The Lickspittle's Revenge
The atmosphere was great, and they even embraced and kissed in front of everyone.
I stood by, silently, quietly watching.
She even threw a welcome-back party for him.
On our way to the party, she glanced at me and nervously explained, "I just haven't seen Johnny in so long. I got too excited and kissed him. You're not mad, are you?"
I immediately put on a forced smile and humbly replied, "Of course not! As long as you're happy, I'll accept anything."
She gave me a look of mild annoyance, then turned her gaze away.
I didn't know what she was worried about. After all, I was nothing but a spineless doormat, so it was clear that I wouldn't dare to get angry.
Johnny glanced at me in the rearview mirror, sneering as he said, "Fiona, this guy's worthless. He's been bullied like this and can't even muster a peep.
He's not good enough for you. You should get a divorce, and I'll marry you!"
I gripped the steering wheel tightly, sneaking a look at Fiona.
Her eyes flickered, and I could have sworn she was a bit moved.
But she stayed silent for a long time, not answering.
At the party, Fiona's friends cheered loudly, welcoming Johnny back.
But when they turned to look at me, their smiles quickly turned into sneers.
Someone near me made a point of chatting, mocking me. "Everyone knows Fiona loved Johnny for ten whole years! If it weren't for Johnny's sudden departure abroad, she wouldn't have been too fragile and heartbroken to fall for some pathetic loser who took advantage of the situation.
Now that the real deal is back, it's time for some people to step aside, don't you think?"
Thanks to Fiona, no one at the party had any respect for me.
But I pretended I didn't notice, quietly watching Fiona.
In the middle of the dance floor, Johnny took a sip of wine, pulled Fiona close, and kissed her passionately.
She shyly tried to kiss him back but realized her glass was empty.
She turned to me and snapped, "Bainbridge, refill my drink! Can't you see my glass is empty?"
I hurried to pour her some wine, but she disdainfully shoved me aside and kissed Johnny again.
Johnny suddenly grabbed my arm, preventing me from leaving.
He looked me up and down with contempt and said, "I'm really curious. How did you manage to trick a pure, noble girl like Fiona into marrying you?
Everyone says you're a worthless, self-respecting loser. Show me how you lick her boots."
He tilted his wine glass, letting a few drops of red wine fall onto his leather shoes.
Then, with a cruel kick to my knee, he forced me to kneel and crawl like a dog.
Fiona just stood there, coldly watching.
I gritted my teeth and knelt, wiping Johnny's shoes with my sleeve.
As the mocking laughter filled the air, I caught a glimpse of Fiona's gaze.
It was full of disgust.
She walked over and kicked me aside with force.
"You pathetic disgrace, get away from me!"
She paused, then added, "I'm staying with Johnny tonight."
I immediately understood her meaning and quietly booked them a room.
At the hotel door, I stood stiffly.
Fiona's dress was halfway off, and when she looked up and saw me, she was visibly annoyed.
"Why aren't you gone yet? Don't you realize how disgusting you are?"
I kept silent for a long time.
When she was about to lose patience, I hesitantly whispered, "Fiona, I did well today, didn't I? Can I ask you... please, don't divorce me?"
Her expression shifted, twisting into a mocking smile.
"You, with no self-respect, a worthless loser. How dare you stay by my side?
Why shouldn't I divorce you? Bainbridge, listen carefully. I'm getting a divorce!"
The hallway was dimly lit.
Fiona could see the tears streaking down my face, but she couldn't see the barely contained smirk on my face.
Without a word, she grabbed a slipper from the floor and, without a shred of respect, threw it at my face.
Then, the door slammed shut.
Alone in the empty hallway, I finally allowed myself to smile, wide and free.
I thought, "Divorce? Fine by me."
Everyone thought I was hopelessly in love with Fiona, thinking I was a complete doormat.
Fiona had taken full advantage of my devotion, shamelessly humiliating me and venting her frustration on me whenever things didn't go her way.
But what she didn't know was that I'd been with her for seven years, not out of love, but because of a contract.
In the dead of night, I sat in my car with Fiona's mother, Leslie Avila. She sighed and said, "Bainbridge, I know these seven years haven't been easy for you. Now that the contract is up, find an excuse to divorce her and be free. Just don't let Fiona find out."
At the time, Fiona had been heartbroken after Johnny left her and had become suicidal.
Desperate, Leslie had come up with a plan. She wanted to hire someone to pursue Fiona, help her get over her heartache, and slowly guide her back to her studies and career.
Back then, I was an ideal choice. I graduated from a prestigious university, broke and desperate for money.
The contract was for seven years, with an annual salary of five million dollars.
Now, after playing the part for so long, this doormat was finally going to be free.
I drove home exhausted, only to find a package waiting for me at the door.
It was from Aeloriade, far across the sea.
Inside the box were intricately arranged wooden carvings carefully wrapped in layers of foam.
I couldn't help but smile. This was a rare, genuinely warm smile.
I slept soundly that night.
The next morning, Fiona texted me for the first time in ages: [Bring your ID. We'll meet at the courthouse.]
I breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
I laughed all the way to the courthouse, only to quickly put on a face full of tears when I saw her and begged her not to divorce me as usual.
Fiona rolled her eyes and demanded that I apologize in front of everyone.
Without hesitation, I did exactly that.
But she was only more annoyed. With a sharp slap, she gritted her teeth and hissed, "You really are a pathetic, worthless loser, aren't you, Bainbridge? Do you have no dignity?"
The more I gave in to her, the more she hated me.
However, when I ignored her, she'd come crawling back. I felt it was impossible to figure out who was the real pathetic one.
But now, to ensure the divorce went through smoothly, I bent lower than ever.
Fiona glanced down at me coldly and said, "If you want me to stay married to you, then swear.
I want you to swear that you'll never interfere with me and Johnny again, that you will allow us to do whatever we want. And remember, you're just my pet!"
I swore immediately, with pleading eyes, completely sincere, even trembling as I did.
More and more people gathered around, and Fiona's frown deepened.
She was clearly disgusted by my level of submission.
The divorce was so close I couldn't help but smile inwardly.
"Fine, we won't divorce. Let's go."
Her words, which she thought were a gracious favor, felt like a thunderclap to my ears.
I stared at her, stunned and confused.
Seeing the look of panic on my face, Fiona smirked.
She was clearly delighted by her little trick.
After leaving the courthouse, we headed straight for the company.
I was so overwhelmed, and my mind was spinning. I couldn't understand how things could have changed so quickly.
When we arrived, I saw Johnny waiting by the door.
As soon as he saw Fiona, he anxiously asked if she had divorced me.
When he noticed the wedding ring still on her finger, his face darkened.
Fiona immediately took the ring off but didn't offer an explanation.
She led Johnny into the meeting room and announced to the entire company that Johnny, the talented overseas returnee, would now be her special assistant.
She said that from now on, he'd be in charge of all her work and personal matters.
Throughout it all, Fiona kept her hand tightly clutched around Johnny's, giving him all the security he needed.
At that moment, she made it clear to everyone that she was his backer.
I remember when Leslie first arranged for me to join the company.
Fiona either yelled at me or openly gave me the cold shoulder.
Everyone in the company knew that Fiona couldn't care less about me, her so-called "servile husband", so they all followed her lead.
In the end, I had no choice but to rely on my own efforts, working tirelessly day and night. Gradually, I made achievements and earned the respect of the whole company.
During that time, I collapsed from exhaustion several times and had to be hospitalized.
Fiona never once came to see me. Instead, she coldly sneered, saying, "Of course no one respects you here, you're just the President's lapdog. Figure it out yourself, don't expect any help from me."
Upon thinking about that, my gaze towards Fiona unknowingly grew tinged with sadness.
But thankfully, I was about to leave.
That afternoon, as usual, I went to find Fiona for lunch, hoping to discuss some projects with her.
Johnny stopped me outside the door, grinning smugly. "If you have anything to say, just tell me. I'll pass it along to Fiona so she doesn't get upset seeing you."
When no one was paying attention, he lowered his voice, sneering, "You shameless little bast**d, are you enjoying being the third wheel?
Open your eyes, and take a good look. See how Fiona values me and how little she thinks of you!"
Suddenly, Johnny grabbed my hand and fell back.
The hot soup from my thermos splashed onto him, and he cried out in pain.
Fiona rushed out with a look of concern, gently comforting Johnny.
When she turned to face me, her eyes turned cold with disgust.
She slowly lifted the thermos above my head.
The scalding soup, mixed with vegetable leaves and bits of meat, poured down onto my face and neck.
My skin immediately turned red and burned with pain.
Fiona spoke with a detached tone. "Did you forget the vow you made this morning? Don't dare touch Johnny again, or I'll abandon you!"
As those words hit, the entire company fell into stunned silence.
Johnny, pretending to be magnanimous, hugged Fiona and said in a pitiful tone, "Fiona, don't do this to Bainbridge. He'll be heartbroken.
As long as I can stay by your side, I don't care if I'm burned or even if I'm just a powerless assistant getting trampled on. Hell, I'd die for you right now!"
I couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
But Fiona smiled with satisfaction, her eyes filled with affection.
She immediately announced that from today onward, I would be removed from my position as vice president and replaced by Johnny.
She said, emphasizing each word, "I don't want to see anyone bully Johnny. If it happens, I won't hold back!"
A wave of bitter anger surged in me, and I wanted to say something.
But Fiona threatened me that if I said another word, she'd file for divorce.
I wanted to make the divorce go smoothly, so I looked at her calmly, then asked, "So, you've chosen him?"
Fiona's silence hung in the air like an invisible thread, drawing everyone's attention.
She stared at me, her irritation clear.
Finally, she took Johnny's hand, turned coldly, and walked away.
But before Johnny could savor his triumph, Fiona suddenly stopped, her voice tinged with regret. "Sorry, I was impulsive earlier. Everything will go back to normal."
Without sparing me another glance, Fiona walked off, leaving me with nothing but the slender, straight back of her figure.
I stood there silently, an unfamiliar emotion stirring in my chest.
Later, Leslie found me and, with a meaningful look, said, "Fiona's temper has always been bad. I've never seen her put up with someone like she has with you.
It has been seven years. Don't tell me you haven't developed any feelings for her."
I lowered my eyes and smiled without responding.
No matter what, I was leaving. I still had one thing I needed to do.
A few days after that incident, Johnny suddenly suggested we go diving.
He pretended to be all friendly, saying, "Why don't you join us, Bainbridge? Fiona's spent enough time with me. I keep telling her she should spend some time with you, but she won't listen."
I pushed him away in annoyance.
Fiona saw it, and in front of a crowd of tourists on the beach, she slapped me hard across the face, shouting, "Are you just born with a filthy nature? Stop being so shameless! Johnny's trying to be nice to you!"
Then she turned back to Johnny, her tone soft, "You're too kind, Johnny. Don't waste your time worrying about that sc*m."
Johnny shrugged theatrically, glancing at me from the corner of his eye, a smug smile on his lips.
I rubbed my sore face and sneered, "Kind-hearted? Me, a sc*mbag? Fiona, are you really that biased, or are you just blind?
Sometimes, I really don't know which one of us is more disgusting, you or me."
Fiona looked at me in disbelief.
She was shocked that this pitiful, subservient lapdog of hers had suddenly changed and dared to stand up to her.
That was because I had already come up with a plan to leave without needing a divorce.
I knew Johnny wouldn't just invite me to dive for no reason.
He must have been plotting something.
Sure enough, underwater, he kept "accidentally" getting close to me, lingering around me.
Soon, the air from my oxygen tank started thinning, and I began to feel suffocated.
I realized Johnny had secretly turned off the valve on my tank!
I began signaling for help.
But Johnny suddenly pressed up against me, removing his own oxygen tank and weight belt, then frantically waved his arms toward Fiona.
Fiona's heart was never on my side.
The moment she saw me signaling for help, her first thought was that I was bullying Johnny again.
Her eyes filled with disappointment and annoyance as she shoved me aside.
Then, in a hurry, she helped Johnny with his oxygen tank and began ascending to the surface.
Struggling to breathe, I grabbed her ankle, pointing to my oxygen tank, signaling for help.
She just shot me a cold glare, then kicked my hand away.
Clinging to Johnny, she swam upwards toward the surface.
When they weren't looking, Johnny shot me a glance, his eyes filled with malicious glee as if saying, "Go ahead and die."
What Johnny didn't know was that I was born by the sea, and diving was practically in my blood.
When their figures were far enough away, I skillfully turned on the valve.
I swam to a different part of the shore and rested against some rocks, gasping for air.
I took off my gear, turned off the oxygen tank valve again, and threw it into the sea, watching it float away.
Johnny wanted me dead.
Well, I'd give him what he wanted.
If I couldn't escape through divorce, maybe I could do it through death.
I took off my wedding ring and tossed it into the ocean.
A big wave came, and the ring disappeared.
I let out a carefree laugh and turned away, walking toward freedom.
I thought, "Goodbye, Fiona. I hope when you hear the news of my death, you shed at least a few tears. Just don't laugh too much."
When they resurfaced, Johnny was half-conscious.
He pretended to have choked on water. When Fiona gave him mouth-to-mouth, he woke up.
Fiona, full of concern, hugged him tightly. "Let's go, I'll take you to the hospital now!"
Johnny weakly asked, "What about Bainbridge? Shouldn't we wait for him?
Fiona, don't blame him. I don't think he meant it.
Even if he did, I guess it's my fault. After all, I took you, and I love you so much!"
Fiona glanced at the calm sea with a look of cold indifference, then quickly turned away without another word.
"Don't worry about him. I have a whole bunch of lapdogs. He's just one of them. If he died in the sea, I wouldn't bat an eyelash!"
They went to the hospital.
After the check-up, they found Johnny was fine. Fiona finally relaxed.
She stayed with Johnny at the hotel overnight and then came home the next day.
Expecting to confront me, she opened the door to find the house completely empty.
There were no signs that anyone had been home.
She realized that I hadn't come back all night.
Fiona frowned and made a phone call.
But the man who always picked up after one ring didn't answer this time.
She looked worried for a moment but then gritted her teeth and muttered to herself, "That bast**d, he must be trying to play some trick to get my attention.
Not happening. Even if you're dead, I wouldn't care!"
In the days that followed, Fiona's world fell eerily quiet.
So quiet that it made her uncomfortable.
Every call she made was left unanswered.
She was truly panicking now.
She wanted to go to the beach to look for me, but Johnny stopped her.
Johnny pretended to cough weakly.
"Fiona, is Bainbridge still upset with us? Don't worry, once I see him, I'll apologize and explain everything. It'll be fine."
Fiona finally turned her attention back to him.
She frowned and said, her voice dripping with disdain, "What's the point of apologizing to someone so spineless and pathetic? You've done nothing wrong!"
Despite her words, she still drove to the beach.
Standing before the calm sea, she felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
She shouted, "Bainbridge! Is this what you wanted, for me to care? Well, I'm here now. Are you happy?
Come out now. If you don't, I swear, I'll divorce you. I will not take you back anymore!"
But the only reply was the soft, soothing sound of the waves.
The white foam seemed to bring something with it.
Fiona squinted, and her face turned ashen.
It was a diving suit, one she recognized immediately.
She rushed over and, tucked away in an inconspicuous corner of the equipment, she found two letters: B&F.
In that instant, memories came flooding back.
Back then, when she was drowning in emotional pain, she nearly jumped into the sea to end it all.
It was Bainbridge who had grabbed her desperately, telling her if she wanted to experience the deep sea, he could teach her to dive.
That day, the sun was bright, the water sparkled, and his smile had been so warm.
It was the first time she saw Bainbridge as something other than a humble servant.
And that was the day she had accepted his confession.
He had been so happy, carving those letters into the corner of the gear.
He'd said that from then on, it would be their bond.
But now, their bond floated aimlessly on the sea.
The owner of it was gone.
Fiona frantically examined the gear.
When she saw that the air tank valve was closed, her face drained of color.
The next day, I found the friend I had contacted earlier.
He let me stay at his place for a few days, buying clothes and some necessities for me.
He also got me a ferry ticket.
Today was the day I was set to leave.
We drove to the dock, but there was a huge traffic jam.
Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the noise.
It was Fiona.
She was no longer the composed and dignified woman she used to be. Now, she was hysterical, crying into the phone, "Mom, his diving gear washed up on shore. I've called everyone to help search, but we can't find him.
I shouted his name to the sea, but there was no answer. He loved me so much. He would never ignore me!
Do you think... maybe he..."
I instantly understood.
And yet, I felt a strange surprise.
I didn't think it would take Fiona all these days to realize I was "dead."
However, I thought that she had probably spent the days before staying with her dear Johnny.
Johnny was right beside her, playing the role of the concerned, loving man, gently comforting her.
Once she hung up, Fiona suddenly pushed him away.
She looked at him with a flicker of suspicion in her eyes.
I guessed she might have finally realized something was off.
After all, Johnny and I had been so close under the water.
Under normal circumstances, the air valve wouldn't have closed by itself.
I leaned in closer to the window, watching secretly.
But at the sight of Johnny's pitiful eyes, Fiona immediately believed him.
She leaned on his shoulder, sobbing louder.
I felt a bitter disappointment.
Then, I couldn't help but laugh at myself.
I didn't know what I was expecting.
I thought, "Did I really think Fiona would question Johnny, the man she loved so much, for what happened to me?"
The traffic started moving again, and our car slowly advanced.
The landscape outside the window receded, getting farther and farther.
As we passed the traffic jam, the car picked up speed, and soon, Fiona's figure was no longer in sight.
I boarded the ferry smoothly, heading for the other side of the ocean.
And when the coastline was out of view, I finally looked away.
I thought, "Fiona, this time, it's truly goodbye."
At the Avila Manor, the air was thick with the smell of alcohol.
This was Fiona's fifth day wandering the beach.
She wanted to find Bainbridge's body but also feared finding it.
After much internal struggle, she realized it was all for nothing.
She hadn't found anything.
Drunk out of her mind, she sank into despair.
Half-conscious, she murmured, "Bainbridge, I'm tired. I just want to sleep."
Before, there would have been someone to lift her up and tuck her into bed gently.
But tonight, she called out several times. After a while, someone finally picked her up.
She tried to grab the person's collar but heard an unfamiliar voice.
"Fiona, please don't like this. I really care about you."
She froze, her eyes flying open. She soon realized that the one holding her was Johnny.
She pushed him away, stumbling to her feet.
Johnny's eyes flashed with a dark look, but he still spoke patiently. "Didn't you always say that Bainbridge was just a pathetic lapdog? You wouldn't care if he died?
Fiona, I love you! I had no choice but to leave before, but now I'm back. And I know you love me, too.
That lapdog is gone now, making way for us. Why don't we get married? I promise..."
Before he could finish his sentence, a slap landed hard on his face.
Johnny stood there, stunned, staring at Fiona in disbelief.
Fiona, equally shocked, didn't comfort him like she had before.
Instead, she pressed her forehead and said, "Don't ever call Bainbridge that again. I'm tired. Please leave me alone for a bit."
Johnny clenched his teeth as though wanting to say something, but just then, the door opened.
Leslie slowly walked in.
Johnny eagerly stepped forward to greet her but was coldly pushed away by Leslie.
She scoffed, "I saw how you flirted with my daughter and then abandoned her. I watched as she suffered for you!
Get out before I say something even worse!"
Johnny's face shifted through a range of emotions, but in the end, he left without a word.
Leslie's gaze softened as she looked at Fiona, filled with quiet, motherly sympathy.
After a long hesitation, she placed a document on the table.
With a sigh, she said, "The last time you were this heartbroken was when Johnny dumped you. Back then, Bainbridge was there to save you. Now... I don't know who could help you out of this pain.
I don't know if this will help, but Fiona, you need to know... I'll always be your rock."
After waiting a long time for a response and receiving none, Leslie quietly left.
When Fiona heard the door close, she slowly climbed to her feet.
She picked up the papers and rubbed her temples as she read.
When she saw the title of the document, she froze.
From sunset until nightfall, Fiona remained frozen in place.
She finally realized that the love she thought Bainbridge had for her had never existed. It was all just a contract that had kept him by her side.
She realized that his humility had been nothing but an act.
She realized that she wasn't a lapdog and that he had just been doing his duty.
Fiona finally understood what had happened between them, and she trembled violently.
She wanted to cry but couldn't.
She didn't even know what she should feel at that.
Finally, she trembled and whispered, "Did you ever... love me, even a little?"
Sadly, there would be no answer.
That night, Fiona searched frantically through the house.
She wanted to find something, anything, that would remind her of Bainbridge.
It was only then that she realized how little of his things remained.
In the corner of the wardrobe, she found a few boxes.
The contents were gone, but the shipping labels were still there.
All the sender's addresses were from Aeloriade.
Fiona stood frozen. She had been with Bainbridge for so many years, but she had never heard of him having any friends in Aeloriade.
Then it hit her. She had never really asked where Bainbridge was from. She didn't know where he had grown up, who his friends were, and she had never even met his parents.
After a brief moment of contemplation, she opened her phone and booked a flight to Aeloriade.
Even though it was late, she still wanted to know more about Bainbridge.
Five days later, I finally stepped onto the land of Aeloriade.
This was the small island where I was born and raised, at the edge of the country.
I was taken away when I was twelve.
I hadn't been back in years, and the familiar sea breeze hit me, almost like it was welcoming me home, a lost child returning.
Dragging my suitcase, I walked with a sense of memory, heading straight to a large, rusted gate painted in blue.
I knocked on the door.
A face that was both unfamiliar and familiar appeared at the door. The person froze for a second when she saw me.
But after a closer look, a surprised smile spread across her face.
"Bridge! What are you doing here?"
As I walked inside, I glanced around.
There were a dozen or so children playing nearby. Some were missing limbs, and others had disfigured faces.
The only one who seemed normal was a deaf child.
This was an orphanage.
Or maybe even worse than that.
This place took in children abandoned by their parents because of congenital defects.
I had once been one of them.
My parents' faces had faded so much in my memory that I couldn't picture them anymore.
But I still remembered their disappointed eyes when I couldn't speak when the other kids my age could do well.
I'd forgotten what they looked like, but I never forgot the look they gave me that day.
Later, doctors diagnosed me as mute by birth.
My parents had come to Aeloriade to work; their finances were tight.
Upon hearing the news, they chose to abandon me on a cold winter street.
But fortunately, I was found by Jaqueline Mendez from the orphanage.
She was a thin old woman with a sharp tongue, always calling me a "little mute", saying I was like a dud brat.
But it was she who tirelessly helped me learn to speak.
When she first heard me speak, she cried with joy.
Jaqueline spent all her savings and did everything she could to treat me.
Eventually, she found me a good family, and I was adopted.
Most of the children in the orphanage weren't from Aeloriade.
On the day she sent me off, Jaqueline kept straightening my collar.
She said, "The other side of the sea is your home. You're going home now, and you'll be happy."
And for a few years, I was happy.
But then, my adoptive parents died in a car accident.
Their relatives didn't want to take me in, and I didn't want to burden Jaqueline again.
I worked hard to put myself through school, determined to get into the best university.
I thought if I found a good job and earned a lot of money, I could send it back to Jaqueline, buy her new clothes, and pay for the medical treatment of other kids.
But I wasn't growing up fast enough. As a newly graduated university student, no matter how talented I was, there was no way to make much money.
My salary at the time was barely enough to cover the monthly medical expenses for the children at the orphanage.
It was around this time that Fiona's mother appeared.
She gave me a contract, offering me a job with a handsome salary.
That was how I became Fiona's "lapdog."
Later, I became her husband.
"Bridge, thanks to the money you sent back, my legs are so much better after the surgery.
Too bad Ms. Mendez couldn't see you return. I buried her in a flower-filled cemetery just a few miles away. If you have time, I'll take you there."
I'm the director here now. Oh, I forgot to mention. I married Ethan..."
Carlee Hudson's endless chatter brought me back to reality.
It began to soothe the ache in my heart.
The once fragile kids were now all grown, standing on their own feet.
I smiled with satisfaction.
When she asked when I was leaving, I shook my head.
"I'm not leaving. I plan to stay here for good, guarding the orphanage with you, and guarding Ms. Mendez."
Thanks to my education and the projects I had worked on at the company, I was able to find a decent job here.
The salary was good, the work wasn't too busy, and it was close to the orphanage.
Whenever I had time off, I would visit the children.
Their world was missing something.
Jaqueline had been a woodcarver. Whenever a child was missing something, she would happily carve it out and give it to them.
When it was my turn, she struggled for a long time.
She could carve arms and legs easily, but how could she carve a voice?
In the end, she carved a figure of me with my mouth wide open as if I were chattering nonstop.
Over time, woodcarving became a tradition at the orphanage.
Even though Jaqueline was gone now, the children had learned to carve for themselves.
When I donated all the money Leslie had given me to the orphanage, Carlee tried to refuse.
I told her, "Just send me the children's works, and treat it as though I'm buying them."
Years passed, and I ended up collecting several large boxes of wood carvings.
That day, I was in the workshop, carving.
Suddenly, voices from outside caught my attention.
The voice was so familiar that I froze.
But then I thought, perhaps I was overthinking things.
I knew Fiona's favorite was Johnny, and she had probably married him by now.
I thought, "Why will she drop everything to come here?
Besides, for seven years, she hasn't cared about me. How would she even know this place?"
Holding a child in my arms, I was teaching him how to carve eyes when the door suddenly swung open.
Carlee walked in, puzzled. "Are you Bridge's friend? He never mentioned you..."
I froze.
I looked up and found myself face to face with a look of wild joy.
Fiona stood there for a long time, her face streaked with tears, as though she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
She suddenly threw herself at me, hugging me tightly, like she was holding something she thought was lost forever.
She cried out, "You liar! How dare you deceive me! Do you remember what you said at our wedding? That you'd always be with me, that you'd never lie to me!
But now you're not only lying, you've abandoned me! Do you know what I've been through these last few days?!"
I was a bit helpless, opening my mouth, but only a sigh came out.
"But, from the moment we met, it was all a lie." Fiona paused.
She looked at me seriously, shaking her head. "I'm not mad at you for lying. I just want you to come back with me. Please?"
Fiona had always been proud, especially looking down on me.
But now, her tone was almost pleading.
Looking closely, I noticed a slight tremor light in her eyes.
A strange feeling rose in my chest. In just half a month, it seemed like our positions had completely reversed.
But I still shook my head.
From the moment I decided to leave, I never thought about going back.
I pushed Fiona away, deliberately being cold to her. "You want me to come back? Fine. When I was begging you for forgiveness back then, I was humbled. Now, don't you think it's time for you to be humble too?"
Fiona froze, her expression unreadable.
I thought that someone as proud as her, who had been pampered since childhood, would never want to appear humble.
I only hoped she would give up.
But to my surprise, Fiona looked at me calmly, took a step back, and actually bowed.
This time, it was me who was stunned.
In the end, I still didn't agree.
I urged Fiona to go back, but she wouldn't give up. She even decided to stay here.
No matter what I did, even if I were working, she would always be nearby.
She kept sneaking glances at me.
Once, I was the one constantly pestering her, making her feel annoyed.
But now, I didn't initiate contact, didn't care for her.
I didn't even spare her a passing glance.
This new me was strange to her, making her uncomfortable, but she felt more intrigued.
One evening, after dinner, she helped me clear the dishes.
Suddenly, she turned to me and, with a serious look, asked, "Do you know why I gave up everything back home to come here and find you?
Bainbridge, I think I've liked you for a long time. I just didn't realize it back then. I was too naive."
Her feelings for me weren't surprising. In fact, I had sensed it long ago.
I knew that when she held my hand, when she wanted me to have dignity and stop being a doormat, and when she chose to disappoint Johnny but refused to divorce me.
But it changed nothing.
I replied calmly, "Even if you liked me long ago, don't forget, that wasn't the real me.
This is who I really am."
I wanted her to know that this cold version of me, the one who argued with her, the one who ignored her, who stayed silent in front of her, was the real me.
Fiona didn't get discouraged. Instead, she suddenly smiled.
She reached out a hand to me.
"Then let's get to know each other again. It used to be you chasing me, now it's my turn to chase you."
From that day on, Fiona truly started pursuing me.
She set off fireworks for me and spent nights learning wood carving just to impress me.
Even though she had never done housework before, she began learning how to cook for me.
She was just like I used to be, full of hope and anxiety, always appearing in my line of sight.
She would nervously ask, in a tone filled with anticipation and fear, "Bainbridge, in these seven years, did you ever like me? Even just a little?"
Just like in the old times, when she always kept her silence in front of me, I responded with silence.
One day, an uninvited guest arrived on the island.
Johnny, with a group of people, came to take Fiona back home.
His face was full of jealousy as he stared at me, as if surprised I hadn't died and furious that I had taken Fiona from him.
I didn't want to get entangled with him, but he rushed at me, grabbing me, trying to play his fake little trick.
With tears in his eyes, he pretended to speak sincerely. "Bainbridge, I'm glad you're okay. You don't know how worried I've been about you... I..."
I scoffed and interrupted him.
I didn't respond directly. Instead, I looked at Fiona.
"If I told you I never touched him, that he turned off my oxygen tank valve on purpose, that he really meant to kill me...
Would you believe him, or would you believe me?"
Fiona froze.
Her eyes swirled with doubt and hesitation.
Johnny, looking hurt, stared at her. "Fiona, I..."
Before he could finish, Fiona slapped him hard across the face.
She glared at him angrily, picked up a wooden stick from the ground, and started hitting him until he ran off.
Then, she turned to me and smiled.
"I admit, I didn't do well before. I didn't trust you, didn't protect you.
But from now on, I want to change. Please, give me another chance."
I stayed silent for a long time.
Then, I suddenly spoke. "It's impossible."
Fiona was taken aback, looking at me in confusion.
Seeing the expression in her eyes, I held up my bare ring finger and said, slowly, word by word, "You asked me if I liked you during those seven years, and my answer is I never did.
Go back. Whether it's to inherit your family business or marry Johnny, it doesn't matter. We'll never be together again.
If, back then, when I was underwater, I wasn't trying to escape but really counting on your help, then I might be dead by now.
The first thing I did when I climbed onto shore was throw away the wedding ring. I don't want you anymore, Fiona. You can think of me as dead."
Fiona's face gradually turned pale with each word I spoke.
That day, it seemed Johnny forced her to leave.
Since then, I haven't seen her again.
I quietly stayed on this small island, living my life between work and the orphanage.
About three years later, I suddenly received a package.
It was from Fiona.
Inside was a donation letter saying that her company would donate eight million dollars to the orphanage to help treat the children's illnesses.
It also mentioned hopes for a long-term donation relationship, with plans to offer jobs to the children.
In addition, there was a letter.
Fiona wrote that she hadn't married Johnny. After returning, she kicked him out.
She expelled him from the company and from her home.
She had investigated his background and discovered he owed a lot of money abroad. His return wasn't for her but to scam her into paying his debts.
So she sent him back, and the moment he stepped off the plane, his creditors were there to take him away.
I imagine his fate wasn't a pleasant one.
At the corner of the package, there was a small red velvet box.
My heart skipped a beat. I opened it.
Inside, a diamond ring was quietly resting there.
I ran my palm over its edges. The familiar scratches and texture told me this wasn't a new ring. It was the one I had thrown into the sea.
It had lain on the vast ocean for three years.
I couldn't imagine what Fiona was thinking when she diving time and again, relentlessly searching until she finally retrieved it.
The fact that she found it was a miracle in itself.
I stayed silent for a long time before I threw the diamond ring into the trash.
Glancing at the blue fabric corner poking out from the wall, I chose to ignore it and calmly turned to walk inside.
After I entered, Fiona slowly emerged from the wall, her face full of defeat.
She stared at the blue iron gate for a long time, the light in her eyes dimming bit by bit before she finally turned and left.
Her slender figure, upright as always, seemed unchanged from three years ago.
In a corner where she couldn't see, I watched her go.
She had asked me countless times, and Leslie had asked me too, and even Carlee and the children at the orphanage were curious about that question.
They wanted to know if, after seven years with Fiona, I ever had any feelings for her.
The answer was yes.
I suddenly remembered that time when I was about to graduate from university, running from one interview to the next.
On a scorching summer day, I squeezed through crowds again and again, only to come away empty-handed.
I lay on the steps, exhausted and on the verge of passing out.
Then, a girl handed me a bottle of water.
She was beautiful and young but wearing expensive clothes, surrounded by bodyguards.
She was clearly from a wealthy family, so different from me.
She glanced over my resume briefly before handing it to a subordinate.
She smiled at me and said, "Don't give up so quickly. You're actually pretty good. When you have time, come for an interview at my company.
It was over there."
That was when I realized she was Fiona Avila from the Avila Group.
That was the first kindness I had received since my adoptive parents' death.
It felt like fate because not long after, Leslie contacted me and made me the offer.
And so, with the thought of "could she ever like me?" I slowly got closer to Fiona.
But unfortunately, our feelings seemed to have missed their timing.
Just a small misstep and we could never go back.
The sea breeze brushed against my face, and only when Fiona boarded the boat did I look away.
We were heading in opposite directions, one to the deep sea, the other to the isolated island, away from each other.
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