Chapter 615
In front of everyone, Yorick, not wanting to make a scene, firmly pushed Liora away. But to everyone’s shock, the very next second, Liora blurted out her love for Yorick in front of everyone. “I’m not drunk,” Liora cried. “I love you, Yorick!”
The crowd erupted in cheers and teasing, but Yorick’s brow furrowed. He knew he’d become the unwilling center of attention.
Yorick desperately looked for Werner to help him get away, but Werner, who had been right there just moments ago, had vanished into thin air. As Yorick turned to leave, Liora latched onto him again, and that was when Irene appeared.
Yorick said anxiously, “That’s exactly how it happened, I swear. I’m telling you the truth. There’s really nothing going on between me and Liora."
“Enough!” Irene snapped. “Yorick, do you expect me to believe you? You come to this kind of place, she’s all over you, declaring her love, and everyone’s giving you those knowing looks. Only a fool would believe there’s nothing going on between you two.”
“Look, it was just a coincidence. I was just there to pick up Werner. As for what you saw, Liora was drunk and shamelessly spouting drunken nonsense, and people just got the wrong idea. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Werner himself.”
Irene snapped, “I’m not asking him. I can’t afford to lose face like that!”
Irene’s world shattered. “You might as well just be honest with me. You and Liora are involved. You must’ve cheated on me when I wasn’t looking. Can you still call yourself a man?”
Yorick exclaimed, “Why are you distorting the facts like this? If I’ve truly betrayed you, may I, Yorick, be struck dead by lightning!”
“I’m done with your oaths. I won’t fall for your lies. On my birthday, you’re here at a place like this, all over another woman, and you expect me to believe there’s nothing between you two? Impossible!”
Yorick fell silent. He pleaded, his voice raw, “Then tell me, what will it take for you to trust me?”
Irene snapped, “You dare ask me? You know exactly what you’ve done. I don’t want to see you today. Jonathan’s with the neighbors, and I’m going home now. Stay away tonight.”
The rain stopped. Irene turned on her heel and walked away without a backward glance.
Yorick hurried after her, pulling out a bracelet. “It’s your birthday. I really wanted to make it special for you. You’ve worked so hard taking care of our home and Jonathan. I’ll head back to the factory. There’s still a lot to do today.”
Irene impatiently shook off Yorick’s hand, sending the bracelet clattering to the ground.
Yorick picked up the bracelet, let out a weary sigh, and handed it back to Irene. “You’re not thinking clearly right now. Let’s both take a moment to cool off. No need to make a scene out here and let people laugh at us.”
Yorick’s figure faded from Irene’s sight. His parting gaze seemed to say mournfully, “Nothing I say now will convince you.”
Irene returned home and picked up Jonathan from the neighbor’s. After putting him to bed, she sat blankly in the kitchen, lost in thought.
Irene found herself reminiscing about every precious moment she had shared with Yorick. They used to be so happy before Liora ever entered their lives. Back then, their world revolved around each other, with no room for anyone else.
‘Will my life really go back to how it used to be if only Liora were gone?’ Irene wondered. The thought of making Liora vanish from this world had haunted Irene’s mind time and again.
She picked up the mirror and traced her fingers over her face. ‘When did I become such a bitter woman?’ she wondered. “If only Liora were out of the picture, Yorick and I could go back to how things used to be."
But her conscience told her not to do that. After a night of tossing and turning, grappling with her inner turmoil, Irene barely slept a wink. Early the next morning, Werner appeared out of nowhere. His arrival dealt Irene a crushing blow.