb himself with alcohol, but the results were obviously
not what he expected.
Jacob was quite sober now, more sober than ever.
In fact, he was sober every night when he entered the mansion. This kind of sobriety gave him pain.
Why? Because it drove him to remember of Emily's betrayal again and again like a broken record.
Because of his deep love for Emily, he couldn't tolerate anything that would desecrate it.
How could this happen?
It shouldn't be like this!
It was like a thorn in Jacob's heart. No matter how hard he tried to ignore, the thorn still couldn't be
pulled out. It kept stinging him all the time. It hurt so bad and he couldn't sleep at night.
He felt trapped in a deserted island and there was no way to ask for help nor find a way out.
The small lamp in the room emitted a dim orange light. Despite the lamp's warmth, his heart felt cold.
Was she afraid of the darkness again? Or the lamp was just open for him?
Jacob couldn't help looking over the bed.
Emily seemed to have fallen asleep. Her face was enveloped by the dim light. Jacob found a long-lost
sense of tenderness from her face, but he knew how rotten she was behind that tender face.
Over these days, Emily treated him coldly. Her eyes, which had been full of happiness before, were
filled with disappointment now.
This made Jacob annoyed and irritated.
Why should Emily be disappointed with him? She was the one who betrayed him after all! Did she
really think she could undo what had been done if they just broke up? How dare she?
Emily had just fallen asleep when she felt something heavy pressing on her and was running out
breath. She opened her eyes and found some drunken man kissing her.
Things like this happened every night. No matter how indifferent they were to each other during the
day, but at night, the man was like a fierce beast, pestering her with strong passion.
Emily lied on the bed numbly, letting him do whatever he wanted to do with her. "Do you think this
means anything?"
When he heard what she had said, Jacob stopped for a moment. He could hardly recognize her
expression in the dim light but certainly could feel the iciness in her voice. He replied flatly, "Yes."
"Well, do what you wish."
With that said, Jacob didn't want to continue anymore. He arched his body, which was supported by his
arms, and looked down at the woman lying under him. He spoke up, "Jack has been transferred to
another place. No one knows if something would happen to him. What do you think?"
Speaking of this, it was surprising that Mr. Gu was so generous in this matter. But Mr. Gu had no other
choice since his weakness was in Jacob's hands. Jacob clearly understood what Mr. Gu most cared
about.
"You didn't have to test me." Emily closed her eyes slowly. She felt very tired but her thoughts and
heart were uneasy, "I hate him more than you do."
Her voice muffled weakly.
Jacob inevitably thought of the words Jack said before leaving.
After the matter was brought to light, what Jack said was intended to make Emily feel better or he just
told Jacob the truth? Or maybe it was both?
"Emily, I am asking you for the last time. Have you and Jack ever have..."
"Have what? You mean, have we ever have sexual affairs?" She opened her eyes and looked directly
at the man in front of her. "I have no recollection of what happened that day. Haven't you already seen
the photos?" Why ask me again?"
Every time this matter was mentioned, it was just like a scab being opened over and over again, hurting
them in the process.
Jacob also wanted to believe Jack's words. But how would someone explain the photo? How could he
believe that a man and a woman without clothes did nothing other than taking a photo? Moreover, he
knew that Jack wanted this woman for too long.
He could choose to believe Emily, but it was no way for him to believe Jack.
Let alone the fact that Emily didn't bother to lie to him. Her honesty was too terrible. No excuses. No
any kind of denial.
"Tell me then." Jacob pressed his lips together and continued his words. The sound from his throat was
dry that every word struggled to be squeezed out from his throat. "As long as you tell me that you didn't
do that, I will believe you."
Emily looked at him baffled after hearing what he said. It never came to her mind that Jacob would say
such words, and she even sensed self-deception from his words. Was it an illusion?
"Jacob, don't you think it is too late to say it now?"
Jacob didn't say anything. His eyes was fixed on her face.
Emily pressed down her lips and gulped, "How can you say such silly words when you obviously don't
believe me? Don't you feel guilty? And my answer may not satisfy you."
Jacob's breathing became heavy, "Go on."
"I know that it is my fault, but that doesn't mean that you can take out all your frustrations at me. I didn't
signed up for that! I am also a victim and suffer in pain. Do you understand?"
"Emily..." Jacob knew that he went too far these days. But at the thought of Emily once had a
relationship with another man, and that there might be someone else in her heart, he couldn't control
himself.
Angry, jealous, resentful, and painful.
She was the woman most precious to him! Yet she confessed that she had betrayed him. He would
rather have her lie to him than hearing the truth.
"So, it's best we break up. I am no longer good enough for you. Has it been hard for you to sleep
together with me these days? Why would you force yourself to do this? Isn't it much better if you just let
me go?" Emily almost finished her words in one breath. She lowered her eyes, trying to hide her pain,
and waited silently for Jacob's reply.
Even if Jacob was willing to accept her, she couldn't forgive herself. She had been passive and humble
in this relationship. She couldn't imagine that after such thing happened, she would continue to stay
together with Jacob as if nothing had happened.
She was undeserving of his love.
At this moment, he realized that she was determined to break up with him. No other questions asked.
"I won't break up with you."
"So, are you going to keep punishing me?"
Her words deeply stung Jacob's heart. He replied, "No."
Emily couldn't believe what he said. The corners of her lips rose up, but she didn't say anything. She
just turned her head and buried her face in the pillow.
The atmosphere was so thick that one can cut it with a spoon.
There was silence between them until Jacob slowly lied down beside Emily. He stretched out his arm
and hugged Emily gently from behind, with his chin against her neck, whispering, "Emily, it's my fault. I
am so sorry. I love you so much, you know."
Emily's body stiffened at his touch. It was clear that she wasn't asleep yet.
Neither of them had a good sleep these days after all.
Even thought there was no response from her, Jacob took a deep breath. He sniffed her fragrance as
he cuddled her. He continued, "Let's forget about this and start all over again, alright? We'll start over
as if nothing happened."
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