Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

Chapter 542

Chapter 542

Chapter 542 A Dream

“It’s because you like her and she’s the only one in your heart. I can never gain a place in your heart no matter what I do.” “It’s because you like her and she’s the only one in your heart. I can never gain a place in your heart no matter what I do.”

Isabel nearly sobbed when she made those statements, tears already streaming down her face.

She couldn’t figure out why Gilbert couldn’t let Elspeth go even though she was married and had a child.

Every time Elspeth’s name was brought up, she feared the arrogance and trust in her sister’s eyes.

Elspeth was too outstanding. No matter what she did, Isabel just couldn’t catch up with her.

Moreover, Gilbert never seemed to have noticed her, which made her feel distressed and helpless.

“Men are everywhere out there in the world. We’re not fit for each other, and you have better choices.”

“To me, you’re the best choice I can make.” Isabel looked into his eyes with a burning gaze as if anticipating his answer.

“Stop making a fuss, Isabel. Change your clothes and come home with me. Elsie is still waiting for you.”

Gilbert was also worried that he might hurt her with harsh words, so he softened his tone.

Isabel instantly turned cold upon hearing that. “If you’re not going to accept me, then leave me alone!”

Her words immediately attracted cheers from the men around them.

“Come on! Weren’t you going to dance? Why are you not dancing yet?”

“Who’s that man? Why is he in our way?”

“Go away! Stop causing trouble here.”

Isabel shot him a charming grin that was never before seen. Striding toward the stage, she nodded to the crowd bashfully and started dancing in front of them.

From her movements, one could tell she wasn’t a professional dancer but was self-taught the hard way.

Even though she appeared slightly stiff, her baby face and bashful grins successfully elicited cheers from the men under the stage.

“Great performance!”

Gilbert glanced at the men under the stage before turning his gaze back to Isabel. At that moment, the gloom in his eyes grew intense.

After the song ended, Isabel went down the stage and walked up to Gilbert as if waiting for a compliment.

“How did I do?”

“Sleazy,” Gilbert spat coldly.

The smile on her face froze before she pouted. “But Elsie used to dance in a bar…”

This time, he could no longer hold it in. With a long face, he grabbed Isabel’s wrist.

“Elsie here, Elsie there. Can you stop bringing her up? I can’t date you because I solely can’t. Besides, I don’t fancy you and it doesn’t have anything to do with her. Even if I didn’t know her, I wouldn’t fall for

you.”

Isabel was dumbfounded by his statement. “That’s impossible! You’re lying. If it weren’t for her, you would have fallen for me,” she muttered.

“Nope.” Gilbert finally gained his rationality as he urged, “Don’t waste time on me anymore, Isabel. There is no possibility between us.”

Isabel eventually bawled as she never expected him to reject her outright like this.

Suddenly, she regretted her actions. If she hadn’t pestered him for an answer, could he have stayed by her side?

Unfortunately, nothing could be undone now. Their relationship ended in a bad way, and she was defeated eventually.

Crouching on the ground, she bawled until she lost her voice.

Slowly, she got up, but she had a blank expression plastered on her face.

“I won’t cause any more trouble. I’ll head back with you now.”

Gilbert finally sighed a breath of relief.

Even though he couldn’t tell her true emotions, he was glad that at least she could still be rational and go back with him.

He then nodded and was about to take off his coat to drape over her, but she stopped him.

“Stop treating me so kindly.” Isabel shut her eyes painfully. “If you really want me to give up on you, whether or not it is a conscious or subconscious act, stop all your actions.”

He understood her intentions, so he didn’t insist on giving her his jacket.

Once the two left the bar, Isabel took the initiative to sit in the backseat.

She remained silent during the ride and merely turned sideways to look out the window.

Hence, Gilbert tried to initiate a conversation. “When you reach Elsie’s house later, remember to be sensible—”

Before he could finish speaking, Isabel coldly interrupted him, “I’m not a child anymore. I don’t need you to lecture me.”

Failing to enlighten the mood, he felt embarrassed and immediately shut up.

Elspeth and Callum were already standing at the door by the time they arrived at Winthrop Residence. Gilbert opened the door for Isabel and informed her, “I’ll bring your things over later on.”

“Thanks.”

It was a cold yet polite answer.

When Gilbert and Elspeth chatted with each other, he realized that he didn’t really have the desire to talk to her this time. Instead, he paid more attention to Isabel, who was silent and seemingly lifeless at that moment.

Seeing that she didn’t even bother with him, he had no choice but to leave with a sigh.

Once he left, Elspeth approached Isabel as she knew what was going on between them. Patiently, she asked, “What’s wrong? Why did you decide to leave home all of a sudden?”

“That’s not my home,” Isabel answered stubbornly with tears filling her eyes.

Elspeth felt bad for her at the sight of her aggrieved appearance. “What’s so great about him? When you grow older, I’ll introduce you to someone better.”

“Don’t worry, Elsie. I don’t need them.”

Isabel was aware that Elspeth was doing it for her sake, and she also knew what Gilbert said to her was all for her own good.

She was neither ignorant nor losing her temper. She was just unable to accept the fact for now.

“It’s alright. Everyone has someone they can’t love. Most importantly, you must stay strong. You must still love yourself even though he doesn’t reciprocate your feelings. Only in that way can you get someone to love you. Okay?”

Imagining the man with a cigarette between his lips leaning against the wall, she shook her head. “I’m not going to fall for someone else.”

What a stubborn young lady. Elspeth smiled bitterly as she shook her head and exchanged glances with Callum.

Callum blurted, “You both are quite similar in terms of personalities.”

She had always been stubborn and persistent when it came to her feelings and relationship.

Taking a deep breath, Isabel tried to show a calm look. “Elsie, Callum, I’m totally fine. Don’t worry about me, okay? I’m gonna go home now.”

She clutched the keys that Gilbert stuffed into her hand earlier.

The warmth of his palm still lingered on the keys, making her feel a little dazed.

If only everything was a dream.

Sadly, he was the one who pushed her away with no room for redemption.