Ella sobbed, lowered her face, and shook her head. "Let's get a divorce, or this scandal will continue. I don't want you to ruin your honor because of me."
"I don't care about my honor."
"You have to think about the honor of your family, your company. Don't be so selfish." Ella felt her shoulder blades shatter, but not as much as her heart.
"Just don't get divorced...' David's voice was low, pleading. His fingers stroked Ella's cheek, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Don't cry, persevere again, okay?"
Ella stopped crying, only whimpers, she pushed his hand away. "Can not..."
David's heart almost broke. His calm demeanor trying to disguise himself over the years had been torn apart by her attitude today. He grabbed her hand, his voice hoarse. "Don't go, maybe I won't be strong."
Ella cried silently. "Then, don't be strong, now that we're broken up, we won't need to be strong." Let her go, good for him, and good for both of them.
David was still holding her hand, not letting go. Ella sighed, removing his hand from hers.
And just like that, Ella strode away. David took a step forward, squeezing her wrist. "For once, stay."
"Please, leave me alone. I need time to think."
David's grip slowly loosened, he could only stand silently, watching her leave. If only he tries, what does that mean?
The next morning, Ella didn't come to work. In the current situation, as soon as she appeared, everyone including reporters, journalists, and employees in the company would criticize her. She did nothing wrong, why should she have to endure this suffering? She wants to explain, but is there anyone who listens and understands her?
Ella sleeps until noon, and when she wakes up, she doesn't even get out of bed. She was as lost as a soulless person, staring into the void.
The phone rang once, Ella's heart also vibrated, and she looked at the name displayed on the screen.
It was David calling.
She did not answer the call. The phone suddenly went silent and then rang again. She still doesn't answer the call. If she listens to David's voice, she's afraid she won't be able to leave him.
At two o'clock in the afternoon, Ella received a strange guest. That is Mrs. Emma. She asked Rika about the apartment that David bought for Ella to live in. Rika couldn't help but answer.
Ella bowed to Mrs. Emma and poured her a glass of water. This was the first time David's mother had come to the apartment to find her. Suddenly, Ella had a bad premonition.
Mrs. Emma didn't drink the water Ella poured, she threw a rectangular card on the table. "Take it and leave my son. There's a hundred thousand dollars in this card, enough for you to live for the rest of your life."
Ella was stunned by Mrs. Emma. "Auntie, you think I need money? David and I love each other not because of progress."
"How? You are not satisfied with this amount? Five hundred thousand dollars is enough, right?" Mrs. Emma said as she pulled out a second card from her bag and set it down on the table. She is furious when she learns of this fake marriage, anyway, she has to kick Ella out of her son's life.
"You are offending me."
"Offense?" Mrs. Emma smiled sarcastically. "You married my son because you wanted money to treat your father, right? Now, are you being magnanimous to me?"
"It was just an agreement. David said that if I marry him, you won't force him to marry." Ella remained calm.
Those words made Mrs. Emma get angrier, she slammed her fist on the table. "You think marriage is a joke? If it wasn't for the money, why didn't you turn down his offer in the first place? All you want...just money."
"Anyway, I won't take your money." Ella stood up from her seat, and bowed politely, really, she didn't want to talk to this woman. In the past, Ella agreed to marry David because she wanted to save her father. They also agreed that this marriage contract was confidential. After three years, they will divorce, and the contract ends. Ella also reminds herself, don't fall in love with David. But day by day, she loves him more deeply. Today, seeing the appearance of Mrs. Emma in her apartment, Ella just realized, that no secret stays hidden forever.
When Ella had walked a few steps, Mrs. Emma stood up making her stop.
"My son often quarrels with me because of you. If you love him then leave him, so that he has a good future. Now that the media knows about your fake marriage, it's an insult to him."
Right. One of the richest billionaires in this city has a love relationship with a person who is not outstanding, and whose family is as difficult as hers. This is so funny.
Mrs. Emma continued once more. "David's future is to take on an important responsibility, manage a huge corporation, you understand? You are so selfish, you just want to keep him with you. Did you ever think for him?"
Ella bit her lip, holding back her sobs. She just wants to live happily with him, is that selfish?
"Free David, stop stalking him."
Since falling in love with David, Ella has not dared to think much about their future. But, his mother's words were like knives in her heart, very painful.
"In the contract, it says: after three years, you and my son will divorce. Still less than three years, your leaving will be in breach of contract. But don't worry, you don't need to indemnify the contract. I give you the money, on the condition that you terminate with David, the contract ends. You are free. You can love any man if you want. Our family will not interfere, as long as you no longer have relations with my son."
Yesterday, Ella told David that she needed more time to think, should she continue with David? But the conversation with Mrs. Emma today helped her make a decision.
"Okay, I promise you, I will leave David. And your money, I don't need it."
The corner of Ella's eyes wanted to cry. She took a deep breath, holding back the tears.
"I hope you remember what you said. Don't let me down."
Mrs. Emma picked up the two cards on the table and her bag and stood up from her chair. Suddenly, she stopped and continued. "This apartment is my son bought for you, if you stay here, he will come to you at any time. So get your stuff out of the apartment and go as far as you can." She walked to the door.
At this moment, for some reason, a stream of tears flowed from the corner of her eye, along her cheekbone.