abcnovels
Chapter 168
Chapter 168
Chapter 168
Regina locked her gaze on Leah, who was sitting across from her in the café.
“Would you like something to drink?” Leah inquired after placing her order.
Regina shook her head and declined, “No thanks. I’ll be leaving once I’m done speaking to you.”
Leah placed the menu aside and crossed her arms. She sat upright like a professional negotiator and asked, “What do you want to say?”
It had been seven years since Leah and Regina last spoke. People could change over time, as evidenced by the two women. Leah remembered that Regina was a soft-spoken girl in high school and they had many fond memories. As a result, her first reaction was to doubt that the woman would deliberately approach Han and make derogatory remarks.
Leah gradually brought back memories from nine years ago as she examined the normal-appearing face in front of her. She was only sixteen years old, suffering under the constant beatings and scoldings from her alcoholic father. Although she managed to free herself from Charlie’s control after entering the country’s top high school with her stellar grades, she realized that she was unable to fit in. Most of her classmates came from wealthy families and looked down on those who were from humble backgrounds.
Despite her quiet and shy demeanor, Regina took the initiative to approach Leah. In one episode, Leah was played a prank on and her bag was thrown from six floors down. The woman was used to such bullying and calmly went to pick her bag without picking up a fuss. A shadow appeared in front of her as she was packing her books that were strewn on the floor. Leah raised her head and was surprised to see Regina quietly picking up her books. It was as though a savior had swooped in to save a damsel in distress.
The memory caused Leah’s expression to visibly soften. Regina noticed the shift in the former’s gaze and quickly put on a disdained look. “Stop looking at me like that.” She inhaled a deep breath before continuing, “I came here to make it clear to you what happened. I liked Han since high school and I got to learn from Shyanne that you saved him once. Hence, I thought to make use of you to get close to Han. Little did I know that he hated you so much.”
Regina dared not look at Leah, who maintained a calm expression. After a short pause, she continued, “I admit that I was secretly looking into you earlier. I approached Han with a hidden agenda.”
Leah sighed and said, “Do you really think it was worth it? You did all these just for a man.”
Regina raised her head and said agitatedly, “Shut up, what gives you the right to reprimand me? You aren’t any better, Leah. Why can’t I learn like you and use such underhand means to win Han’s heart?”
Leah frowned and uttered, “I have done that before so I know that Han will never be moved by love.”
Regina snapped, “That’s untrue! No one can question my love and sacrifice for him! Do you know what kind of life I have been leading for the past nine years? I failed to make it to the same university as both of you. All I could do was to frantically investigate and stalk for news. I learned of you two getting together, getting married…” The woman started to choke and tear up as she spoke.
Leah let out a sigh as she could sense the agony that Regina had experienced. She asked gently, “Weren’t we friends though?”
“Friends?” Regina scoffed and continued, “Don’t you get it? If not for Han, I wouldn’t bother making friends with a nobody like you.”
The smile on Leah’s face faded gradually. Regina’s actions, she reasoned, were motivated by her desire to be with Han. The two had been close friends and shared many happy memories during their three years in high school. Hence, she could not believe it when she heard Regina’s hurtful remarks.
Leah looked at Regina with a cold distant glare and said flatly, “I understand. There is no need to tell me all of this if your purpose today is to do so. In any case, I’m glad for your company during high school. I won’t blame you for these hurtful words.”
Regina was surprised by Leah’s reply. However, she quickly revert to a blank expression and said curtly, “Who needs your forgiveness?” She reasoned that Leah was looking down on her as she was now the successful and accomplished one.
After taking out an item from her bag, Regina continued, “I’m here to make it clear that we have nothing to do with each other from now on. You and I are going our separate ways, so please don’t get involved in my business with Han.” She then threw the item on the table and stomped out of the café without looking back.
Leah examined the white mobile phone placed on the table. She remembered it was the first mobile phone she purchased after working for two semesters in high school. She had shamelessly requested for Han’s phone number and flooded him with text messages. Leah decided to record her thoughts for the man on the phone instead because she was too shy to approach Han in person. She had previously discussed her phone thoughts with Regina. However, Leah misplaced the phone after only a semester of use. She was depressed initially, but quickly recovered when Regina gave her a new phone. It was now evident to Leah that Regina had intentionally stolen her phone.
Leah wondered to herself, it’s been seven years. Why is Regina returning the phone now? Feeling perturbed, the woman decided to keep the phone and leave the café.
After arriving home late at night, Leah took a hot shower. She noticed the phone lying on the table after she had freshened up. She picked up the phone and turned it on after a brief hesitation. Given that it was seven years old, she assumed that the phone was broken. After six seconds, the screen gradually lit up, much to her surprise. Leah’s expression turned to shock when she saw the familiar profile picture on the phone.