Chapter 4 · Twenty Years Later, I Returned A Heroine

I stopped and turned around to face David.

"Don't get worked up over what Mike said. He's just messing around," David explained.

I nodded, but David just stood there, not making any move to come back.

"I'm just stepping out for some fresh air. No need to come with me," I said.

With that, I turned and walked out. David made a move to follow, but in the end, he held back.

Outside, I found a little convenience store that was still open and dialed my dad's number.

The thing I was most worried about right now was my dad.

When I told him what I was about to do, he didn't try to stop me. He just said, "Sweetie, I know your mom might be gone, and I understand why you can't bring yourself to tell me where you are going.

"I don't blame you, and I don't blame your mom either. This is something you both have to bear. Whether David gets married again or not, I'll always look after Mike. Just go do what you need to do, don't worry about us."

I couldn't help but start sobbing, "Dad, I'm sorry, but I have to be there. I still have a little money left. I'll bring it to you tomorrow. It's all I have to give you."

After I hung up, my heart was still in turmoil.

On my way home, tears kept streaming down my face.

I had to do my mission, and at least I had someone who understood and supported me.

When I got back to the courtyard and was about to open the door, I heard Tyra's voice.

"Dave," she said, sounding like she'd been crying, her voice trembling with sobs. "Dave, I moved next door for you. I've been by your side for years. You know how I feel about you.

"I'm not getting any younger. I want a family, and I want someone who truly cares about me. David, I can't keep waiting for you forever."

Tyra sounded absolutely heartbroken, and honestly, I totally got where she was coming from.

She was one of the few in our village who'd actually gone to college, but she gave up better jobs just to devote herself to David.

Even I could see how deeply she cared for him.

"Tyra, seriously," David said, sounding exhausted and a bit annoyed. "Look, I've told you, I'm not ready for this. Millie would come back anytime. You shouldn't be so reckless. If she overhears, she'll just freak out again."

He sounded just like a cold-hearted bastard.

I was the one who took the initiative and went to the matchmaker myself to set up my marriage with David.

My dad just wanted me to settle down, get married, and at least have a kid, so I wouldn't end up with nothing after all I'd been through.

David was also in need of a marriage, so I had the matchmaker pair us up.

Things were going pretty well between us until one day I stumbled upon a picture of him with Tyra.

Back in those days, guys and girls would always keep their distance. Nobody would see them standing side by side for a photo unless something was going on between them.

That was when I realized David had already been matched with someone else before me.

Then Tyra showed up.

I kept acting like I had no idea who she was, just kept picking fights with David, but he'd just snap back at me every time.

Michael couldn't stand me, and honestly, neither could David.

I was so tired of going through the motions. I deserved a life of my own.

*****

That night after I came back, I spent it sleeping on a bench outside the house.

When Michael got up in the morning, he slung his backpack onto the bench out of habit.

I yelped in pain.

David didn't scold him. He just gave me a guilty glance. "Millie, why are you sleeping on a bench? Still pulling the pity card? Haven't you milked this act enough after all these years?

"Face it, Michael's grown up now. He's not buying your drama anymore."

In the end, I didn't say a word. I just looked at Michael, my heart heavy, not wanting to let go.

I wanted so badly to spend some real time with my son. Today was my last chance, and I didn't know if I'd ever get to see him again.

When Michael caught my gaze, he stiffened like I was the enemy. His face instantly turned cold. "Tyra's taking me to school. Dad, let's go, now."

Michael bolted out of there as he urged David, like he was terrified I might actually follow him.

Chapter 4

I stopped and turned around to face David.

"Don't get worked up over what Mike said. He's just messing around," David explained.

I nodded, but David just stood there, not making any move to come back.

"I'm just stepping out for some fresh air. No need to come with me," I said.

With that, I turned and walked out. David made a move to follow, but in the end, he held back.

Outside, I found a little convenience store that was still open and dialed my dad's number.

The thing I was most worried about right now was my dad.

When I told him what I was about to do, he didn't try to stop me. He just said, "Sweetie, I know your mom might be gone, and I understand why you can't bring yourself to tell me where you are going.

I couldn't help but start sobbing, "Dad, I'm sorry, but I have to be there. I still have a little money left. I'll bring it to you tomorrow. It's all I have to give you."

After I hung up, my heart was still in turmoil.

On my way home, tears kept streaming down my face.

I had to do my mission, and at least I had someone who understood and supported me.

When I got back to the courtyard and was about to open the door, I heard Tyra's voice.

"Dave," she said, sounding like she'd been crying, her voice trembling with sobs. "Dave, I moved next door for you. I've been by your side for years. You know how I feel about you.

"I'm not getting any younger. I want a family, and I want someone who truly cares about me. David, I can't keep waiting for you forever."

Tyra sounded absolutely heartbroken, and honestly, I totally got where she was coming from.

She was one of the few in our village who'd actually gone to college, but she gave up better jobs just to devote herself to David.

Even I could see how deeply she cared for him.

He sounded just like a cold-hearted bastard.

I was the one who took the initiative and went to the matchmaker myself to set up my marriage with David.

My dad just wanted me to settle down, get married, and at least have a kid, so I wouldn't end up with nothing after all I'd been through.

David was also in need of a marriage, so I had the matchmaker pair us up.

Things were going pretty well between us until one day I stumbled upon a picture of him with Tyra.

Back in those days, guys and girls would always keep their distance. Nobody would see them standing side by side for a photo unless something was going on between them.

That was when I realized David had already been matched with someone else before me.

Then Tyra showed up.

I kept acting like I had no idea who she was, just kept picking fights with David, but he'd just snap back at me every time.

Michael couldn't stand me, and honestly, neither could David.

I was so tired of going through the motions. I deserved a life of my own.

*****

That night after I came back, I spent it sleeping on a bench outside the house.

When Michael got up in the morning, he slung his backpack onto the bench out of habit.

I yelped in pain.

David didn't scold him. He just gave me a guilty glance. "Millie, why are you sleeping on a bench? Still pulling the pity card? Haven't you milked this act enough after all these years?

"Face it, Michael's grown up now. He's not buying your drama anymore."

In the end, I didn't say a word. I just looked at Michael, my heart heavy, not wanting to let go.

I wanted so badly to spend some real time with my son. Today was my last chance, and I didn't know if I'd ever get to see him again.

When Michael caught my gaze, he stiffened like I was the enemy. His face instantly turned cold. "Tyra's taking me to school. Dad, let's go, now."

Michael bolted out of there as he urged David, like he was terrified I might actually follow him.