“What’s the deal? Huh? Tell Grandpa…” Flustered, Ron Batton tried to pry the details out of her.
Xyla Quest shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.”
She did not want to give him any trouble since today was his birthday. It would be more appropriate for her to tell him the truth tomorrow. However, Ron insisted on pursuing the matter. “That’s not true, there must be something wrong with you. I know you very well. Are you afraid of giving me trouble because it’s my birthday today? Come on, tell Grandpa! You’re the one giving me a hard time if you refuse to tell me your problems.”
Xyla, yet, shook her head once more while trying to maintain her calm facade. “You’re imagining things. I’m just excited to see you because we haven’t met for a very long time. ”
“Lies… Be honest with me!” Ron demanded as his face went dark again. “Did your sister bully you again? Or it is someone else?”
“No one bullied me, Grandpa. You’re overthinking.”
“Why are you so down then? You must’ve something on your mind. Grandpa is going to skip dinner if you don’t be frank with me.”
“Grandpa…” Xyla was as helpless as a baby.
Nevertheless, she really did not want to speak the truth today. Who did not want to have a happy and enjoyable birthday?
“Spit it out, girl. ”
“Grandpa, I’m sorry.” Xyla muttered with dread as she hung her head down and closed her eyes. Though she had a lot to tell him, the words seemed to stick in her throat. She did not know where to begin. She really did not want to talk about this matter on his birthday.
Despite that it was a bad timing, she knew that she had to confess to him no matter what. She was well aware of her master’s temper. He would try all his might to get to the bottom of it. He was not going to give in if he did not force the truth out of her.
“Why are you saying sorry to me? Hmm?” Ron’s eyes were filled with curiosity and confusion.
“I think… I think I have to break the promise between us…” Xyla dropped her head as she forced herself to finish that sentence.
The bewilderment in his eyes mounted up instantly. “Break the promise?”
Xyla’s response was to simply nod. She felt like there was a terrible storm brewing inside her and breathing became difficult every minute. “I… I have to divorce your grandson. I can’t carry on with the three years marriage that I promised you. I’m terribly sorry…”
As she spoke, she continued to keep her head down, too afraid to look up and meet his eyes. “I really did try to keep our promise. I told myself I can’t get a divorce no matter what happens. But I lost control of my feelings. I fell in love with someone else and betrayed my husband.”
“Therefore, I want to end this marriage although it hasn’t been three years. I don’t know what to say besides sorry… I’m so sorry, Grandpa… I didn’t say these in the heat of the moment. My decision was very well thought out. I’m extremely sorry about it… I’m sorry…”
After blurting out everything on her mind, Xyla’s head was hung even lower. Pure fear and guilt was all that was in her heart at that moment, her body was paralyzed with terror. She thought, ‘Grandpa must be really mad and upset with me.’
Years ago, she was the one who confidently told her Grandpa that she would definitely keep their promise. It turned out that she was the one who was going to break the promise, too. She felt very much like a condemned prisoner who had committed a heinous crime. The guilt in her mind was so heavy that she could not lift her head at all.
Upon hearing that, Ron Barton’s expression gradually became gentle and the corner of his lips curved up into a shallow arc. “Silly girl, the man must’ve meant a lot to you. He must be so important that you’re willing to confess your feelings to me and request to break our promise for him.”
Xyla nodded, “Yes… Sorry about it, Grandpa. I’m so sorry. Please don’t be angry with me.”
However, the smile on Ron’s face did not falter. “Why did you tell me about it if you think that I’ll be angry? In fact, you could’ve left it out. Our agreement will expire in a few months anyway. Wouldn’t it be better if you tell me that you want a divorce by that time? And be together with that man after that?”
“I didn’t want to lie to you.” Xyla continued to mutter in a serious tone, her eyes fixed on the ground. She was constantly picking the side of her thumb, refusing to lift her head. Her head was as heavy as lead and her face was burning hot.
“Since I’ve betrayed my husband, it’s better for me to get a divorce.”
