Note from the Author:
If you're reading this, you're close to the end!
......................................................................................
Cree's POV:
I silently admitted to myself as I put away what she had left in the mansion of her belongings, secured in a heavy metal lockbox that only I knew the password for its contents.
She was gone, and I knew I had hurt her deep inside. A part of me seemed to have died with her departure from my life.
I never heard of her for months again after that.
What happened that day had been a lie. It was Sensei who I had implored to send out the message to Xiaoruo with my smartphone. He mimicked my language and my words. It worked. She believed it was me who had sent the message.
He was right, and letting go was a form of love. I let go, for her safety. Without her protection, there would be no Cree and Qiao Ruo, no future between us.
My only companion right now was my diary.
I told myself to persevere for the bigger picture. One day, I would be right before her again, kneeling before her with roses and a diamond ring, begging for her forgiveness and for a chance to give her happiness. And if she chose to accept my apology, I would never let her go again.
Because in my mind, she will be the only bride for me. My forever missus.
......................................................................
Current day, three months after Qiao Ruo leaves with Xia Xinyuan.
Sha Qing accompanied Cree at the sauna while Xu Bing and Cree's mother had their facial.
"Sensei, how long has it been?" Cree asked.
"Eighty days, Young Master Cree," Sha Qing replied flatly.
Cree closed his eyes and pressed his palms together as if he was making a prayer. How much longer could he go on with the act? One day, the truth would come to light that he and Xu Bing were only acting.
He couldn't bring himself to think whether Qiao Ruo was currently with the other man who she called her brother, but at the same time, he had no right to be jealous. He had let her down first, but this was the best way he could keep her safe without any suspicion from Li Yao, who could easily claim her life with a flick of her finger. It was for love that he chose to make his sacrifice. Fortunately, Xu Bing had also required his help to pretend to be her partner, as she had further plans.
Xu Bing promised him three months of pretence, following that, everything would be too obvious. While they were in university, she had already been in a relationship with her boyfriend. It was just a matter of time before they would get married. Her parents had actively opposed her relationship for three years. And now she wanted to continue being with her boyfriend in secret.
In return, Cree gave her his word that he would make a comeback with their business dealings, and they could work together to pretend to have fallen for each other with time. While they were supposedly on dates, she was seeing her boyfriend, and he had arranged for Ye An, who had a slim figure like a girl's, to switch places and clothes with Xu Bing. With a surgical mask, a hoodie and sunglasses, Ye An was mistakable for Xu Bing, since they were of a similar height and build. After the period was over, they would part ways amicably, and Cree would be free to pursue whoever he wanted, and she would escape the clutches of her parents, eloping with her boyfriend to live a life that was exclusive to them.
