She sighed and tried to come up with a suitable answer. But never got the chance.
"Why did you leave him and go away, Jia Li? That wedding gown, that bridal bouquet of flowers, that groom, all of those belonged to you. Why did you forfeit it to a woman who is nowhere close to being the partner that my brother needs? Don't look at me with those shocked eyes. I know all about your divorce," her voice rang with censure.
Jia Li was speechless.
"What I want to know is why does brother Tang not know about it? All those years ago, YOU decided to marry someone else, howsoever compelling the reasons may have been. And now, both of you could have had a shot at insurmountable happiness, but again it was YOU who decided against it, again whatever the reasons maybe. Few days ago, I saw my brother take fake vows and produce plastic smiles, all because of you. It could have been so different, so beautiful…why, I need to know why you did it," Chu was breathless with anger.
Jia Li got up from the couch and went to the sideboard. She came back with a glass of water and offered it wordlessly to the fiery woman, whom she loved as her own. She didn't know how to explain or defend her actions or whether she even wanted to. But she was sure in her heart that a fresh start with Mei Zhen is what Tang needed and deserved.
It was eventually Ethan who broke the silence and said, "I think enough has been said for a day. Let's not ponder over the what-ifs and focus on the present. What's done is done, anyways."
He gave an understanding smile to Jia Li and steered Chu towards the door.
Everyone seemed to have forgotten Wang Wei's presence there, so it startled them momentarily when he spoke up.
"I still need to discuss the project with Jia Li. So why don't you both go ahead with your day. I shall connect with you soon," he said, averting his eyes from those of Jia Li's.
"I honestly have no solace to offer to you at the moment. Also it will be great if you don't utter a single word as an explanation about how or why have I been dragged into your sorry mess lest I forget my manners and throw you out of my house, bleeding heart be damned!" she fumed, the minute Ethan and Chu left the house.
"I have not stayed back for me," he spoke quietly.
"Please! I don't need any comforting. Why don't you concentrate upon your own situation?" she lashed back.
"I will go away but I just wanted you to know few things. First, the entire world's burden doesn't necessarily need to rest on your shoulders. You aren't responsible for anyone else's happiness but your own. Second, I do have a project in mind which may interest you. Whenever you feel you are ready, just give me a call. I have left my card at the table. Lastly, I apologise for bringing fresh wave of pain to you via Chu but I had no means to reach you or forewarn you and for that I am truly sorry," with that statement hanging in the air, he left.
She crumbled on the floor right there, finally letting the bitter salt flow out of her.