Chapter 4 Mommy!

Cynthia looked at Roy, a mix of emotions rising within her. Roy was handsome, and as a colleague, she knew him well. He was loyal, passionate, and responsible. If they were to date, he would treat her wonderfully-spoiling her and loving her. In every way, he seemed like a perfect partner.

But...

"Roy..." Cynthia wasn't sure how to begin.

Roy spoke earnestly, "Cynthia, I love you! Over the course of our time together, I've realized I've unknowingly fallen for you. I know you need a warm embrace. Please, give me a chance. Marry me, Cynthia."

Around them, guests turned to watch this heartfelt proposal, with some even encouraging her to say yes!

"Say yes!"

More voices joined in, repeating, "Say yes! Say yes!"

Say yes?

Once, she had thrown herself into love, only to be burned. Now, she had no expectations left...

As Cynthia hesitated, a man suddenly walked up to them, his presence imposing and unnerving.

He casually sat beside her, draping an arm over her shoulder, his lips brushing against her cheek before landing near her ear. His low voice, teasing yet unmistakably audible to Roy, murmured, "I had a great time last night."

Lucien!

Cynthia felt as if she'd just stepped on a landmine, her body frozen in shock.

Lucien's purple eyes still held a warm smile, his long fingers affectionately resting on her shoulder. His striking features exuded both confidence and a hint of arrogance, as though daring anyone to challenge him.

"Who are you? DON'T TOUCH HER!" Roy's fury flared. He stood up so abruptly that his glass shattered, the sound of it piercing the air.

Roy tried to grab Lucien, but Lucien effortlessly caught his wrist and pulled Cynthia into his chest, his voice still calm, yet with an undeniable tone of command, "Tell him, who I am."

Cynthia knew that facing Lucien again was unavoidable. The only way she could ever escape him was if, one day, he no longer hated her.

But she couldn't let Roy get involved in this.

"Roy, I'm sorry." Cynthia's gaze was as steady as ever. She looked at Lucien quietly, "This is my boyfriend. We've been together for a long time."

Roy's face turned pale, but he held onto his sliver of hope, "You're lying! He came in just now with a woman!"

Lucien let out a mocking laugh and grabbed her face when she tried to turn away. "Answer him."

Cynthia felt her heart breaking with every word, apologizing silently to Roy.

But before she could respond, an arm slid around Roy's neck. Before Roy could even react, a soft, red pair of lips landed on his cheek with a clear "mwah."

Roy's eyes went wide, everyone in the room stared, dumbfounded by the unexpected scene.

Cynthia turned to see the newcomer, and her shock deepened.

It was the beautiful man from the bar last night.

"Honey, you broke up with me because of her?" Hogan said in a wounded tone, his voice dripping with betrayal. "You promised to love me for a lifetime, but in the blink of an eye, you've said the same thing to her. How could you do this to me?"

Roy pushed him away in panic, covering his face in disbelief, "What are you doing? I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU!"

"We've been together for three years! And you say you don't know me?!" Hogan cried, playing the part of the heartbroken lover. "I know you were pressured by your family to marry a woman. You had no choice, right?"

At these words, the restaurant erupted into chaos. Roy was almost livid with rage. He grabbed the man, "You crazy bastard, stop making things up! I don't know you!"

He quickly turned to Cynthia, "Cynthia, HE'S LYING! I swear I don't know him!"

Roy threw a punch, but Hogan easily dodged it and took a sorrowful step back, "You really are heartless!"

Hogan sniffled dramatically and stormed out of the restaurant.

The atmosphere in the room shifted drastically-surprise, disgust, and people watching with amusement.

In an instant, Roy, once seen as a good man, was now being perceived as a scoundrel.

Roy, still desperate, continued to plead with Cynthia, "He's crazy! You have to believe me! I don't know him! I'm not... I..."

"I believe you, Roy..." Cynthia said calmly, her gaze steady. She looked at Lucien, who was still sitting, casually watching the scene unfold. His eyes glinted with a hint of amusement.

"They ARE lunatic."

Lucien's eyes darkened as he fixed his gaze on her, a hint of something sinister lingering in his expression.

"I'm sorry, Roy. But I think we can still be friends." Cynthia's tone was detached, but her words made Roy's hand slowly slide off her shoulder.

As she watched Roy leave in despair, guilt welled up in her chest once again.

Without warning, she grabbed her drink and threw it at Lucien, "CONGRATULATIONS, you did it again!"

After that she turned and walked away, but Lucien grabbed her wrist tightly, his frustration barely contained.

It wasn't just because of the drink, nor because she had been protecting another man. Perhaps it was because he had always hated her, and no matter what she did, it only fueled his anger more.

"Lucien, It's time to end it.The problem is solved, can't we go eat now?" Sandy's soft voice reached them, as she gently held Lucien's hand.

Surprisingly, Lucien released Cynthia at Sandy's words.

Cynthia felt a wave of relief and immediately turned to leave without hesitation.

Sandy watched Cynthia walk away and sighed, "Lucien, it's been six years. Why can't you let go?"

Lucien didn't answer, just stared intently at that back as if in a trance.

***

Cynthia rushed to the restaurant bathroom, her hands shaking as she twisted the faucet, the water rushing out with a loud "whoosh."

She cupped her hands and splashed cold water onto her face, the sharp chill hitting her like a slap.

Yet, she barely noticed the sensation. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, her face was familiar but felt so foreign. Water dripped down her cheeks, her heart aching once more.

In these six years, she had silently nursed the wounds of love-those sweet moments and painful memories buried deep within her. But no matter how much she tried, he still hated her.

She understood him all too well. After all, he had once been so proud. From childhood to adulthood, it seemed like fate had always favored him, and his halo had never dimmed.

In his world, everything had gone smoothly, while she was probably the only flaw in his life-an imperfection that could never be erased. Thinking of this, Cynthia's heart filled with bitterness and helplessness.

As her mind swirled with thoughts, the sharp ring of a phone call suddenly pierced the air, breaking the suffocating silence.

Her gaze instinctively fell on the phone screen. The familiar number made her pause. After a moment of hesitation, she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself and forced a smile onto her face.

As soon as she answered, a soft, innocent voice came through the line, "Mommy!"