"We look out for each other!" Evie hesitated before answering.
"I've always felt guilty toward him. I caused him a lot of pain. Maybe he still hasn't forgiven me. But that's fine. Seeing you two happy together puts my mind at ease," Grace continued.
"Grace, can I ask you something?" Evie looked at her.
"You want to know why Alexander and I broke up?" Grace said.
Evie nodded. She was genuinely curious about that.
"If I said it was because we weren't compatible, you'd think I was making excuses. But that's part of it. Sometimes incompatibility isn't just between two people. It involves family, background, and future plans. I'm independent and ambitious. I wanted to build my own career, not cling to someone. So Alexander and I disagreed about moving back to China. Then his older brother had an accident. I came back with him. His mother, Eleanor, told me directly that she didn't think I was right for him. She said we'd only hurt each other. She also hinted that she wasn't satisfied with my personal background or family status. I was too proud back then to accept that. So I broke up with him. When you're young, you think you can do anything. You let things go easily. When you're older, you realize some things can't be let go. And pride is the most worthless thing."
"You broke up with him because of that?" Evie asked, stunned.
"What else did you think it was?" Grace smiled.
"I don't know. That's why I'm so curious," Evie replied.
She could tell Alexander wasn't completely indifferent to Grace. Otherwise, he wouldn't have rushed to her side when she was critically ill and urged Evie to donate blood. She'd also heard different versions of their breakup. She didn't know which one was true.
"Evie, I'll be honest with you. I regret my decision. If I could go back, I wouldn't have been so impulsive. But what's the use of regret? Even if I begged him to take me back, he wouldn't. I knew that the moment I suggested breaking up. So you can trust him. He's a man worth relying on."
"I understand," Evie said softly.
It was rare for Grace to admit she regretted her choice.
"Actually... you should go home early," Evie said finally.
"You mean go back to China before you get married?" Grace smiled.
Evie nodded.
"It's useless. Didn't I just tell you? Alexander is the type who never looks back. Even without you, we couldn't have tried again," Grace shook her head.
"What are your plans now?" Evie asked.
"I took a year off. I plan to take care of myself. Nothing else. Once I'm fully recovered, I'll either become a career woman or find someone I love and settle down."
"Well, I wish you happiness."
"Thank you. I wish you and Alexander the same," Grace replied.
They parted at the restaurant entrance. Evie told Grace to take care. Grace smiled and nodded.
They probably wouldn't see each other again.
Evie got in the car and headed back to her mother's house. Watching the scenery outside the window, she thought about Grace's words. She felt a lot of emotions. When faced with life and death, external things become meaningless. Or when you've been obsessed with something for years, you suddenly realize it's not that important. Sometimes, holding onto a relationship isn't about not letting go of the other person. It's about not letting go of yourself.
At dusk, Evie was walking in the yard when Victoria came home from work. She looked really down.
"Sis, what's wrong?" Evie walked over.
Victoria looked up. "What are you doing here? Waiting for me to get off work?"
"Just walking. What happened?" Evie asked again.
"Nothing. Just heartbroken," Victoria said.
"Heartbroken? Did you fight with Aiden again?"
"No fight. We broke up."
"Just like that? Why?"
"Maybe we're not compatible," Victoria replied.
This was the second time today Evie had heard that excuse.
"Really broke up?" Evie asked.
"What, you think I'm lying?" Victoria rolled her eyes.
"There has to be a reason. You can't just say 'not compatible' and break up."
"Aiden said our families aren't on the same level. He said there'd be too many conflicts if we got married. He said it's better to break up now than to let things get out of hand. Can you believe that bastard? He knew the gap between our families from the start. Why did he chase me then? Why did he string me along for so long? Now he tells me we're not on the same level! I want to kick him to death!" Victoria's voice grew louder.
Evie didn't doubt that if Aiden were standing there, Victoria would actually kick him.
"So you agreed to break up?"
"What else? Was I supposed to beg him to come back? But I didn't let him off easy. I kicked him hard. Even if he doesn't die, he'll probably have trouble having kids," Victoria said, chin raised.
But then her face fell.
"What's the use, though?"
"Sis, you actually hit him?"
"I didn't hit him. I just kicked him hard and agreed to break up."
Evie was speechless. Kicking someone was still hitting them.
"Sis, I think you should figure things out before making a decision. You're always so impulsive."
"He broke up with me. What's there to figure out?" Victoria replied.
"Why did he suddenly break up? The family gap can't be the real reason. Maybe he changed his mind and fell for someone else. Or maybe he got a terminal illness and doesn't want to drag you down—"