Chapter 234 In the past
All that was in the past.
People always look forward, and she has bid farewell to that version of herself, as well as to that naive and innocent romance.
No matter how deeply in love Cole might seem now, it had nothing to do with her.
Alana said, “Cole, I’m sorry, but you should find a woman who’s your equal.”
Cole’s pupils contracted slightly. He had thought that saying such words in front of Alana would move her.
But to his surprise, she still rejected him.
A wave of grief and heartache washed over him.
Camila snorted coldly, utterly disdainful of Alana’s pretentious, high-and-mighty attitude.
Back then, hadn’t Alana approached her brother precisely because she was attracted to him because he was from a rich family.
What was she playing at now?!
“Can you see? You’re willing to treat her like family, but she isn’t! Some people just aren’t worth it!”
Alana couldn’t be bothered with Camila’s sharp, cutting remarks. “Since we’re done here, I’m going home.”
Cole couldn’t help but speak up, “Lana, let me warn you: you’ll regret getting involved with Stephan! He’s just toying with you. He’ll never give you his heart, and he certainly won’t marry you!”
A slight ripple flashed across Alana’s eyes.
“Thanks for the warning, but this is between him and me. You don’t need to worry about it. You just had surgery and you’re still very weak. I won’t disturb your rest any further. Goodbye.”
She nodded slightly and turned to leave.
Cole watched her retreating figure with a dazed expression, wanting to stop her but unable to find an excuse.
Seeing that Alana had left, Camila couldn’t help but ask, “Brother, what did you mean by that just now? You mean Alana’s boyfriend is Stephan?”
Could it be that guy from the Hudson family?!
As far as she knew, the one from the Hudson family was also named Stephan.
Cole didn’t say a word, but the grim look on his face spoke volumes.
Camila immediately thought of the man who had stood up for Alana that day. She had seen at a glance that he was no ordinary man, he exuded an air of nobility and an innate aura of a natural leader, a presence that ordinary scions of prominent families could never possess.
But she never would have imagined that he was actually the one from the Hudson family?! No wonder he wasn’t afraid of her threats.
No!
What gives Alana the right?!
Alana left her brother...what gives her the right to be with that man from the great Hudson family?
How dare she find someone even better?
Look at her, in terms of status and standing, wasn’t she better than Alana in every way?
Why don’t outstanding men like her? Why weren’t they chasing after her?!
Camila was seething with jealousy. “No wonder Alana’s been acting so cocky around me lately, turns out she’s found herself such a powerful backer!”
“But that powerful backer will never truly belong to her. She’s just being used for fun. Once he gets bored of her, sooner or later he’ll kick her to the curb, stomp her into the mud, and she’ll never be able to get back up!”
Upon hearing this, Cole clenched his fists tightly, his expression growing even darker.
The woman he cherished above all else had become another man’s plaything, how could he possibly tolerate that?!
As for Stephan’s claim that he would marry Alana, he didn’t believe a single word of it!
He was a man; naturally, he understood what other men were thinking!
Only that foolish woman, Alana , would fall for a man’s sweet talk and be so thoroughly deceived!
Alana came to the hospital in Camila’s car.
Now that she had to go back, she didn’t have her phone on her and didn’t have much cash, so even hailing a taxi would be difficult.
But she still had a little money left paid for a public phone and called Eve.
Eve immediately said, “I’ll come pick you up and bring your phone back!”
Alana asked, “Don’t you have to work today?”
“No, I’m on leave.”
Alana didn’t hesitate and immediately gave her the hospital address.
In less than half an hour, Eve showed up, driving a Maserati.
Alana was taken aback when she saw her friend had switched cars again. “Is this... your boyfriend’s car too?”
Eve rested her hand on the car window, wearing a pair of very cool, edgy sunglasses.
“No, this is my car. “You know we swapped what we bought by mistake and so I had to wear those sexy lingerie for him. I made him feel good, so he was in a great mood afterwards and just placed an order for this...buying it for me instantly.”
Alana blinked.
How does Eve just accept these stuff? She could never bring herself to.
Eve beckoned to Alana, “Come on, hop in and take a ride in my new car...I’ll take you for a spin!”
Alana didn’t hesitate; she opened the door and hopped in.
Eve started the car and sped off.
The howling wind blew freely across Alana’s face.
Even though it was so strong she could barely keep her eyes open, it felt incredibly
comfortable and exhilarating.
If only she had a car of her own.
Too bad she hadn’t even gotten her driver’s license yet, she’d have to find time to take lessons.
Eve asked as she drove, “By the way, shouldn’t you be at the office at this time?What are you doing at the hospital?”
Alana didn’t hide anything from Eve and explained, “Cole was in a car accident. His sister thinks I’m to blame and insisted I come take a look.”
Eve was stunned. Her eyes widened so much her sunglasses nearly fell off. “What?What on earth is going on? Did he die?”
Alana gathered her thoughts and explained the whole story.
Last night, when Cole and Stephan had secretly arranged to meet for dinner behind her back, and, as luck would have it, they’d chosen the exact same restaurant as the one they were at.
That’s how they ran into each other.
Next, Stephan punched Cole and dragged her away.
As for Cole, for some reason, he suddenly got into a car accident.
Perhaps he’d been distracted by something. But Cole didn’t say anything, and she wasn’t going to ask.
But as long as she knew he was still alive, that was enough.
Otherwise, if something really did happen to him and she got framed again, Camila won’t let her hear the end of it.
Eve said, “I think Cole probably couldn’t accept that you abandoned him to
be with another man, so he was speeding, and that’s why the accident happened.”
Alana paused for a moment, then nodded. “That’s possible.”
Eve didn’t quite understand. “But why would Cole do that? If he really cared about you, why did he hurt you like that? Even when he wasn’t giving you any attention back then, you still considered him your boyfriend, he had enough chances to finally treat you right but he never did.”
“What kind of person is he, anyway? Does he think that just because he suddenly wants you back now, you’ll just gratefully accept him? Belated affection is worth less than dirt. You’re not some pet he can summon at will, one he can snap his fingers at and have you come running!”
“If you ask me, men are just jerks. When you care about him, he takes it for granted;
when you stop caring, he suddenly thinks he can’t live without you!”
Alana nodded, finding the words quite reasonable.
“Anyway, I already have a man I like now. No matter how deeply Cole feels, it doesn’t mean anything to me.”
“Exactly. A man’s true feelings can change in the blink of an eye. Cole says he cares about you now and that he’ll marry you, but who knows if he’ll change his mind the very next second? If it were me, I wouldn’t trust him ever again.”
“Also, he had proven that he’s someone who can never put you first so if his parents and sister don’t accept you, why would you marry him and suffer? Anyone with half a brain wouldn’t jump into this pit on their own!”
Alana paused for a moment.
Suddenly she remembered that Cole had mentioned the vast disparity in social status between her and Stephan.
So, just how big was that gap, exactly?
If the gap was that wide, would Stephan’s parents, just like Cole’s parents, look down on her and refuse to let her stay with him?
She fell silent for a moment, then couldn’t help but ask Eve,
“Eve, be honest, have you ever thought about your future with your boyfriend?”