Chapter 52: Chapter 52

At a different table, Ray was discussing his relationship. Samuel was the one who brought the topic up initially.

"No way. Hailey and I don't have such chemistry. Feel like I don't get along with her that well." Ray's tone was not arrogant, nor full of hatred, but more helpless.

Samuel was distraught to hear that. "Why? You know it's not her fault she was framed that time."

"I know. But framed or not, it doesn't matter why our relationship ended, Sam."

"Ray, she suffered a lot after breaking up with you." Samuel clenched his fists on the table. "She almost committed suicide!"

The words sunk into Ray's ears like pressure. His head felt throbbing. He avoided Hailey and Samuel from hearing things like this, and Samuel was now provoking him. If it was because of him, Hailey really did that, he wouldn't even be able to have a face anymore.

He remembered something and opened his phone. When Samuel saw it, he was completely stunned.

It was a photo of Hailey and Halen. They were very ... intimate.

"Someone sent me this photo," Ray explained.

"Who? Who the hell sent it to you?" Samuel chased after him.

"Just someone. I don't know."

"Do not know them?"

Ray nodded.

"And you believe it?" Samuel's voice rose. "Seriously, Ray! You're telling me, someone unknown sent this photo, and you believe them? For God's sake, you and Hailey almost got married!"

It was true, they almost got married after five years of being engaged. His father really liked Hailey, even his grandfather wanted them to have grandchildren quickly. But after he had been in a relationship with her for so long, he felt empty. Like planting corn in barren land, the seeds don't bloom at all.

He thought that if he continues this relationship, neither of them will be happy—she will not be happy!

At first, no matter which woman would become his lover, he could accept them. But after he got to know Fillo and Alexa, he felt he needed a woman like that, and finally he had the criteria for his ideal woman.

That is, women are who they are and don't wear fake masks.

After a month of living together, he knew that Alexa was a very simple woman. She wouldn't dress up if she didn't have to, she wore a modest knee-length negligee, her hair was tied high with a clip, some of the strands would fall to the side and make him want to tidy them up, she didn't even wear nail polish. Looked a bit sloppy, but he like her.

Seeing how simple she was, he felt he found a woman who wouldn't overdo the relationship, or wouldn't be too fussy if she ran out of perfume in her drawer.

He likes independent women.

Involuntarily, his eyes searched for where Alexa was sitting in this restaurant, only to find that she was no longer there.

Samuel caught his gaze and narrowed his eyes. "Is it because of that woman?"

Ray looked back at him. "Who?"

"You said to little you—I mean, that little kid; 'see you at home', so your relationship has gone that far?" Samuel's face looked intimidating and unhappy.

See, Samuel even admitted that Fillo looked like him even though he was reluctant.

"You misunderstood, Sam." Ray sighed. "Something happened, and I even hurt my hand because of it."

"So she's the one who hurt your hand? It turns out I was right, she's not a good woman. You don't even know her origins clearly," Samuel emphasized. "You know, there have been many crime cases where the main perpetrator was a woman. Nowadays, women cannot be underestimated."

Ray didn't seem to like Samuel's words, he said, "Alexa is a good woman."

Samuel laughed scornfully.

The two were silent for a while and in a heated atmosphere. To calm themselves down, they inhaled the coffee smoke that was floating in the air wholeheartedly. This red and black nuanced restaurant was basically cool, gradually their hot hearts relaxed.

Samuel and Hailey are good friends, he even considers her to be his own sister. Ray understood Samuel's anger and didn't want to provoke him.

But how could he continue this relationship if there was no love in his heart?

Ray didn't really remember how the two of them met. Samuel was his classmate at university. That was when he just met Hailey, who had become his girlfriend. According to his father's story, he and Hailey had been matched by their respective families and his mother was the one who agreed with that.

Because he really appreciates women, he didn't refuse either. It was just that his memory was very vague about things in the past.

Five years ago, precisely before he was sent to Canada for treatment, his father urged him to get engaged to Hailey. In the end they got engaged and had a long distance relationship.

His father also said that his mother really wanted Hailey to be his wife and this was her last request before she died. Hearing his father mention his mother, he couldn't move. Everyone would definitely mention his mother if he didn't do anything and knew that was his weak point.

His mother had been dead for more than twenty years, although there were not many memories of her in the past, but he remembered a few memories from his childhood. That was the reason why he couldn't decide on Hailey.

And now, when he had no reason to stay, he finally decided to end this relationship. Maybe he would explain to his father later that he had someone else in his heart.

Alexa.

Suddenly, a pair of hands hugged his neck from behind, making him startled.

"Ray, I missed you."

This voice …

Ray turned his head and found that Hailey was the one hugging him. Half of her face was almost buried in the one-sided embrace, but he recognized her scent.

"Hailey, we're in a public." He tried to free her hands, only to have it pulled tighter.

He glanced at Samuel and glared at him, Samuel shrugged pretending not to know. But he couldn't possibly be unrelated to this, Samuel must have invited her.

"Hailey, please let me go," Ray coaxed gently.

"Don't be angry with me anymore, please."

"I'm not mad at you," he said.

Hearing this, her face slowly looked up, revealing her sharp and thick makeup. She was still as usual, beautiful and well-groomed. But he saw panda eyes that were not completely covered by make up there.

Hailey broke away, ignoring Samuel, and pulled out a chair to sit down. Her attention was only on Ray at the moment.

"Ray, I can't live without you." She held his hand tightly, her eyes filled with tears. "Please don't treat me like this. I'm sorry. Please."

Ray said nothing in response. Now he understood why Samuel had brought her here. This restaurant was very close to her agency office.

This bastard!

Samuel must have planned it!

"Ray, I'm sorry that I damaged property in your office, but ... but I've cleaned up the mess I made. You definitely understand why I did it. You definitely understand, right?" Her eyes filled with tears. "I'm completely helpless. Please, Ray, don't leave me."

Ray could never stand a woman's tears. This was the first time he saw Hailey cry. She was used to being very happy with her daily life, especially when she was shopping for clothes.

The point was, it was very rare to see her cry.

And he suddenly remembered how he had made Alexa cry several times. Indeed, no matter how strong women are, they very sensitive and emotional.

His hand took a tissue and gave it to Hailey. "Wipe your tears first."

Hailey paused only to look between Ray and the tissue alternately, before reaching for it. She rubbed her face carefully and gently.

Her voice was hoarse as she said, "You forgive me?"

Ray sighed. "I wasn't angry with you from the start, I was just annoyed."

"S-So you ... you're going to come back to me, right?" She was so happy that her smile bloomed.

"It's not like that, Hailey, I—"

"Then what, Ray?! Tell me, what must I do to make you trust me! I didn't betray you, Ray. I was framed!"

"Hailey, sorry."

Hailey cried. "Ray, give me a chance. Please, Ray. I promise I will prove it to you! I love you."

His heart almost wavered for the umpteenth time.

He looked at Samuel to reassure himself, seeing the man had no expression at all. He took a moment to breathe, before finally, shaking his head.

"Sorry, Hailey. I ... really like someone right now."

... to be continued ...