He Ignored My Love, Another Man Treasures It
Chapter 1
At the party,truth or dare.
Alec Miles's female classmate looked me in the eye and said,“I'm pregnant.It's Alec's baby.”
The whole audience burst into laughter,except Alec.
After the show,he felt a little melancholy.
“What Edwina said is true.Don't think too much about it.We are just siblings,”he explained.“We drank too much at the class reunion that night.
“She comes from a poor family and doesn't plan to get married in the future.She just wants to keep the child as a companion.She will raise the child herself.”
I nodded and asked,“So?”
“But I am the child's father after all and I have to be responsible,”he answered in a second.“From now on,I will stay at her place to take care of her during the weekdays and go home on weekends.
“Cancel the wedding first.After she gives birth and everything is back on track,I will compensate you.”
I smiled and said,“That's good.You've thought it through very carefully.”
He was obviously relieved and left with his suitcase without looking back.
Wiping away the tears from my eyes,I started packing my luggage.
The phone suddenly rang and the other party was drunk and cried,“Kimberley,I like you,don't get married,marry me,okay?”
I paused before answering,“Okay.I am willing to marry you.”
——
I packed my luggage in one go and gently placed my engagement ring on the dressing table.
Looking at the house full of joyous wedding decorations,an indescribable sadness rolled over in my heart.
Three years of secret love,five years of relationship and we were going to get married in three days,but I was caught off guard by his betrayal.
Seeing that tears were about to burst out again,I hurriedly closed my eyes.
Just as I was about to leave with my luggage,Alec sent me a message,[I forgot to bring my bath towel.Can you bring it to me?You should know where Edwina's house is,right?]
I pulled the corners of my lips,of course I knew.
Every month,several of their classmates would go to Edwina's house for dinner,under the pretext of keeping in touch with their classmates.
I was also fortunate enough to be taken there by him a few times.
Every time I saw a few men lying on the sofa playing games and drinking,Edwina was wandering among them in suspender hot pants.
I was also jealous and asked Alec not to go there again.
He looked disdainful as responding,“I also need my own social circle.I can't be tied to you all the time just because I'm in a relationship with you.We have nothing in common to talk about.It's so boring to be facing each other all day long.”
“Don't worry,Edwina is a man in my eyes.Even if she takes off all her clothes and stands in front of me,I won't have any reaction.”
That time when I thought about it,it was all just to coax me.
Seeing that I did not reply,Alec sent me the address again.
I clearly wanted to reply,[No]but somehow I ended up typing,[Got it.]
Bitterness spread in my heart and I finally wanted to see it with my own eyes.
He had been spoiled since childhood and could not even peel an egg.How could he take care of a pregnant woman?
In front of Edwina's house,I clenched the bag containing the bath towel.
Edwina opened the door quickly,wearing a tight vest and hot pants as usual and pulled me in with a bright smile.
Before I could react,she had already taken the bag and said,“Please sit down first.Alec is taking a shower.I'll give him the towel.”
The sound of water in the bathroom stopped abruptly.
“Edwina,give me the bath towel.”Alec's voice was filled with familiar laziness.
A few minutes later,Alec came out wrapped in a bath towel,lowered his head and shook his wet hair and called out very naturally,“Edwina,help me blow dry my hair.”
Edwina stood on tiptoe and scratched her head,sneering,“Alec,who is taking care of whom?Don't get it wrong,I'm a pregnant woman!”
He made a‘tsk’sound and was about to grab her waist to fight back,but suddenly he saw me sitting in the shadows.
Chapter 2
He casually handed the hair dryer to me and said,“Edwina,I won't bother you anymore.You'll hurt my hair if you touch me.My wife is much better at serving people than you are!”
Wife?
No matter who looked at it,Edwina looked like his wife there.
I avoided him and stood up quickly as I refused,“I'm busy,I'm leaving now.”
He grabbed my wrist,looking a little unhappy and ordered,“Give me some face,ok?”
“Face?”I sneered,“Alec,she was pregnant with your child,you packed your bags and moved into her house and now you want me to give you face?When you three were having fun together,did you ever consider my feelings?”
Edwina smiled and pulled Alec away,winking at me.
“Kimberley,I really treat Alec as a brother.That's just my personality,I'm used to being carefree,don't take it to heart,”she explained,“He's here to take care of the baby.We're just buddies.
“Nothing will go wrong if we sleep in the same bed.Our siblinghood is there.”
As she spoke,she suddenly hooked Alec's little finger and shook it.
“Why don't you go back with Kimberley?I can handle it by myself.This little thing won't be a problem for me.
“I don't care.When the child is born,you just need to be a father.”
As soon as she finished speaking,she suddenly covered her mouth and began to retch.
Alec immediately rushed to get a trash can,patted her on the back with one hand and turned to glare at me.
“Kimberley,what do you want?Didn't we agree on this at home?”Alec yelled at me.
My chest felt tight,so I turned around and walked out the door.
As soon as I reached the elevator,my wrist was suddenly grabbed hard.
Alec held my wrist tightly,his brows furrowed as he explained,“I've already explained that Edwina is my sibling!She just wants to give birth to the baby safely.
“Think about it,if this happened in ancient times,I would have to be responsible for Edwina and marry her.You should be thankful now that Edwina never wanted to marry me!
“She is an illegitimate daughter of the Frey Family and she has such a broad mind.As the eldest daughter of the Valencia Family and the future heir of the Valencia Family,you only have this much tolerance?”
I looked up at him,my voice trembling uncontrollably,“Alec,what era is it now?Are you still talking about the ancient times?What does this have to do with your character and temperament?”
Tears welled up in my eyes,I gritted my teeth and said,“You are a top student in the Department of Finance and a famous Investment Consultant in this town.I can't argue with you…."
After a pause,I lowered my head and said dejectedly,“Let's break up.”
Tears fell on the back of my hand,one after another.
Alec was obviously stunned and he loosened his grip on me,somewhat helplessly as he said,“Well,I'll take care of Edwina three days a week and go home the remaining four days,okay?”
As he spoke,he emphasized,“Kimberley,this is my last compromise,don't push it any further!”
I took a deep breath,suppressed my surging emotions and said calmly,“Don't bother with that.After we break up,you can spend every day with her,just don't waste your time with me.”
He stared at me and gave me a final warning,“Are you sure?”
I turned my face away from him and raised my hand to press the elevator button.
He suddenly sneered and pushed me hard,“Okay,if that's what you want!”
I was pushed back unexpectedly,my back hit the wall hard and I gasped in pain.
Alec glanced at me with disdain,turned around and was about to walk back.
Edwina stood at the door and deliberately raised her voice,“Alec,can't you just talk to her nicely?Girls are cute when they are a little bit petty.You have to coax them and not yell at them.Do you understand,brother?”
Chapter 3
Alec naturally put his arm around her shoulders as he responded,“Let her be.She's very shameless.
“You know that when she was chasing me for three years,no matter how coldly I treated her or how much I scolded her,I couldn't drive her away.She just likes to be bullied.”
As he spoke,he pinched Edwina's arm and raised the corners of his mouth,“Women are really troublesome.Siblings are better.”
Edwina immediately twisted her body artificially and poked his chest muscles with her fingers,“That's annoying.I'm obviously a girl,otherwise how could I get pregnant?”
Alec snorted and deliberately put his hand on her chest,“You are so flat and you are still a woman?”
The two of them were laughing and joking and then they slammed the door.
The world seemed to have been muted,leaving only the sound of my own rapid heartbeats.Each beat was like a sledgehammer hitting my chest,causing my entire body to ache.
The elevator finally arrived and I pressed the close door button in panic.
The door slowly closed,but the elevator did not start.
At this moment,Alec’s mother called suddenly,“Kimberley,I know everything about Alec and Edwina.It was indeed Alec who was wrong and I have scolded him severely.Don't take it too seriously.
“There are always bumps in the road for a couple.Some things should be let go.As long as he still has you in his heart,life can still go on.
“Edwina also said that she would not separate you.You don't have to worry about the baby after it is born.I,as a grandmother,will help take care of it.Just pretend that nothing happened.”
I pursed my dry lips and said,“Auntie,forget it.”
Seeing that I would not listen,her tone immediately changed,“How can you be so stubborn,Kimberley!Although you have a low level of education and are only an undergraduate,which is a far cry from us Alec,you should understand the basic principles,right?
“He just made a mistake once and he confessed it to you,but you want to punish him with one blow?Don't you feel tired of being so picky?”
I tightly grasped the phone,my knuckles turning white as I answered,“Auntie,I'm not being picky.Since you've always looked down on me for my low education and my family's business,I'm barely worthy of your son.
“I'm withdrawing now,your son deserves better.”
Without waiting for her response,I hung up the phone.
The Miles Family was full of leaders in the education field.
Every time there was a family gathering,the elders always pretended to be concerned and asked,“What is Kimberley's education level?Which university did you graduate from?What is your major?”
I told them the name of the school,they exchanged glances,shook their heads and sighed,“I'm afraid this school will lower the average academic level of our Miles Family.I heard that children's IQ is mainly inherited from their mothers.Our Miles Family will have a hard time in the future!”
Alec just sat there with a smile on his face and never said a word to me.
He also disliked me.
I remembered when I confessed my love to him for the first time,he looked at me with contempt,“Kimberley,my girlfriend must have a college entrance examination score of at least 700.Your score is just above the undergraduate line,right?”
Later he reluctantly accepted me,probably just because I had been pestering him for three whole years.
In the elevator,I slid down the cold wall and sat on the floor,my breathing becoming more and more rapid.
After an unknown amount of time,the elevator finally started to descend.
The moment the door opened,a slender figure stood against the light.
I could no't see his expression clearly,but I knew he must be frowning,just like he did every time he saw me being wronged.
He raised his hand,gently wiped away the tears on my face with his fingertips and then held me in his arms.
“Kimberley,don't let yourself become like this in the future.”
A strong smell of alcohol hit my face.I wondered how much alcohol he had drunk.
This usually gentle and polite man just swore on the phone.
Chapter 4
I pushed him gently,afraid that the elevator door would close.
He tightened his arms as he shouted,“I won't cheat!”
“What?"I asked in confusion.
“I have discussed it with both of our parents and started preparing for the wedding.Three days from now is the best auspicious day of the year and I don't want to miss it.”
After saying that,he pulled me out without further ado,his wet palms revealing his nervousness.
Looking at his tense profile,I suddenly said,“Phoebe,I want to have a modern wedding!”
He paused,then turned around abruptly,the smile in his eyes like a lit star as he answered,“Everything you want.”
My thoughts could not help but go back to the past.
When we were in high school,he was the most handsome boy in school and I was a poor student who could never be taught by him.
After going to college,we went our separate ways.
He took a three-hour flight to see me every week and he did this for three years without getting tired of it.
Until Alec and I started dating.
As I dragged my suitcase back to Valencia's family's house,my mother hugged me with red eyes and said,“That kind of bastard is not worth it for my daughter’s cry.”
My father made a voice message in the business group with a gloomy face,“Anyone who asks Alec for investment consultation will be making things difficult for me,Valencia Family.”
After comforting my parents,I fell on the bed exhausted.
Opening the social media,Edwina just updated her status on the nine-square grid.
Eight screenshots of her winning the game and in the middle was a selfie of her sitting on Alec's lap and making a V sign.
Caption wrote,[When siblings work together,they can accomplish anything!]
I silently gave a thumbs up.
A few minutes later,Alec called,“Want to play games?Edwina and I will lead you,just follow us,don't run around or mess up the pace!”
In order to fit into his circle,I once begged him to take me to play games.
As a result,that one time,he scolded me severely,saying that I was a loser and a burden and told me to get out.
The game also opened that day,but I did not care about it anymore.
Just as I was about to hang up the phone,Edwina's voice came,“Alec,I feel like vomiting again.It's all your fault!That night I just wanted to try if I had any feelings for a man,but you did it for real.Oh,my waist hurts too,come and rub it for me.”
“Can you please coax your girlfriend later?Which is more important,siblings or women?You can choose for yourself.”
Alec threw me a sentence,“Forget it,I don't want to talk to you.”
There was a busy tone on the other end of the line.
My brain exploded.
What drunken accident?It was all planned long ago.
They actually had some clues a long time ago.
Every time he went on a date,he felt bored and would turn around to play games with Edwina online until late at night.
When traveling,he must bring Edwina with him,because he said,‘She can liven up the atmosphere.’
I saw on the phone that she was always pinned to the top and a special reminder tone was set,saying,‘Gaming Literacy.’
The gift given to me on Valentine's Day always includes one from Edwina and the reason was,‘She's such a pitiful single person.'
Whenever I raised questions,he would fly into a rage,“Are you possessed by a troublemaker?Why don't we just break up,so I don't have to depend on you for everything I do.
“Don't try to control me just because your father has some money.I,Alec,don't rely on your Valencia Family's charity!”
I thought about it countless times that day,‘Would the outcome be different if I had forcefully asked him to keep his distance from Edwina?’
But in front of him,I had always been humble like a housekeeper.
As a result,sensitive,suspicious and stupid were the words he gave me.
Every time I felt uneasy,he defined it as unreasonable.
Even when my father introduced clients to him,it was misinterpreted as an insult to his abilities.
Chapter 5
The next day was the school’s centenary celebration.
I did not expect that the school actually invited outstanding alumni from the neighboring school,Alec and Edwina,to attend as guests.
After their speeches,the host smiled and joked,“You two look like a perfect match,are you a couple?”
Alec did not answer immediately,but instead glanced at me coldly.
I turned away expressionlessly.
Edwina immediately put her hand on Alec's shoulder and said,“Are we similar?We are actually siblings…"
Before she finished speaking,Alec suddenly put his arm around her waist and interrupted,“Yes,we already have a baby.”
There was a sudden burst of cheers and applause from the audience.
I heard a whisper behind me,“Alec was a recognized male idol in the university town.I heard that there was a shameless dog who stalked him for three years,causing him to remain single,but in the end,the dog succeeded.”
“A few days ago,the classmates were saying that they were getting married.Today,the rumor was finally dispelled.”
“She's here today,too.If her family didn't have some money to donate to the school,how could such an idiot like her be worthy of being an outstanding alumnus?”
I clenched my fists,turned around and looked at them when I scolded,“Have you said enough?Why don't you say it to my face?”
Their eyes flickered as they whispered,“We didn't mention any names,but you insisted on identifying yourself with them.”
At this time,Edwina and Alec had already sat next to me.
Edwina hypocritically advised,“Kimberley,these two sisters didn't say it was you,you are too sensitive.”
Alec sneered,“You are shameless!”
With their support,the two men immediately became confident,“That's right,you are just looking for trouble,you are crazy!”
Just then,the host on the stage announced the start of the alumni sharing session and invited me to speak on stage.
I took a deep breath,suppressed my anger and prepared to stand up.
Just as I took a step,Edwina suddenly stretched her legs and tripped me.
I fell heavily to the ground.
My whole body was in severe pain,especially in the knees,elbows and chin and my body felt as if it was being torn apart.
My face felt burning with pain and when I touched it,I found blood on my fingertips.
The entire venue fell silent in an instant.
“Are you too excited,Miss Valencia?”A harsh laugh came from behind,“Giving such a big gift to the school leaders!”
Amid the constant laughter,I was in so much pain that I could not get up for a while.
Alec sat there,lowering his voice and shouting angrily,“Get up quickly!You are embarrassing yourself!”
Edwina pretended to reach out to help me up,“Kimberley,don't do that in this situation.It is just a fall and everyone is watching.”
The pent-up anger suddenly erupted and I fiercely shook her hand away,“Why are you pretending to be kind?Edwina,why did you deliberately trip me?”
“Ah!”She suddenly fell backwards and hit the chair behind her hard,holding her stomach and crying out in pain,“Kimberley!I was kind enough to help you,but you didn't appreciate it and pushed me?What if I get miscarriage?
“Women are such a hassle.If it weren't for Alec's sake,I would have fought with you today!”
After saying this,he turned to Alec,“Alec,control your woman.Small things please the heart,but big things hurt the body.I'm really fed up with these women,they fight over men all day long and have nothing to do!”
I was amused by her remarks.
I saw clearly how Edwina stretched out her leg to trip me and I also saw the triumphant sneer on the corner of her mouth.
That time she dared to turn the tables.
I could not bear it any longer,so I forced myself to stand up and raised my hand to slap her.
Alec took a quick step in front of her and slapped me in the face with his backhand.
The slap was so powerful that it made my vision go black and my ears buzz.
The venue suddenly exploded.
Alec looked at the blood on his hands,wiped it with a tissue in disgust,his eyes as cold as ice as he shouted,“Kimberley,get out of here!”
I stared at him blankly,my throat tightening when I questioned unbelievably,“Alec,can't you stand by my side just for once?”
He was stunned for a moment,then became even more furious,“I'll count to three.If you don't get out of here,we'll be separated forever!Three,two..."
At this moment,I suddenly felt so sick with his superiority.While covering my burning cheeks,I walked out quickly.
Behind me,Alec's tone suddenly softened,“Slow down,don't fall again.”
What he didn't know was that this time I was going to leave him completely.