"It is in its final stages."
"And your parents?" The Xun Family were one of the older families in Mainland China when it came to retail business. They were also one of the companies which were able to branch out to Shenzhen where they started doing online business. They are considered as one of the forefathers of the retail industry.
"My mother is quite accepting and said she will welcome me back to the family while my father— he is quite traditional and does not believe in divorce." She bit her lips before letting out a sigh. "I was planning to buy a condo and live with Gannon after my divorce. I— I guess this is not happening anymore."
"You are giving up?" Lily raised an eyebrow, surprise apparent in her voice. "That's surprising." She actually thought this woman would kill someone just for the sake of Gannon.
"I tried to — at least I thought of killing myself on my way here." Ignoring Lily's words, Madam He let out another sigh. She stared at her now empty cup. "I'm a mess."
"You are."
"I'm sorry."
"Xun Yiyi… for once… can you stop apologizing to other people?" Lily folded her arms across her chest.
"I— I can't do that." Madam He's meek voice responded. "I'm a mess and this is all my fault."
Lily rolled her eyes. "Yes, you are a mess and this is all your fault. I mean… just…" Lily gestured towards Madam He's face. "Look at your face. You look horrible. When was the last time you slept?" Without her make up, Madam He's bags were quite obvious.
"I— I don't know." She closed her eyes as memories of Gannon entangled with someone in the bed that she used to sleep in hunted her. Was this her punishment for being immoral? Slowly, a tear trickled down her cheeks. She couldn't stop it.
The pain was still there. Like a fresh wound, she could not just stop the bleeding with her realizations. Her lips morphed into a sad smile. Maybe this was her karma. The karma she deserved.
"Do you really want to keep a man like him?"
Madam He did not need to answer Lily's question out loud. Both of them knew that she really hoped to spend the rest of her miserable life with Gannon.
"You know before you came into his life… he was already like this, yes?" Lily continued. "He had been sleeping with a few other married women living in The Peak. Women who were members of the same 'community' you are so involved with. Of course Madam Liu is not aware of this. But… her daughter is."
"What do you mean?"
"Liu Chin is not aware of your relationship with Gannon. But… she is aware of the women… before you."
"She didn't say something to me."
"Of course she wouldn't. She doesn't owe you anything. Let's be honest here… the women in your 'community' do not like each other. They like to upstage each other. There's a difference."
"Liu Chin… did she… did she cause Gannon to leave those women?"
"No idea." Lily shrugged. "I didn't have the time to ask those women about their infidelity. That would be an awkward conversation, wouldn't it?"
"That is true." Madam He said.
"Do you need more tea?"
"No… I— It's enough. Thank you."
"Good. Then… rest. We can talk tomorrow when you are… not as hideous." Lily rose from her seat. "Lin Siyang… guide her to her room." Lily uttered. Soon after a young man stood next to Madam He.
In response Madam He gave a sad smile to herself.
"And oh!" Lily halted her steps. She turned towards Madam He. "If you are planning to kill yourself. Please don't do it in my house." Lily smiled before leaving. "Goodnight." She heard Lily said as she walked towards the stairs.
Madam He nodded silently. Tears were once again pooling in her eyes. Could she just stop crying? She asked herself inwardly. This— All this was just embarrassing. She hugged the towel tighter. Lily's words echoed inside her. 'If she wanted to kill herself'
Does she really want to kill herself? Does she really want to end her life just because of a man like Gannon? She gulped. No. Dying is the easy way out.
She had been through a lot already. She can't just end her life because of a heart break.
"Please follow me."
Madam He eyed the young man and nodded. She rose from her seat before she followed him towards another room in the ground floor of the mansion.
She was lucky, she thought. She was lucky to hear the reality from Lily. It was the wake up call that she needed. Lily's words might be harsh. But it was the truth. The harsh reality.
"These are all clothes that the Madam didn't have a chance to wear yet. The bathroom is right there. Have a goodnight." She heard the young man said in a respectful yet aloof tone.
"Thank you," she managed to say as she walked towards the bathroom. The tub immediately made her sigh in relief. She took off the towel from her body before eying her reflection on the huge mirror.
Slowly, tears spilled on her cheeks. She immediately wiped it. She wished she could just stop crying. However, she could not deny that her messy state was breaking her heart. How did she become like this? She asked herself.
She sobbed, wiped the messy mascara and raised her chin a little higher. This would be the last tears that she would shed for Gannon. This would be the last tears that she will shed for her broken heart.
"I promise." She uttered as she met her eyes. Slowly a gentle yet painful smile blossomed on her face. This will be the last night that she will let herself suffer like this.
Tomorrow is another day. Tomorrow would be her new beginning.
....
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