I laughed. "A dilemma? Do you think with his character, he would let Grandpa set me up with him? It's only been three years yet he already can't let go of me. What about you? Think about it - how many years were you guys together for? Why didn't he just marry you? If he really wanted to marry you, he would have already from the get-go, instead of waiting for me to show up, wouldn't he?"
"You..." Andrea choked back her tears. I knew that my words had severely hurt her. Each words was like a knife stabbing into her.
"Let my mother go. You have achieved your goal. I won't get involved with Hendrix or interfere with your marriage ever again. I'm letting go. Just make sure you don't come for my mother, or the Moore family either. You and Hendrix can go and live your peaceful lives together."
Andrea was an emotional mess. She knew perfectly well that I would not let Valerie off the hook that easily, but she still begged me to.
Perhaps she really did love Hendrix, or maybe she loved how well Hendrix treated her, but all this had nothing to do with me.
Looking at her, I said, "I will live happily with Hendrix. Thank you for not getting involved. As for your mother, I will not let her go. After all, this is just the beginning. There is still a long way to go."
Andrea's face turned pale, "Arianna, I'm no longer bothering you guys. Why are you still pushing me like this? You know very well that once I continue pestering Hendrix about my brother's affection for me, he won't let go of me. Unless I stop bothering him, I would spend the rest of my life as the third wheel in your marriage. You may be able to endure it for a year or even a decade, but Arianna, can you really bear to have me be in your life forever?"
I pursed my lips and clenched my fists. She was right. A promise made to a departed soul was a strong, unbreakable one, which meant that Hendrix's responsibility towards Andrea was something that couldn't be changed or broken. If Andrea had an accident, Hendrix would be bound by duty to take care of her.
Looking at her, I sneered. "Andrea, if you don't mind completely shutting happiness out from your life, I won't mind enduring it either. At least I'd have Hendrix to keep me company through the night. You know very well that he has no affection for you. You love a man who doesn't love you back, and you aren't even his mistress. If you're willing to do this to yourself, then who am I to stand in your way?" Seeing her ashen face, I continued. "Your presence only affects us occasionally but it's different for you. You'd be stuck in this meaningless entanglement for the rest of your life. However, things will be different if you leave Hendrix. You could have a beautiful family, and there are people who could make you happy. Austin has been with you for so long, you can't tell me you haven't noticed how he feels about you. Even if Valerie were to lose everything, you could still take care of her. The Moore family has a solid foundation. Even if I did something about it, it would be impossible to uproot the entire Moore family. So, as long as you leave, I won't be able to hurt you and your future prospects."
This was a fact. Once Andrea lets go, even if I wanted to hurt her, I would not be able to do any real damage. Her persistence and stubbornness when it came to Hendrix was not something done out of love, but rather a habit. She was just too used to him already.
Alas.
Her gaze grew fierce and she shook her head. "No, I won't leave him. Since you won't let my mother go, then let's fight to the end. If you won't let me live peacefully, I won't let you either. Although you can say that you don't want anything, Ariana, but I do. I want love, and I want affection. I must have both."
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