Chapter 12 I wanted to cry so badly–for the girl in my past life who died without ever hearing those words. But I couldn’t break down in front of Alex. He might think his little speech had actually gotten to me. Taking a deep breath, I said flatly: “Alex, please leave. We’re from completely different worlds.” Alex ignored me. He basically moved in and refused to leave. rd opened a small family–style restaurant. The location was good, and I used quality ingredients, so business was decent. I knew trying to fight Alex would be like an ant trying to stop an elephant. noveldramaSo I just ignored his existence. When he followed me to the restaurant, I pretended not to see him. When he helped take orders and clear tables, I acted like I was still half–asleep. Until one of my regular customers came up and asked: “Hey Ella, is this guy your boyfriend or just some admirer? I was gonna introduce you to my nephew!” I finally snapped. I cornered Alex in the kitchen as he came back with a stack of dirty plates: “What the hell are you trying to do? Our contract is over. We have nothing to do with each other. Can you please stop messing with my life?” Alex, whose hands–which usually only touched business documents–were now covered in grease, looked hurt: “You won’t come back with me, so I’m staying here with you. Can’t you tell? I’m courting you!” I was speechless. I had no idea what Alex was thinking, abandoning his huge company to work as a server in my tiny restaurant. Because of him, my life got turned upside down. All the local ladies who wanted to set me up with their nephews kept asking when Alex and I had met. The customers loved chatting with him because he seemed to know about everything. ་ ཇ་ ྃ་ཇ ེ་ ྃ In just two weeks, he’d become a local celebrity. People constantly asked me: “Ella, when are you marrying that handsome guy?” While Alex looked more relaxed and even filled out a bit, I’d been losing my appetite ever since he showed up. Finally, unable to take it anymore, I asked Alex: “What’s it gonna take for you to go back to being a CEO?” Alex, munching on a banana the fruit shop owner had given him, said casually. “You agree to come back with me. You agree to marry me. Otherwise I’m staying right here. I actually like it here.” I’d thought about moving to another city. But as long as Alex hadn’t changed his mind, I’d never have peace anywhere. After thinking it over and reading hundreds of online posts about men losing interest after marriage, I agreed to go back with Alex. On the plane home, Alex asked curiously: “What did I do that changed your mind?” I couldn’t exactly say I thought divorce might be the fastest way to get rid of him for good. “I don’t know. Maybe I figured marrying you would be the highlight of my life or something.” Alex could tell I was bullshitting him. When he kept asking questions, I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep. I don’t know what Alex was worried about, but he planned our wedding at lightning speed. Before we signed the marriage license, I hired a lawyer to draft a prenup. Alex was confused and annoyed by this move, but with his disapproving parents and family watching, he didn’t say anything. I had the lawyer include: *If the husband develops feelings for another woman or has an affair, the marriage is immediately dissolved.” Plus a bunch of other restrictions on Alex. For me, there was only one important clause: *The husband’s premarital assets have no relation to the wife. Alex signed his name without the slightest hesitation. Fine then. I was willing to take one more gamble. Before I found out I was pregnant, I had a dream. In the dream, I was somewhere very dark. Several voices–strange yet familiar–whispered in my ears: “Ella, live well for all of us. Always remember to love yourself most.” “Ella, all the bad stuff is behind you now. Be happy every single day.” “Ella, live happily until you’re old and gray. That’s what we all want for you…”