âI never cheated on Sierra ever in my life, Mr.Shen.â Charles had hurriedly explained, without even considering that there was no need for him to give any explanation.
On the other hand, Jack didnât mind those words but simply continued, âThis was told to me by Sierra. I guess the cheating portion was the misunderstanding phase in both of your lives then.â
âIt wasnât the misunderstandings...â Charles mumbled since his mind had already traveled to the time when all those rumors circulated.
Yes, the truth lies in that he had been avoiding Sierra for a long time. Simply because whenever he went home, there were talks of marriage and the wedding. He wanted to enjoy life with her, but settling down so soon didnât seem to fit into his mind.
Moreover, his parentâs shattered marriage had left a deep impact on him psychologically. Everything might seem perfect physically but mentally, he had hardly coped up with the time when his parents had cheated.
Knowing that his parents married young, he had no such wish to be rushing into a big commitment. Surely he wanted his lifetime with Sierra but a bit more time to settle his own emotions and make them understand.
âShe....was persistent for marriage without understanding my point of view.â This time, Charles opened up willingly, to which Jack simply answered while taking Sierraâs side, âEach lady has her own cautiousness. They need security in life and at a certain point, I think it is right too.â
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âI wouldnât like my daughter to be engaged with someone who is simply using her and isnât providing her with any security either. Yes, that would be her own life but she is my daughter to care for....â Jackâs reply in correspondence with his daughter only made Charlesâs lips come into a straight line.
âShe is your and Sierraâs daughter...â The thought acted like salt to an existing wound.
Subconsciously, Charles had to lower his head to not let his sentiments appear on his face. No, that was the least expected thing to be done.
But Jack had then kept his hand on the manâs shoulders, and gave him a stern tap, âDonât be an upset man. Things happen in everyoneâs life. Donât you see me getting a divorce when I could have a wonderful family too?â
âWhy are you getting a divorce then?â Charles ultimately questioned but Jack had no wish to answer this too easily, âLetâs go with the sequence buddy. In the end, you wonât need to ask this question from me.â
Charles didnât persist either. But in his heart, he knew that there is a big reason for this man to give Sierra a divorce... surely it isnât willing but under some circumstances.
Jack had paused for a few seconds before he had proceeded again, âShe learned that you had cheated on her with one of your friends since you had been staying at her house. But in reality, that friend was actually one of your close friendâs girlfriends.â Jackâs words got a nod from Charles.
âI tried telling her this but, she never listened. She simply just assumed things...without even consulting me about them.â Charlesâs biggest regret was not being able to make her understand.
Knowing that she was getting calls from all of her friends that he was getting into flirtatious behavior, he was very well equipped with the idea that all other friends were simply jealous of her.
Since she managed to gain his love and affection, all other friends simply turned against her. However, Sierra wasnât any fool to believe their words.
Her world turned upside down when she had once showed up at a club on her friendâs wish, only to find Charles talking with one of the ladies and that too with a smile. The closeness was clearly seen... and it broke her heart into a million pieces.
Recalling the past, Charlesâs eyes were still getting heavy and hot. âWhy do whenever I remember this and it hurts even now?â there were no definite answers to give.
âShe... believed that I was flirting with anyone else...and this all made up my mind that she wasnât interested in marrying me anymore..â Charles told Jack, but to this, Jack hadnât given any positive response. âMaybe you are wrong too. Have you ever talked with Sierra about her real feelings?â
âHow come you gotta be so sure that she wasnât interested in marrying you anymore? How about if there was some other reason to bend her too?â Jackâs words appeared to be deliberate.
Instantly, Charlesâ eyes moved in Jackâs direction, to gaze at the man with her narrowed eyes, âWho can even fabricate her wish? She was the one..who left the house with a letter..â
âBut that letter was all you got, not her explanation. Have you not seen the love in her eyes five years ago, when you had met her for the last time?â Jackâs words made Charlesâs heart jump a beat.
The hint was getting evident but Jack was trying to beat around the bush, not giving the hint on his face. However, Charles wasnât any fool to not understand ethics. âJust tell this to my face, man.â
âShe was instigated and forced to leave you.â Jack didnât put a cover on reality, but Jack had already expected these words.
Without any clever expressions, Charles appeared to be calm. âI know, her family never lied to me. Especially her father. He never wanted his daughter to get married to someone like me.â
To this, Jack had got silent. The reason was unknown but Charlesâs brows only depended to find that Jack was hesitant in his own words.
âJack got silent? This man... knows too much..â and it was visible from the narrow glint that had passed from Jackâs eyes and how he tried to bind his tongue from speaking himself.
It wasnât like him someone who was saying things aloud. âIs there more to it?â At this thought, his stomach felt the churn in them.
âW-was it is someone else?â
âYour father, Shawn Johnson.â