"They were just too in love," Jelena said, "They gave their all without realizing that the other was just in it for kicks."
Aurelia sighed, "It's like they've overdosed on those soap operas, thinking all the tycoons are knights in shining armor. But most folks are like Mr. Chad and Fredric. You'd be lucky to find a handful of men like the ones in those dramas among eight billion people on the Earth. Chloe used to binge-watch them all the time and knew every historical and modern series by heart. Fredric was young, wealthy, charming, and handsome, straight out of a soap opera. So Chloe thought she was living her fairy tale and dropped her guard, giving herself to Fredric unconditionally. That's why when Sheryl stole him away, she couldn't face reality and ended up with depression."
"Even without Sheryl, Chloe would've probably ended up the same after marrying Fredric. He’d soon grow restless and gallivanted around, leaving her alone and lonely. How could she bear it? As for Sheryl, she's had her comeuppance. Ever since she married Fredric, she's been neglected and hasn't had a day of happiness. She's held on without breaking down because she's mentally tougher than Chloe." Aurelia continued.
Jelena felt a nerve twitch inside her.
"The world would be unjust if hurting others meant you could still live happily ever after," Jelena mused. "Chloe's biggest mistake was falling for Fredric and thinking of Sheryl as a friend. If there's no karma for such deeds, what's the point of it all?"
"The world isn't about fairness or justice," Aurelia responded. "It's survival of the fittest. Good people die young while the wicked live on. Many without a conscience enjoy wealth and luxury. What we can do is get stronger and make sure there are fewer and fewer people who can beat us. I'll have the pastor from Grace Lutheran Chapel hold another memorial for Chloe in a few days. Let's have Fredric there to apologize and make amends, then we can put this behind us."
Jelena who was absent-minded kicked at the frothy waves lapping at her feet.
"This has nothing to do with Fredric chasing after me. Believe it or not, even if I tell him I got close to him out of spite, he won't give up. I must be the first woman he can't have, that's torture for a man. As you said, this is his retribution. What can I do?"
Aurelia fell silent and worried that Jelena was playing with fire.
"Just be careful not to overdo it," Aurelia cautioned.
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