You Once Belittled Me Chapter 2

I dragged my heavy feet out of the shop gate,

for the first time, not staying to work overtime.

The previously clear sky suddenly opened up with a heavy rain,

the icy water drenching me to the bone.

I had no umbrella. As I walked home through the downpour, a honk sounded behind me.

A Bentley pulled up beside me, the window slowly rolling down.

It was Anna.

She looked at me, her expression somewhat complicated.

"Where are you going? I can give you a ride."

I opened my mouth, about to speak,

when Dean, in the passenger seat, stopped her.

"Honey, just give him an umbrella."

"Look how dirty he is. What if he messes up our car?"

I watched her wavering gaze, saying nothing,

like waiting for a verdict whose outcome I already knew.

A black umbrella extended from the car, then splat, fell into the mud.

Anna turned, placing a kiss on Dean's forehead.

"I'll listen to my husband. Your wife will take you to buy a watch."

I watched the receding car,

my hands trembling as I pulled out my old phone, typing word by word.

[Anna, let's break up.]

A sharp screech of brakes suddenly tore through the air.

"Look out!"

I was violently struck, my body lunging forward and falling to the ground.

Warm blood trickled from my forehead,

seeping through my lips into my mouth, the metallic taste spreading in my throat.

An older woman climbed down from a three-wheeled vehicle,

looking at me frantically.

"You can't blame me for this. Blame yourself for being an idiot and not getting out of the way."

She tossed fifty dollars onto me.

"Fifty bucks is enough, right? Don't be so young and try to fake an accident in the middle of the road. You might shorten your life."

I lay helplessly in the mud,

passersby cast curious glances, but no one came to help me.

I felt like I was back five years ago, being ostracized by everyone in my class.

After the accident, I frantically searched my phone contacts, unable to find a single person to ask for help.

Five years ago, Anna walked up to me and extended her hand.

I looked up at her, meeting a familiar smile.

I gently placed my hand in hers, and she pulled hard.

I thought she had pulled me out of the mire.

That umbrella not far away,

mud splattered, leaving mottled marks on its black surface.

I was like that umbrella,

easily tossed from her car window, covered in mud.

I’ve forgotten how I managed to pick myself up and walk home.

I only remember Anna returning home at dawn that day, reeking of perfume.

She saw my state and scoffed.

“Found out I have money, so you’re using a pity play to get sympathy?”

“Arthur Bradbury, I never knew you were so scheming.”

I said nothing, simply throwing the car service card heavily onto the table in front of her.

Anna picked it up, her delicate brows arching.

“Arthur, ten thousand dollars would take you three months to earn.”

“You should be grateful for what I give you.”

“After all, without me, you would have died in that car crash five years ago.”

Seeing the wound on my forehead, her tone softened slightly.

“The past five years were just a test for you, Arthur. Congratulations, you passed.” “I’m actually the eldest daughter of the Sterling family in the capital, and I’ll be the future CEO of Sterling Corp.”

She stepped forward, wanting to put an arm around my shoulder,

but her fingers had barely touched my jacket when I avoided her touch.

“Dean is just my arranged marriage partner, and you, you’re my lover.”

I turned my head away, my voice a little hoarse from the injury,

and with a slight stutter. “You mean, Dean will be your public husband?”

Anna hesitated, then nodded.

“Husband is just a title. As long as you know in your heart that I only love you, that’s enough.”

I looked directly into her eyes and said,

“What if I say, I want that title?”