Chapter 7

The police saw me pulling a suitcase and hurriedly stopped me. “Ms. Stuart, what are you trying to do?”

“I didn’t want to see him,” I said. “Moreover, we were not in a romantic relationship; he deceived you all.”

He firmly refused to let me go. “I’m sorry, Ms. Stuart. Regardless of your relationship, you must wait until our director arrives with the complainant. Please be patient.”

I retorted angrily, “If he wanted to harm me, would you also assist him in doing wrong?”

The police officer was momentarily stunned. Standing up straight, he spoke with determination, “If he really wants to harm you, I would stop him immediately. If necessary, I would even have him arrested! But until things are clarified, you cannot leave. This is my responsibility.”

I insisted on leaving, but he blocked my exit. There was no way out; I could only wait.

After about half an hour, Rhys rushed over, flustered and sweating profusely from exhaustion. His groom’s suit had been removed, and his white shirt was soaked with sweat and dirty.

Seeing me, Rhys smiled happily. He didn’t rush to greet me but first shook hands with the police officer to express his gratitude.

I didn’t want to stay a moment longer, so I impatiently asked the officer, “Can I leave now?”

Rhys hurriedly explained, “Let me take care of what happens next. You’ve been working hard and deserve a good rest.”

The police officer remained somewhat suspicious. “Are you really in a romantic relationship?”

“Yes!” “No!” Rhys and I shouted simultaneously, without prior arrangement. They exchanged a glance.

Although we had broken up, a past understanding remained. I immediately showed the police a picture of the wedding I had taken. “He has already gotten married; how could we still be in a romantic relationship?”

Rhys’s face darkened. The police officer looked at Rhys with disdain and said less politely, “Sir, since you are not Ms. Stuart’s boyfriend, please refrain from harassing her. Otherwise, we will take appropriate measures against you.”

Rhys was caught off guard. He knew he couldn’t explain to the police, so he looked at me pleadingly. “Bridget, please don’t make a scene, okay? If there’s something to say, we can talk privately.”

“You can be angry, you can scold me, or even hit me; I don’t mind.” It is said that it is difficult for those who have truly loved to easily sever all ties.

Looking at his exhausted face, I felt sorry for him. But I told myself, Never look back.

“Why should I be angry? What you choose is your freedom, and I have no right to interfere. So please, do not disturb my life either.” I deliberately acted as if I didn’t care.

Rhys believed me. His eyes were red, his chin trembling, as he sobbed, “Are you really that heartless?”

I laughed coldly. He had the audacity to call me heartless.

Wiping away his tears, Rhys looked at the police and forced a smile. “Officers, you all seem busy, so why don’t you go back first?”

They seemed to understand; Rhys and I had clearly been in a romantic relationship, but relationship issues had caused this situation. I was not in danger, so I left the hotel.

I was about to leave when Rhys grabbed my arm. He forcibly dragged me into the guest room, closed the door, and prevented my escape.

I was determined to leave, but he blocked my way and shouted, “Have you caused enough trouble?”

I glared at him angrily. “What do you mean by ‘have I caused enough trouble’? Who exactly is making a scene?”

Rhys winced, composed himself, and apologized repeatedly. “Alright, it was me being unreasonable. Let’s not get worked up; let’s take our time to talk.”

He had always been stubborn. Once a decision was made, no persuasion would work. So I didn’t insist on leaving. I turned angrily away and ignored him.

The air quieted; only Rhys’s heavy breathing could be heard. After adjusting his emotions, he said guiltily, “After you left the hotel, I didn’t go back; I ran all the way home. After arriving home, I intended to apologize and explain everything. However, when I saw that you had packed and left, I realized you were truly hurt. I called all your friends, and they all said they didn’t know where you went. That’s why I had to call the police.”

“Bridget, I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have gotten married to Kaitlin behind your back, and I’m sorry. But I swear, I love… Please don’t leave, okay?”

I knew he must have been frantic searching for me. However, from the moment he and Kaitlin married, we were over. I couldn’t accept him anymore.

So, I didn’t look at him and asked coldly, “Have you finished speaking?”

“No!” Rhys exclaimed, afraid I might leave. He hurriedly continued, “Bridget, will you forgive me? I can call Kaitlin right now and get a divorce!”

I sneered, shook my head, and thought Rhys was beyond redemption. Looking at him, I felt doubly disappointed and angry. “What do you think marriage is? Playing house? Saying ‘I do’ and then saying ‘I don’t’?”

“Rhys, if you hadn’t chased after me today and instead chose to marry Kaitlin, and if you had kept your promise and spent your life with her… perhaps I would still think that, although you apologized to me, at least you were loyal to Kaitlin. But listen to what you just said. Are you saying you want to apologize to me and Kaitlin?”

Rhys jerked, his face filled with terror. He realized he had made one mistake after another.