No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Conrad adjusted his tie, frustration evident in his voice, "Felicia, what's the big idea? Why the sudden cold feet about our marriage license? And ghosting me?"

The shift from business to personal matters was seamless. And that was the reason Conrad sought me out.

"I'm not playing games," I stated firmly.

"How is this not playing games? Do you have any idea about the chaos you've caused back home? My mom's so upset she ended up in the hospital." Conrad barked, barely containing his fury.

Hearing Jacqueline was in the hospital made me guilty, but my guilt toward her couldn't erase the pain Conrad had caused me.

I said coldly, "I'll apologize to Jacqueline."

"Felicia, that's beside the point. Why won't you sign the license?" Conrad fiddled with his tie again, obviously agitated as if he were the victim.

I thought, 'Let's make it clear who wronged whom.'

My gaze lowered to the watch on his wrist. "I visited Crystal Bay Villas."

The sound of his chair scraping against the floor was the only warning before Conrad froze, his expression morphing rapidly, "Let me explain..." "Conrad, there's nothing to explain. Regardless of what you say, Haley's living there, and..." I paused, "when I went bedding shopping with her, she picked out everything in your favorite style."

"It's not what you think," Conrad stood up abruptly, stepping toward me.

But I stepped back, maintaining distance. "Conrad, I'm not one to jump to conclusions without evidence. But I have eyes to see and a heart to feel." "Felicia..." Conrad shook his head, "That house... I got it for you and decorated it the way you like. It was to be a surprise for you."

"Yet, you gave it to someone else," I murmured.

"I didn't give it to Haley. She's staying there temporarily. You know her situation. With Aiden gone and how her in-laws are treating her, she has nowhere else to go," Conrad explained hurriedly, almost pleading. NôvelDrama.Org content rights.

I couldn't help but smirk. "So, you were planning to gift it to me after she left, huh?"

Conrad opened his mouth to reply, then shut it again. The silence said it all.

A sharp pain laced through my heart, my nails digging into my palm. "So, I'm supposed to accept your secondhand gestures?"

"That's not it, Felicia. I can buy another one for you," Conrad's voice softened.

"Oh," I laughed, though it felt hollow. "So you can keep one and hide another?"

"Felicia!" Conrad's frustration was palpable.

Yet, I remained calm, confronting him. Eventually, he nodded, "Is this how petty we're being? I thought you were more forgiving and understanding. Why can't you accept Haley? She's in a tough spot, pregnant and widowed."

"Yes, she's pitiful. I get it. It's so considerate of me to hand you over to her. Take care of her, marry bèr, play dad to her kid if you like I said, my smile sharp.

The next moment, Conrad's grip tightened on my arm. "What are you saying? What do you take me for?"

I retorted, "Conrad, you wanted me to be understanding!"

"So, you think being understanding means refusing to marry me and breaking up with me?" he asked coldly.

I faced Conrad, whom I'd admired for a decade. "What else do you expect? Should I share you with Haley?"

"Why do you always have to say things like that?" Conrad's grip tightened.

The physical pain was nothing compared to the clarity it brought.

"Conrad, just put yourself in my position. If I was taking care of another man, would you stand for it?" As I spoke, Ernest's face flashed in my mind.