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Chapter 16 - UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTERS

Flashback on, Wei Han POV

Wei Han's mind drifted back to that fateful morning in Toronto, where she had awakened to the familiar sounds of traffic outside the window. Despite the chill of winter, the sun bathed the room in its golden glow as she snuggled closer to Chang Yi, reveling in the warmth of her embrace and the comforting scent of her lover.

 Feeling Wei Han's grip tighten, Chang Yi pulled her closer, lazily opening her eyes to greet the day. "Morning, beautiful," she murmured, pressing a tender kiss to Wei Han's lips.

Their intimate moment was interrupted by the persistent ringing of Wei Han's phone. Initially ignoring the calls in favor of each other's company, they eventually relented, and Wei Han reluctantly pulled away to answer the insistent calls.

As she answered the phone, Wei Han was met with her mother's furious voice on the other end, chastising her for taking so long to respond.

"Mom, I'm sorry, I was just... busy," Wei Han stammered, casting a regretful glance at Chang Yi.

"You're always 'busy' with that woman! I won't stand for it any longer. I want you home now!" her mother demanded.

Wei Han's heart sank as she listened to her mother's tirade, her eyes flickering with uncertainty as she glanced back at Chang Yi, unsure of what to do next.

Wei Han's heart raced as her mother's accusations rang in her ears, her hands trembling as she struggled to find the right words to respond. The weight of her family's expectations bore down on her, suffocating her with their suffocating grip.

Wei Han trembled as she listened to her mother's furious words over the phone. "What are you talking about, Mom?" she asked, her voice shaky.

Chang Yi's expression darkened as she listened to the conversation unfold, her own fears and insecurities rising to the surface. She had known that Wei Han's family disapproved of their relationship, but she hadn't expected such a blatant attack.

"Wei Han, what's going on?" Chang Yi's voice was laced with concern as she reached out to grasp Wei Han's hand for support.

Wei Han's mother's voice grew even more shrill as she continued her tirade, accusing Wei Han of bringing shame upon the family name and threatening dire consequences if she did not return home immediately.

"Some stranger has been calling us repeatedly, claiming that you are living with her daughter and threatening to ruin your father's business if you don't come home. Tell me, is it true?" she demanded. Then she muttered under her breath, "We didn't raise you to live like this, Han! It's not who we are. Don't you dare to humiliate your family name!"

"I-I... I don't know what to say, Mom," Wei Han stammered, her voice trembling with fear and uncertainty. "I... I love her, Mom. Chang Yi means everything to me."

Chang Yi's grip on Wei Han's hand tightened, offering silent reassurance and support as they faced the storm together. Despite the fear and uncertainty that gripped them, they knew that they had each other, and that was enough to give them strength to weather any storm.

Before Wei Han could respond, she heard a loud thud coming from her mother's end of the line. Her mother's panicked voice filled the air as she cried out, "Ge, wake up, Ge!"

Wei Han's heart raced with fear as she asked her mother, "What happened? Mom, say something!"

"Your father is unconscious, A Hao, A Hao, help!" her mother screamed, calling for Wei Han's brother. "Go home, now!" Then, abruptly, she ended the call. 

Wei Han's mind raced as she tried to process the shocking turn of events.

With tears and worry in her eyes, Wei Han asked Chang Yi, "What's that you didn't tell me? Who disturbed my family?" Chang Yi just looked down at her hands, unable to find any words.

Quickly, Wei Han began to pack her belongings to return to Taipei. Realizing that something significant was affecting their relationship, Chang Yi grabbed Wei Han's hand and pleaded, "A Han, we can face it together. Please listen to me. I will talk to my father. Please don't go."

Wei Han's anger boiled over. "Didn't you hear that my father is unconscious? How can I not go home? Who are you? How can your father threaten my father?"

Chang Yi stroked her hair roughly and paced around the bedroom. She muttered, "I can't go back to Taipei. I just can't." Then, she rushed out of the room and slammed the door.

 That was the last time Wei Han saw Chang Yi, her lover of the past two years, the person she shared her bed with, someone she held close in her heart, who cowardly ran away without any explanation.

Wei Han broke into tears, crying for her broken heart, for their lost love, and for her family, who knew nothing. She cried for hours, waiting for Chang Yi to return, but she never did. Eventually, she gathered her strength, resumed packing, and booked a ticket to return home.

As Wei Han boarded the flight back to Taipei, her mind was a whirlwind of emotions. She replayed the events of the morning in her head, trying to make sense of everything that had happened. The sudden revelation from her mother, Chang Yi's cryptic behavior, and the uncertainty of her family's situation weighed heavily on her heart.

During the flight, Wei Han couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal and confusion. She had trusted Chang Yi with her heart, her secrets, and her love, only to be blindsided by the news of her father's condition and the threats against her family. She couldn't understand how Chang Yi could be involved in such a situation, and the lack of explanation only fueled her anger and hurt.

Arriving in Taipei, Wei Han was greeted by her brother, A Hao, who had rushed to the airport to meet her. His worried expression mirrored her own turmoil, and they shared a silent understanding of the gravity of the situation. As they made their way home, Wei Han couldn't bring herself to talk about what had happened with Chang Yi. The pain was still too fresh, and she needed time to process it all.

Back at their family home, Wei Han was met with a flurry of activity as relatives gathered to support them in their time of need. Despite the chaos, Wei Han felt a profound sense of loneliness. She longed for the comfort and reassurance that Chang Yi had always provided, but now she was alone, grappling with her emotions in silence.

Days turned into weeks, and still, Wei Han heard nothing from Chang Yi. The silence was deafening, and each passing day only deepened the wound in her heart. She couldn't understand how their once-great love had crumbled so suddenly, leaving her feeling lost and abandoned.

 Despite her pain, Wei Han knew she had to focus on her family and their well-being. With her father still unconscious and her mother overwhelmed with worry, she took on the responsibility of managing their affairs and ensuring that they had everything they needed. In the midst of her own turmoil, she found solace in helping her family and being there for them in their time of need.

As the days stretched into months, Wei Han began to rebuild her life without Chang Yi. Though the pain of their breakup still lingered, she found strength in her family and the support of her loved ones. And as she navigated the challenges that lay ahead, she held onto the hope that one day, she would find peace and closure, and perhaps even love, once again.

Flashback off