Arabella Vanderbilt looked at Oliver Timmerman, and after a long while, she suddenly laughed softly.
Her laughter was cold and mocking, her demeanor seemingly indifferent and flawless.
Yet, her heart at this moment was twisting in pain, an agony beyond compare.
What a subtle way to put it, her being assertive turned into a fault now?
Does being assertive necessarily mean being malicious, bullying the weak?
Oliver's understated but ruthless words were like a sharp knife stabbing fiercely, forcefully into her heart.
"Arabella..."
Seeing her like this, Oliver felt even more guilt-ridden. He wanted to reach out to her, to comfort her at this moment by any means necessary, but Arabella stepped back two paces.
"Don't touch me!"
She roared in anger, waving off his hand, then slowly lifted her head with her clear, cold eyes empty of anything. The corners of her mouth carried a curve, but it was a look without a trace of a smile at him.
Beyond the cold mockery was complete despair and finality!
That single look made Oliver feel a heavy tremor in his heart, a sudden sharp pain that made his chest hurt as well.
"Arabella..." Oliver called out again but didn't know what to say.
Arabella Vanderbilt looked at him coldly, her voice cold as she said:
"Oliver Timmerman, remember this, it's me, Arabella Vanderbilt, who doesn't want you! I truly hope you and Juliana Vanderbilt last forever! Don't beg to offer me any pity, I'm not that pathetic! Ha... Who would use a towel that's wiped feet to clean their face?!"
Facing Arabella's unprecedented harsh words, Oliver was nothing but shocked.
That woman, always known for her exquisite demeanor and good manners, could actually utter such degrading words!
But he could understand the anger she felt at the moment. He pressed his lips together and then said softly:
"Sorry, no matter what... I'm sorry!"
"I know!" Arabella responded without leaving any room for a gap.
Oliver looked up at her, "If you can accept that, it's good..."
Arabella's face was expressionless.
"Why should I accept it? You can apologize, but I have the right not to forgive! Get lost!"
Oliver looked at her deeply, knowing that it was pointless to continue talking at this time. After saying, "You take care and rest well," he turned and left the hospital room.
-
It wasn't until Oliver Timmerman had completely left the hospital room that Arabella Vanderbilt sat weakly on the hospital bed, curling her legs and staring blankly out the window at a certain spot.
Cold and strong-willed?
She too had been gentle as water, but the world was too cold, and she had to turn herself into ice, had to make herself a little stronger!
She could only protect herself, keep herself from getting hurt, keep from feeling sad, keep from wanting to cry, keep from appearing weak, keep from looking pitiful in front of others.
She thought she had grown accustomed to it over the years, but now she realized she was not as strong as she imagined.
In a room alone, her heart could ache, she could feel weak, her throat could burn, her eyes could grow hot.
But she could only be weak to this extent!
She wouldn't cry, it wasn't worth it, and it was utterly pathetic.
Her tears would ultimately fall into the dust, not only worthless, but also a cause for others to ridicule.
She sensed a figure approaching beside her, and not long after, a clean white handkerchief was offered before her eyes.
Arabella Vanderbilt paused slightly, turned her head, and looked up with a brief flash of surprise in her soft eyes.
She let go of her legs she had been embracing, and stood up from the bed.
Looking up at the handsome man who was still a head taller than her.
They had just parted, but now they were meeting again.