Chapter 70: Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Ron held my hand tightly and asked me again, "Why? You're not happy here either. Even though you say Enzo isn't harming you, I know he's always finding ways to bother you and Rollo. Why not come with me? I won't hurt you; you know what kind of person I am."

I naturally knew that if Ron were a bad person, he would never have helped me for over six years, and he hadn't gained anything from helping me.

"I know, Ron. But this time, I can't go with you. You've helped me a lot, and I can't help you with anything in return," I said, unable to look him in the eye, so I couldn't see his current expression.

Ron seemed unable to accept my vague reasons and asked again, but this time with a choked-up and reluctant tone. "Flora, I once said that I respected your decisions, and no matter what you decided, I would stand by your side, but... I also want to know the reason why you don't want to come with me."

I looked at Ron's tired face, feeling guilty but unable to find a way to rectify things. The reason I couldn't leave with Ron was quite simple: I had overheard the conversation between him and his mother, and it was highly likely that this accident was just a cover for something else.

Before I could respond, Ron continued, "I'm not forcing you to accept my feelings. If you can't, we can still be friends. It won't change our close relationship, nor how I treat you and Rollo."

I listened in silence as Ron spoke, his words gentle but filled with a hint of regret as if he had missed his chance. Ron was the only man I found strange because he had never been selfish or demanded anything. Many times, I wondered if he didn't realize he was at a disadvantage.

I wanted to comfort him, but I had already made my decision. Even though I hadn't heard the recent conversation, I was firm and resolute in my choice. The only difference was that after hearing the conversation, I was even more determined.

"Don't you feel disadvantaged yourself?" This was a question I had asked myself many times. Ron looked at me with a puzzled and suspicious expression. "Feel disadvantaged? Who, me? What are you talking about?" Ron asked incredulously.

I only looked at him without responding, and Ron seemed to understand my question. He nodded firmly and said, "I've never felt that way, not even for a fleeting thought."

I didn't understand. If it were the other way around, if I were Ron, I would feel sorry for myself, but the man didn't seem to feel that way. "Why?" I asked.

"I don't know anymore. Everything I do is just to make you happy, just seeing you smile makes me happy," Ron looked at me and smiled gently, but his eyes revealed exhaustion and sadness. "But I also know that your feelings for me are different from mine for you. Honestly, I'm very sad and disappointed, but there's nothing more I can do because those are your own feelings, and emotions are something we can't control."

After leaving the hospital room, I stared blankly into space, thinking I had made up my mind not to leave Ron, but after hearing him speak, I felt shaken.

"You're only making me feel more guilty and conflicted," I said with a bitter laugh. Why doesn't he question me about why I don't respond to his love or get angry because I won't be with him? Anything as long as he feels it's beneficial to himself. Maybe then I would feel more comfortable now.

Before I left the hospital room, Ron said, "I've said it before, I'll wait for you, no matter how long it takes." The words that I had never paid attention to suddenly felt like a sharp knife piercing my heart. I didn't need him to wait, not ever.

While Ron claimed he could wait for me, I didn't want him to waste his time and youth on me, and not just me but anyone else either.

"So, you're... Flora?" The middle-aged woman in front of me was Ron's mother. I had met her when I visited Ron, and at that time, she had no idea of my identity. I politely and gently replied, "Yes, it's me."

Her demeanor and arrogant posture made me feel overwhelmed, and I couldn't look at her directly. Part of me also felt guilty towards her son.

She glanced at me briefly to assess, then sighed, "We met that day; perhaps you don't remember. I'm Grace Cole, Ron's mother. You mentioned being his former colleague, right?"

"Yes," I nodded softly. "Mrs. Grace, why did you ask me to meet you here?"

I looked at her friendly smile and her attempt to make the atmosphere more pleasant, but her direct question left me frozen.

"No need to be so friendly," she said, clearly making me uncomfortable. "I know you're Enzo Robert's wife, and you have two children together. Do you love my son?"

Her straightforward question caught me off guard. "I... Ron and I are just close friends... I..." I hesitated, wanting to say "No," but I couldn't.

She seemed relieved when I replied, exhaling audibly. "Good. I thought you two were in a romantic relationship. If that were the case, I wouldn't approve. Ron, my son, has never married and has never been in love with anyone. He's a discreet person who never shares anything with me."

"I would never accept Ron being in love with a woman like you," she hissed, her voice dripping with bitterness, and her gaze turned icy as she looked at me. I felt my heart sink and disappointed. I never imagined I would meet his mother and hear words like these.

"Because I was Enzo's wife? I overheard your conversation with Ron. Is it because of me?" I hadn't finished my sentence when Grace lightly slammed her hand on the table, causing me to stop.

She immediately interrupted me, "You're putting yourself too high, Flora. I know you're Enzo's wife, and my family doesn't want any connection to that man. But the issue lies with you, you're not qualified to be with my son. Perhaps Ron wants to be with you because he likes you, but he probably hasn't revealed his true identity to you, has he? My family is a main branch of the Reed family."

"The Reed family?" I looked at the woman in astonishment. The Reed family was one of the oldest and wealthiest dynasties, owning a colossal fortune, as well as numerous restaurants and hotels under their ownership.

She saw that I understood and simply chuckled, continuing with an air of extreme arrogance.

"Judging by your expression, I assume you already know. Ron left home due to some issues, wanting to pursue his own career rather than inheriting the family's wealth. I say this even though you may be unaware, but you should understand Ron's noble status. Therefore, even if it's not love, you don't have the right to become my son's friend. Not to mention, you and Enzo haven't even officially divorced yet, and yet you cling to my son all day long. It's truly audacious, and you've caused many misunderstandings about your relationship with my son."

I was almost paralyzed by her words, and it seemed like I had lost my ability to think and speak. It wasn't until I regained my composure that she was looking at me with a judgmental and unpleasant look, and she handed me a check.

"I don't know why you want to divorce Enzo, but I don't want you to be involved with my son any further. Ultimately, your background is quite low, coming from a poor village, with your mother passing away early, and your father being a drunkard. Your education and looks are quite ordinary, and women like you are a dime a dozen out there. Take this check; I know that as Enzo's wife, you probably aren't short on money, and this can be considered as compensation for your spirit." She pushed the check in front of me, her words filled with arrogance and clear disdain.

I stared at the check before me, feeling only disgust. I stood up and looked directly at the woman who was deliberately belittling me. I wanted to respect her because she was Ron's mother, but at this point, I couldn't maintain an attitude of respect and courtesy towards someone who had insulted and belittled me.

I remained calm and composed as I said, "It's regrettable that I can't accept this check from you. If you think my essence is meek and you look down on me, perhaps you've forgotten that I'm the one who proposed a divorce with Enzo. If I needed money, I would never have considered divorcing him."

She looked irritated, but I had nothing more to say. I immediately turned and left the restaurant. But as I walked away, tears couldn't be held back, and they began to flow.