Chapter 895 Learning To Let Go
Nina got up and walked over to Carter, massaging his shoulders as she spoke gently. “Please don’t be sad, Carter. You don’t act like yourself anymore. You should be high-spirited and confident, unlike the man standing before me. Why have you turned out this way? It seems like you’re always forcing a smile.” A heartfelt laugh left Carter’s lips. “Nina, I wouldn’t feel so torn if the person I’m in love with was you!”
“Come on, Carter. Don’t get such thoughts in your mind. We are not compatible. I’m not your type, and I treat you like my brother. Besides, I want a man who knows combat arts.
He should also be good at games and knows how to design them. Other than that, he needs to know how to play sports like basketball and swimming. In other words, I love a man that knows how to do everything. Too bad I’ve yet to find a perfect man like that,” Nina answered with a smile. “You prefer programmers?”
“I guess so. I admire those people who can hack into a system without facing any problems. I would love to talk to them if I had the chance, but I’m afraid they will scoff at a digitally illiterate person like me.”
Carter’s lips twitched as his mind wandered. I’m caught by surprise. Nina, a girl that comes from a wealthy family, has quite an interesting taste in men. Why is she so into computer hackers?
Nina retracted her hands, saying, “Rest earlier, Carter. I’m going to head home now. Don’t overthink the situation. Get over Jennifer soon if there really is no chance of a future with her. After all, it sucks when men whine on and on.”
Carter nodded. He stood up, wanting to send Nina home himself. However, the woman rejected his offer. “Carter, are you afraid that someone will rob me? Well, they’re welcome to try if they’re not afraid of being beaten up. Even though I look vulnerable and weak, I’m good at fighting, and most people can’t compare me! Don’t worry, okay?”
Carter was no stranger to Nina’s exceptional combat skills. She was better than him as she excelled at kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and other combat skills. Even so, Carter couldn’t let her return home by herself.
“Come on, I will send you home. Accept my offer, okay? As a gentleman, I can’t possibly let you go home yourself,” Carter insisted.
Understanding why Carter was being persistent, Nina agreed to his suggestion.
With things settled, Carter drove Nina home. While unbuckling her seatbelt, Nina glanced at Carter. “Go on home, Carter. Please remember to do the things that I told you to do. I don’t wish to see a foreign man bothering me when I come home.”
Carter nodded.
Nina finally alighted the car with a pleased expression.
The following day, Carter went to the hospital to fulfill Nina’s order. Coincidentally, he caught Eva pestering James. He couldn’t help but frown.
No wonder Nina is leaving the country. A messy tangle of relationships isn’t something she’s ever wanted. She’s a rich, opinionated woman that knows what she wants. It seems like James is indeed not suitable to be her boyfriend.
Carter hesitated for a second before walking over. He pretended to cough to catch the duo’s attention.
Eva, who was bothering James incessantly, immediately retracted her hands. It was fortunate that she knew how to stay composed before others.
Carter questioned straightforwardly, “Are you free, James? Someone sent me to talk to you.”
James instantly agreed. Inviting Carter into his office, he made sure to close the door in Eva’s face.
“It looks like you know your way around women, Mr. Baylor.”
“Please don’t misunderstand, Mr. Scott. I have nothing to do with Eva. Everyone knows I’m courting Nina!”
Carter shrugged. “I don’t care about your love life. I came here to pass on Nina’s words. She’s heading overseas today and hopes that you won’t continue pestering her when she returns.”
James’ expression changed drastically when he heard those words, and he spoke in an agitated tone. “What time is her flight? Why is she leaving the country? Which airline is she taking?”
Carter shoved his hands into his pockets. “My apologies, but I have no idea. I’m merely expressing her wishes on her behalf as her brother. You are not the man for her, so I hope you won’t pester her anymore. If not, she will stay abroad forever.”
James’ face turned ashen. “No. I’m going to look for her. I will prove that I’m the man for her. I promise I will always love her and only her, and I will never be attracted to other women.”
With that, James ran outdoors, staggering as he nearly fell to the ground.
Carter didn’t stop him. He was sure that James wouldn’t be able to find Nina. Even though Nina looked soft and gentle and seemed like she needed someone’s protection, she was a capable and opinionated woman. If she had determined that she was not in love with James, she wouldn’t mislead him or give him a chance to court her.
He left the office, only to see Eva waiting for him with her arms wrapped around her chest. Carter strolled over and greeted her amicably, “Hey, Eva.”
Eva gazed at him while letting out a wry chuckle. “Mr. Carter, are you going to interfere in my love life too? Are you trying to ruin things for me?”
“Eva, I have no intention of doing that. Besides, I hope you and James can resolve your differences and become a couple soon. However, a relationship is not about bugging someone until they love you. I would advise you to save your love for someone else so as not to waste your time,” Carter reminded.
Eva’s persistence in ensuring James understood her love reminded Carter so much of the past. Hence, he couldn’t help but advise her to do otherwise. That was all he could do, though. It still depended on whether Eva was willing to take his advice.
Love is mutual attraction. Hence, having a one-sided is nothing but torture.
“Thank you for your advice, Mr. Carter. However, this is my choice, and I’ve never thought of giving up. He will eventually grow tired of chasing after other women and return to my side. I believe James will choose me after realizing who loves him the most,” Eva voiced confidently. Despite that, her eyes had traces of pain and bitterness.
With that, she turned and left. Noticing how desolate and lonely Eva looked, Carter stared at her back for a while before leaving.
Eva learned that Amelia had returned from overseas when she called the latter. She decided to visit Amelia at her house.
“Amelia, why didn’t you inform me that you’re back? I missed you.” Eva pouted sadly as she hugged Amelia.
Amelia patted her shoulder as she chuckled. “You’re a big girl already, so why are you still acting like a kid?”
“I’m just happy that you’re home.”
“Really? You don’t seem happy to me.” Amelia could sense that Eva was upset.
Eva merely responded by hugging Amelia even tighter. She was feeling lost and confused, for she and James had been going around in circles for many years without ending up in a relationship. Eva didn’t know whether she should give up now. All she knew was that she would be dissatisfied if she stopped loving James now.
I’m so used to chasing after James that I don’t know if I can give up on him after I’ve done so many things for him.
Amelia brought Eva to the couch and made her a cup of coffee. “Let’s talk over some coffee.”
Eva held the cup as the warmth seeped into her skin. “Amelia, did you remarry Oscar already?”
“Not yet. Oscar must be punished for his mistakes. That’s why I’m monitoring his performance. If he does well, I will remarry him. If it is the opposite case, we will stay this way then. It’s fun to be his lover,” Amelia answered with an amused smile.
Eva chuckled as she stared at Amelia with envy.
It’s fascinating how they divorced and got back together twice. They always end up back with each other eventually, and honestly, I envy their relationship. Anyone who desires to be in love will be jealous of Amelia and Oscar.
“You know, Amelia, I envy you. You and Oscar have been through so much. Back then when you decided to leave the country, I thought it was over between you guys. Who would have thought that you two would be together again now after going through so many obstacles? It’s amazing, touching, and comparable to the plot in a romance novel,” Eva uttered dejectedly.
Amelia gazed at her, having somewhat guessed the reason behind Eva’s downcast mood. Her bad mood seems to be related to her current situation with James. Eva has been chasing after him for close to two years, yet there’s still no significant change in their relationship status.
“How is your relationship with James?” Amelia probed.
Eva gave her a bitter smile. “I chased after him for another year after you left the country. However, he has zero interest in me. James only has eyes for Nina. I know I’m not as pretty as her, and any ordinary man would fall in love with her. It’s just that… I resent this outcome. I love James more than she loves him!”
Amelia pulled Eva’s hand over and patted it, wanting to console and advise her. “Eva, it’s all about mutual attraction in a relationship. A woman might get together with a man because his efforts have moved her. However, a man is more unwavering in terms of love. If they already have someone on their mind, they ignore everything other women do for them. James has already made it obvious he doesn’t want to be in a relationship with you. With that being said, there will be no good outcome even if you continue pestering him. Are you sure you don’t want to give up?”
Eva shot Amelia a helpless look. “Amelia, even you think we are not compatible, too?”
“I’ve always thought so. You’re a coach while he’s a doctor. You love to have fun while he’s mature, serious, and attentive. James likes women that are gentle and well-behaved. You aren’t what he’s searching for, to begin with. That’s why both of you aren’t fated to become a couple. Even if you guys ended up being a thing, you will be going on your separate ways in the near future.”
“But I can change my personality for him.”
“Eva, it’s not easy to change one’s character. Your true self will eventually be exposed in the future, even if you hide it perfectly now. When that happens, you guys will fight endlessly. Now, would you rather you guys stay as friends or realize that both of you are not meant to be together because you two keep fighting after you become a couple? Do you want to watch your love for him vanish slowly during the process?”
Reluctantly, Eva remarked, “Amelia, I can be happy when I’m with James.”
Amelia stared at her silently until the latter couldn’t refrain from lowering her head.
“Fine, I won’t force you to give up on James now. Once you’re tired, you can come back here to let your heart heal. After you’ve recovered and are ready, you can move on to start another relationship.”
Hearing that, Eva was touched. “Thank you, Amelia.”
“You’re welcome. You will understand that failing in a relationship is not as terrifying as you thought when you get older. When I separated from Oscar a year ago, I thought it would be best for us to enter a new relationship with other people too. I was lost for a time, but I eventually learned to let go.” Amelia patted the back of Eva’s hand.
She continued, “We don’t always end up with everyone that we fall in love with. Sometimes, we have to let down the person we loved or who loved us. It’s okay to greet them casually when we get older. That’s why I would advise you not to be too hung up over James. If not, you will end up losing yourself in the process too.”
Eva pondered over the words for a long while before nodding.
I think I know what to do now.
She stayed and had lunch with Amelia before bringing a lunchbox to the hospital for James.
James’ anger rose when he saw the lunchbox. He had just been rejected by Nina when he went to look for her at the airport. Moreover, she even claimed that his love for her was annoying, so she decided to stay overseas for a period. Nina then told James that they could be friends if he stopped pestering her when she returned home in the future. If James refused to heed her advice, they would then become strangers. With that, Nina boarded the flight and left, not even giving him a chance to stop her.
James then returned to the hospital in despair. He had wanted to have some alone time when Eva inconveniently appeared. Unfortunately, that meant Eva would bear the brunt of his anger.
The man thundered, “Eva, can you stop being so annoying? I don’t like you. I really don’t! I have never seen anyone as shameless as you! My life is a mess because of you! You are the reason that Nina has left now! I hate you so much. Can you please get out of my life? Just get lost!”
Eva looked at James as her eyes slowly reddened, her heart wrenching in pain. The words had hurt her deeply. “James, do you despise me that much?” Eva asked, trying to suppress her sadness.
“Yes, I do. Very much. I will thank you if you vanish from my life right now.”
Eva nodded to show that she understood. “James, I’ve thought about it on my way here. It’s useless for me to continue pestering you if you hate me that much, so this is the last meal I’ve prepared for you. Worry not; I won’t be bugging you from now on. I will only come searching for you after my love for you has disappeared for good. By then, I think we can be friends again.”
Her veins were popping as she took a deep breath, indicating the effort Eva had used to control her emotions.
James was stunned when he heard Eva’s words and didn’t know how to respond for a moment.
