Chapter 22
Chapter 22
On the day of their return to the States, Claude arranged a private jet to pick up Aaliyah. The two of them sat in the plane together in silence.
Claude really wanted to talk to her, but after being treated coldly by Aaliyah before, he didn’t dare say much, afraid of making her disgusted and unwilling to
come back.
This moment was just like before, but reversed. Aaliyah felt ironic-before the divorce, hadn’t she and Claude’s roles been completely switched? She used to be the one walking on eggshells, now it was Claude’s turn.
She smirked mockingly, ignoring Claude’s gaze and closing her eyes to rest.
A few hours later, they landed domestically.
Claude had arranged everything well. As soon as they reached the terminal, someone came to pick them up. Their schedule was to go to the company during the day to coordinate business-Aaliyah would represent the studio and discuss specific matters with their design department.
Lunch would be at a restaurant near the company.
As for the evening. Claude hadn’t said, but Aaliyah could guess that the evening time was Claude’s real purpose.
She didn’t care. She went step by step to coordinate with the design department. The director was very enthusiastic and really appreciated Aaliyah’s concepts. The two of them talked for a long time, until evening when they finally finished discussing the upcoming design plans.
Claude had been waiting nearby the whole time without showing any impatience. When he saw Aaliyah finally finish her conversation, he walked over.
“Let’s go to the restaurant. Not eating on time is bad for your stomach.”
The director suddenly thought of something. “Is Ms. Rhodes Mr. Preston’s wife?”
Just as Claude was about to confirm, Aaliyah smiled and denied it.
“Ex-wife. Mr. Preston and I divorced a long time ago.”
The director felt awkward, and Claude’s expression darkened, but he held back and brought Aaliyah to the reserved restaurant.
This place was extremely hard to book-you had to wait at least a month to get a table. Who knows what methods Claude used. But Aaliyah didn’t care. She sat down and seriously ate the food that was served, completely uninterested in the beautiful scenery outside.
But Claude seemed to remember something from the past, and his lips curved slightly.
“Aaliyah, do you remember? You once said you wanted to eat at this restaurant. When we came here, you said what you loved most was the view here. I specifically booked the best private room so you can see all of New York.”
Aaliyah didn’t even lift her head. “Yeah, you only took one bite, called me childish, and wanted to divorce me. I remember that too, Claude.”
The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Claude was silent for a while.
“Aaliyah, I know you hate my guts right now. I swear I’ll never bring up divorce again, and I won’t let anyone hurt you. Please, Aaliyah, just give me one more
shot?”
Outside, stars twinkled and the moon hung high-a rare and beautiful sight.
But when you don’t love someone anymore, you just don’t. Aaliyah wouldn’t give herself another chance to be disappointed.
She finished her last bite, wiped her mouth, and stood up.
“If that’s all you wanted to say, then I’m going back.”
Seeing her still cold attitude, Claude’s face went pale as he grabbed Aaliyah’s wrist.
“Wait. Let me show you something first. After you see it, you can decide if you still want to leave.”
Aaliyah nodded.
She got in Claude’s car. Claude drove fast, as if he couldn’t wait for something. He ran several red lights on the way back to their former villa.
Opening the door,
just like when they weren’t divorced yet.
Aaliyah looked carefully but didn’t comment.
Claude then opened the deepest drawer and took out a familiar manila envelope. He opened it-it was full of love letters. He randomly picked one and opened it, reading it sentence by sentence.
These were his feelings hidden in the deepest places.
Aaliyah didn’t tell him she’d already seen them.
She remained unmoved, listening to Claude read through all the love letters from all these years. The man’s eyes were red, his fingers trembling.
“Aaliyah, please tell me you believe me now. I love you-I’ve always loved you. I fucked up so bad before, but please, just let me try to make this right?”
Aaliyah looked at him and suddenly said.
“If I told you to kneel here for a day and a night and I’d forgive you, would you do it?”
