Chapter 238: Heartbreak Highway

As she thought about it, Ellis could list many reasons why she and Morty simply couldn't be together. Maya sighed, confused. “I mean, really, Morty! Out of everyone, why fall for his best friend’s ex-wife? And he’s actually making moves? So awkward, isn’t it?”

Based on what Victoria had said, it seemed likely Morty had let something slip to her; why else would Victoria be so against Ellis fitting into the Unity family? Ellis thought, suppressing a wave of nausea, “He must be out of his mind!” she muttered.

If you judge a person by their friends, then since Easton was a mess, Morty wasn’t far behind.

“Is it just a guy thing?” Maya looked her over. “Being around a great beauty like you, maybe he couldn’t help but develop some ideas?”

“You might as well say men think with their lower half,” Ellis retorted.

“That would be too direct; I was trying to put it more delicately.”

“The world isn’t short of beauties; I’m just one of many. I don’t think I have some immense allure for Morty.” Halfway through, paranoia struck, and Ellis propped her chin with her hand. “You might be onto something though. What if he’s just a snake in the grass, who sees Em attractive and whimsically decides to toy with me, just for the…”

Thrills came in two types; the physical ones were easy to find, but psychological thrills, especially those derived from a scheme of conquest, were rarer and more complex.

Following Ellis’s train of thought, Maya shivered. “Counting your ex, that’s two creepy guys you’ve run into.”

Recalling Morty’s words about her company being a charity project started by Easton, Ellis’s lips curled in a sneer. Easton was so generous—to Victoria.

“Compared to Easton, Morty isn’t a psychopath. He’s much better.”

Easton had coldly calculated the terms of their potential divorce to leave her with nothing and even schemed to burden her with debt; he cheated during their marriage, was indifferent to her well-being, and continued to harass her after their divorce. Those were the vile things Easton had done!

Morty, at worst, had a mean streak and had crossed the line when he secretly photographed her and Casey, then slandered her to Easton as being unfaithful. But at least, when she was hurt, he showed genuine concern.

“But that doesn’t make him normal!” Dropping her hand from her chin, her face showed her distaste for both Easton and Morty. Even if she was eager to date again, she was determined not to pick anyone like them.

In a sense, they were both garbage she’d gladly thrown away. Morty might be a step up from Easton, but that didn’t make him suitable dating material.

The main issue was his flawed character; she couldn’t get past the fact that he’d slandered her about being unfaithful.

“Your romantic life…” Maya paused, then corrected herself, “your rotten romantic life!”

Ellis went pale. “Maybe it’s because it’s my zodiac year?”

“Forget it! Men are just distractions when you’re bored!” Maya moved closer, patting Ellis on the shoulder comfortingly. “You should stop staying at Serenity Estate. Come live with me at my place!”

After being attacked by two jerks, Ellis hadn’t returned to Serenity Estate today. Instead, she and Maya were at a downtown café. Night had fallen, and it was nearly bedtime. Hearing Maya’s suggestion, Ellis decided to stay at her place again.

The last time she stayed there was right after being discharged from the hospital, unwilling to face the harsh reality that Easton didn’t love her, was indifferent whether she lived or died, and had been cheating with Victoria behind her back.

Chapter 238: Heartbreak

Sometimes, mental health is more important than material wealth.

Without going back to Serenity Estate for her things and wearing clothes Maya had dug out for her, Ellis lay in bed thinking, What a load of crap love is. No man was more reliable than her childhood best friend. If she couldn’t find the right guy in the future, she might as well just stay with her friend.

At least her friend always stood by her side, right or wrong, and came to her aid without hesitation.

Wait, she reconsidered marrying: her best friend might not stay single forever.

Suddenly wide awake, Ellis got out of bed. Entering Maya’s room, she saw her friend working late on her laptop. “I’ve been so caught up in my own issues. I forgot to ask—how’s your matchmaking going? What’s the outcome, aren’t you going to tell me!”

It’s not right to only care about oneself and to take others’ care for granted; one must also show care for those around them. Otherwise, if one person unilaterally enjoys the other’s care for too long, their relationship can become unbalanced. Her three-year marriage to Easton perfectly illustrated this: she loved him unilaterally, he didn’t love her back, and ultimately, she chose to leave.