CHAPTER 7: CHAPTER 7: SUCH A COINCIDENCE

"Oh dear, what’s wrong with you, my child? You must have been bullied by Henry Preston; tomorrow I’ll go to the Preston Family to demand an explanation for bullying my daughter..." My mom was startled and quickly sat on the bed to hug me.

"Mom, Henry, Henry Preston didn’t bully me. I was just really moved by how good you are to me..." I clung to my mom’s waist, choking up as I spoke.

Henry Preston indeed didn’t bully me; all of this was just my wishful thinking.

He’s a frank villain, while I’m a foolish admirer.

My mom gently patted my back and let out a deep sigh. With just me as her daughter, she knows me the best. How could she not know the grievances I suffered with Henry Preston?

I’m not someone who cries easily; if there wasn’t some grievance in my heart, I definitely wouldn’t shed tears.

"Do you still want those sticky rice chicken?" she asked me.

"Yes, I’ve been craving them..." I wiped my tears, got up from the bed, and, still sniffling, linked arms with my mom to go downstairs to eat the sticky rice chicken.

My dad was probably already asleep. In the dining room, it was just my mom and me chatting while eating the fragrant sticky rice chicken. I ate more than half of it in one go. These past few years, I hadn’t eaten much, and suddenly eating so much made my stomach swell up, almost to the point of vomiting.

My mom patted my back, "Why eat so much? You won’t be able to sleep later with a bloated stomach."

"Too hungry." I gave a silly laugh. The last time I ate so heartily was during graduation. Crystal Dawson and I had a graduation dinner, and after graduation, I married Henry Preston, starting a life of resentment.

"Even if you’re hungry, eat slowly. Eat until you’re eighty percent full." My mom gently advised.

I clung to her arm, acting coquettishly, "Mom, sleep with me tonight and tell me about health preservation!"

My mom agreed without a second thought.

When I woke up the next day, I felt more relaxed than ever. After a good meal and sleep, I had breakfast at home and then headed to the hospital.

Joel Sutton was playing on his phone. His leg hadn’t injured the bone, but the flesh wounds were a bit severe and had been stitched up, wrapped in thick bandages, making it unable to move easily.

"Sister, why are you here?" Joel Sutton seemed both surprised and a bit embarrassed to see me, "Actually, you don’t have to worry too much about me, and you don’t need to visit often."

How could that be? I smiled gently and amiably, turned my head, and instructed Lane, "Lane, bring it in."

Lane carried a bunch of nutritional products, placing them next to Joel Sutton’s hospital bed.

Seeing the grand gesture, Joel Sutton was clearly flattered and a bit embarrassed, "Sister, it’s just a flesh wound; it’s not that serious."

"Your body and skin come from your parents; even a flesh wound is an injury." I sat down by the hospital bed, smiling.

"By the way, sister, I still don’t know your name," Joel Sutton suddenly asked.

"My surname is Hathaway; you can call me Miss Hathaway." I answered candidly, not minding this slightly senior title, as I was indeed six years older than Joel Sutton.

Joel Sutton nodded, "Okay, Miss Hathaway."

I stayed in the hospital room, chatting with Joel Sutton. University students’ thoughts are always simple and naive. Joel Sutton is currently a junior majoring in Civil Engineering, working and studying hard during the summer break.

He talked about the future and also about his adorable and beautiful girlfriend, dreaming of having a stable job after graduation and then marrying the girl he loves.

I laughed out loud, somewhat rude, and quickly stopped myself.

Joel Sutton hesitantly asked, "Miss Hathaway, why are you laughing?"

I lightly rubbed the tip of my nose, still gentle like a spring breeze, "Nothing, just... seeing you reminded me of my university days, a time full of beautiful dreams."

"Miss Hathaway, which university did you graduate from?" Joel Sutton asked curiously.

I looked at him deeply, "University A."

Speaking of it, Henry Preston and I could be considered Azure Vaughn and Joel Sutton’s seniors.

Joel Sutton was indeed delighted, "Miss Hathaway, we went to the same university, you’re my senior!"

I pretended to be happy too, "Yes, isn’t it a coincidence?"

City A has several universities, University A ranks among the top three nationally. Those who get in, even if their family background isn’t great, at least have a sharp mind. After graduation, they have promising futures; even if they’re not immensely rich, they can achieve a comfortable middle-class life.

If Azure Vaughn hadn’t met Henry Preston, Joel Sutton’s dreams would likely come true.

So, Joel Sutton and I chatted enthusiastically about University A. He’s talkative, and I’m no less so. As we were chatting and laughing, someone walked in, with a crisp and sweet voice, "Joel, I’ve come to see you!"

Upon hearing this, Henry Preston’s exclusive ringtone from the previous life echoed in my ears again.

The same voice, the same tone.

I turned my head; Azure wore a pure white chiffon dress, her black hair cascading down naturally with a fashionable curl at the ends, adding a bit of femininity to her pure look, charming and beautiful.

The beauty of looks I didn’t envy, but at twenty, the youthful vitality exuded from a young body made my heart sour.

At twenty, I had already been secretly in love with Henry Preston for three years. I spent those best times in that deadly unrequited love affair.

Why, at the same age, did Azure get Henry Preston’s passionate love, while I hid away in my diary, page after page of obsession?

"Azure!" Upon seeing Azure, Joel Sutton’s face lit up with joy, and then a bit of guilt, "If I’d known you would come, I wouldn’t have told you so as not to worry you."

Azure, carrying the fruits she bought, walked over gracefully like a little swan, "Silly, why wouldn’t you tell me if you’re hurt?"

I got up and offered the only chair to Azure.

I was very calm because I would later have to give Henry Preston to her too, so what was a mere chair?

"Sister, it’s you!" Azure suddenly recognized me, she looked at me in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

Because I bumped into your boyfriend.

I awkwardly smiled, "Sorry, I accidentally bumped into Sutton, just here to see how he’s doing."

Azure looked at me, then at Joel Sutton, and surprisingly didn’t blame me or Joel Sutton but instead smiled, "What a coincidence, Joel, this lady often comes to our cafe, she’s very nice, probably just accidentally bumped into you."

Her understanding left me speechless. If it were someone else, it might really have been unintentional, but I’m different; I timed it perfectly when I bumped.

"I know. Miss Hathaway certainly didn’t do it on purpose, and she compensated me more money; I’m a bit embarrassed." Joel Sutton scratched his head in embarrassment.

"That’s not right; only pay what’s due," Azure immediately took out her phone, "Miss Hathaway, please give me your payment code, and I’ll refund the extra money."

Perhaps it’s this calm and detached attitude towards money that attracted Henry Preston?

A girl without a single hint of materialism, her eyes full of clarity.

I conceded; every time she could diminish the worth of my luxury brand clothes.