Crawling Back To Her Series Redemption and Refuse

Book7 Chapter9.

The next morning, Xavier called.

I had just finished getting ready for work.

After a moment's hesitation, I answered.

His voice was anxious.

"Ariella, I'm sorry about last night. I'm a jerk..."

"Is there anything else?"

My voice was cold, making him uneasy.

"Do you remember? My solo exhibition is in three days. I want you to come. I

have a surprise for you."

A surprise...

Hearing that word made me feel even colder.

Xavier was a well-known painter in the country, with some international recognition.

I remember one year on his birthday, I wanted to surprise him.

I bought 999 roses and had them delivered to his studio.

When I got there, I found him and Chloe nestled together, with a freshly painted portrait of them on display.

The painting showed them close and smiling, with a caption that read, "My Happiness."

I stared at that painting, tears streaming down my face.

The 999 roses slipped from my arms, scattering on the floor.

I looked at Xavier through my tears, feeling utterly betrayed.

"Why.... why wasn't it me in that painting?"

Xavier looked annoyed and kicked the roses aside.

"It's just a painting. Is it worth getting upset over?"

Chloe slowly got up from Xavier's shoulder, giving me a challenging look.

"Oh, Ariella, I asked Xavier to paint it. Don't be mad. He can paint one for you too."

No one knew how many times I had begged Xavier to paint me during our eight years together.

At first, he brushed me off, saying he had too many client orders and needed to focus on making money.

He promised to paint me when he had time.

When I asked more, he got irritated.

"We're together every day. What's there to paint? You don't inspire me.noveldrama

Without inspiration, I can't paint."

I was angry and hurt, crying as I looked at him.

"I don't inspire you, but she does? Who's your girlfriend, me or her?"

Xavier's expression turned cold and frightening.

"I can't control who inspires me. Chloe is just my sister. Stop a fuss!"

Suket

The overwhelming pain made me lose control.

"I took the day off to personally arrange 999 roses for you. I pricked my hands on the thorns just to surprise you, and you're here

cozying up with her!"

Maybe it was because I had confronted him in front of his childhood friend.

Xavier's long-suppressed anger finally erupted.

He suddenly went wild, stomping on the roses.

"Surprise? leget truckloads of these t stupid

think they're special?"

Ses every year. And y

s to en.kikistorineset

I was so scared by his outburst that I ran away in tears.

I was heartbroken for a long time.

After that, I never tried to surprise him again, nor did I ask him to paint me.

In that moment, many memories flashed through my mind.

Now he was talking about a surprise at his exhibition.

I could guess what it was.

But I wasn't interested anymore.

I hesitated for a moment, then calmly replied.

"I have work that day, no time."

Xavier sounded disappointed.

"The exhibition is in the evening. You can come after work."

"I might have to work late. I have to go to work now."

I hung up and took a cab to the office.