I woke up from my deep sleep after hearing several knocks on my door.
I still felt lazy. The headache that had struck my head was still slightly noticeable.
I got out of bed and headed for the door. I opened it and saw Aldrich standing in front of me with a tray in his hands.
"Good morning, Elena. How are you feeling? Is your head still throbbing?" Aldrich asked after seeing me rub my head several times.
He walked past me and entered the room, placing the tray with milk and pancakes with maple syrup on it.
"You must be hungry. I made your favorite breakfast, pancakes with maple syrup."
I turned around, "I don't like pancakes anymore, did you forget that, brother-in-law?" I replied sarcastically.
Aldrich was indeed a caring man, just like he was five years ago. My memory took me back to that time. Back then, I was still in college, and I rarely prepared breakfast before leaving for campus. Aldrich, who lived in the apartment next to mine at the time, often prepared pancakes with maple syrup for breakfast. However, ever since that man toyed with my feelings and cruelly destroyed them by marrying my stepsister, I chose to hate that food.
Ironic, isn't it?
I swallowed my saliva to hold back the anger in my heart. Without realizing it, I clenched my fists.
"Just take your breakfast back with you. I'm going back to my apartment. After all, our apartments are only on different floors."
I spoke indifferently, without the warmth I used to have, and that surprised Aldrich with my change.
He couldn't believe I was ignoring him. He grabbed my shoulders and forced me to look at him.
"Elena, since when have you been this cold to me? Did I do something wrong?"
I felt uncomfortable with Aldrich's attitude. I forcefully removed his grip. I pushed his body back a few steps. I exhaled my breath, which felt tight, before saying a few sentences to him.
"No. You didn't do anything wrong. It's me who's wrong for putting my hopes in you. After I tried to avoid you, to heal my broken heart, why are you still targeting me? Why are you still disrupting my life? Tell me, Aldrich Dixon, is destroying my heart and feelings a source of pleasure for you?"
I poured out all the pent-up emotions I had been holding inside. Usually, I would be indifferent when I met Aldrich, but not this time. I had to make their status clear.
Without realizing it, my eyes filled with tears and rolled down my cheeks. Aldrich didn't answer my words, instead he moved closer.
His hand reached out and wiped the tears from my cheeks and the corners of my eyes. Although it wasn't clear, there was a hint of concern on his face.
"Don't do this, Elena. You can hate and curse me, but don't push me away. I can't bear it."
Aldrich pulled my neck and forced me into his embrace.
"Let go, Aldrich Dixon! You've gone too far. What am I supposed to say to Monica if she sees this?"
I tried to push him away to free myself from his embrace. But instead of letting go, he held me even tighter.
"I'm sorry, Elena. I'm sorry... I realize my decision has destroyed you, but I can't let you go. You are everything to me, my little bear."
A single tear fell onto my shoulder. I was shocked—it was Aldrich's tear. My body instantly tensed, not knowing how to respond.
"You... are crying? What... are you crying about?"
Ignoring my words, Aldrich became even more bold. He didn't let go of his embrace, but instead pulled back slightly so he could see my face clearly.
He pushed me back until my body hit the wall. Then his right hand grabbed the back of my neck, while his left arm held me to restrict my movement.
Boldly, Aldrich forced his kiss on me. My eyes widened. I was shocked and panicked by what Aldrich was doing.
I pressed my lips tightly together and shook my head. I ignored the pain in my head from hitting the wall to avoid his forced kiss.
"You're crazy, Aldrich Dixon!" I shouted.
This time I couldn't tolerate Aldrich's behavior. I broke free from his embrace with all my strength. I took a few steps to the side to avoid another forced hug. Then I slapped his left cheek hard, causing a sound that echoed throughout the room.
Smack!
"Are you awake now, brother-in-law?" I said, emphasizing each word.
I spoke loudly and firmly to wake Aldrich from his crazy behavior just now. And it seemed to be effective enough to make him realize his mistake. He was silent for a moment, then touched the hot mark I had left on his cheek.
"I'm sorry. I acted impulsively earlier and made you uncomfortable."
"You!" I pointed my index finger at him.
What kind of apology was that, without any sense of guilt? Did he think I would be happy to hear his nonsense?
"Brother-in-law, you better watch your boundaries. I don't want to be labeled as the cause of the rift in your relationship with Monica. You made your choice, so you have to take responsibility for it until the end, Aldrich Dixon!"
"But what about you, Elena. I want to resolve the misunderstanding between us. But you've been avoiding me for three years. No matter how much I searched and asked Monica or your friends, none of them would talk about your whereabouts. And I almost went crazy, Elena."
"Crazy? You?"
I smiled dismissively. Those empty words only made me feel disgusted when I heard them. Ironically, I might be just as crazy because I still have feelings for a jerk like him.
"Enough, Aldrich Dixon. You don't need to explain anything, especially bring up the past. Just stay away from me, and that's the best for me, you, and Monica."
I grabbed my bag and rushed out of the room. I didn't even have time to touch my breakfast or drink some water to wet my dry throat.
"I'm leaving. Thank you for letting me stay for a while. But don't do it again, or I'll disappear from your sight for good!" I threatened.
I didn't want to linger in this apartment, or I would be unlucky again if I accidentally ran into Monica.
Just as I was at the door of the apartment, about to open the handle, someone outside opened the door first. And yes, I was really unlucky today.
There stood someone I never wanted to see for a while. It was Monica. She was standing at the door in her tight mini dress, carrying a small bag in her left arm.
"What are you doing in my husband's apartment, Elena?"