"Well, no. I pondered about it for a long while. I thought that I might have feelings for her, but then I realized that she was not worth giving everything up. If I really loved her with all my heart, I would have definitely reciprocated her will to settle down, but I didn't want to compromise just yet. At that time, I knew she could only be pleased if I gave her a family. After we broke up, she married someone right away. Apparently, she was desperate to have her own family at that moment. Then again, I wondered also why I even started dating her in the first place. And I realized that it may have been empathy that made me date her. You see, she was an orphan too."
Eyes wide in surprise, Jean couldn't believe what she just heard from Moore. "So, are you saying that you dated her because you feel sorry for her rather than love her?"
"That could be, yes. Possible! Maybe also the reason why I didn't want to give her a family just yet," Moore replied with a bitter smile and added,"And that's why I have to apologize to her when I see her again. Well, that is, if ever I see her again."
"Moore," Jean gave Moore a serious look and couldn't help but ask,"are you seriously going to tell her that you didn't love her all those years you had been together?"
Moore nodded and then asked confused,"Why? What's wrong? Don't you think it's the right thing to do? I believe that honesty is the best policy."
"Well, I just don't think it's right at all. If you tell her that directly, how do you expect her to behave and feel after knowing the truth about your attitude towards your relationship with each other? Besides, both of you were in a relationship for three years. Moore, that's already a long time. Are you sure you want to let her know that you wasted three years on each other just because you empathized with her? Then, how about her love for you? How do you plan to let her face that fact? That all those years your relationship was actually just one sided instead of mutual as she thought it was?
Moore, if you really feel guilty about what you did to her, I suggest that you don't tell her the truth. I'm sure that what both of you had was a beautiful memory for her, like a dream, so please don't ruin it. I'm sure that she loved you, and don't hurt her again by doing what you plan to do. Moore, it's just not right." Jean stopped and shook her head at Moore.
"I know she loved me, and I also know that she is still in love with me after all these years. Her best friend told me that. That's why I want to tell her the truth, so that she will give up the dream and live a better life with her husband,"
With a bitter smile, Moore explained, trying to make Jean understand his intention.
Jean looked at Moore intently for a while and then asked,"Did she ever look for you?"
"As far as I know of, no, she didn't," Shaking his head, Moore answered honestly.
"Then, I still don't understand. Why do you have to tell her the truth?
Jean Wen sacrificed herself for family interests. Before her husband divorced her, she made every effort to please him.
"You are inexperienced in bed," he said coldly.
"You! Give that land to my family, or I won't agree to divorce," Jean replied furiously.
"Fine. It is exactly what I am thinking about," he sneered.
once it's settled."
"Why should I do that?" Anger rose from Jean at once. "She can wait for me as long as she wants. Why should I avoid her? I'll just ignore her when I see her, so why should I hide from her?"
"Jean, please," Zed begged with a hint of helplessness in his voice. "Listen to me this time, all right? Shirley is in the custody of the police now, and nobody can see her by law. That's why Joy wants to talk to you desperately. Listen to me, okay? I don't want to be angry with you, and most importantly, I don't want you to get hurt ever again."
Hearing Zed's soothing words, Jean slowly calmed down as she replied, sighing in defeat,"Okay, fine. I'll listen to you this time, but no more next time. I will definitely not compromise anymore."
Zed sighed in relief and smiled at once. He knew that Jean would still agree with him in the future despite what she said. Besides, all he decided to do was for her safety and security. He wasn't willing to make any compromises for that. "Good. It's nice of you to make a compromise. Have fun with Moore! I'll pick you up later as soon as I finish dealing with Joy."
Jean instantly spoke before Zed could end the call,"You don't have to pick me up. Toby is with us. He can drive us home. You must be tired from today's work. Zed, honestly, I feel bad knowing that you have to process everything after all the troubles they have caused. That's supposed to be my responsibility." With a heavy heart, Jean apologized on the phone.
"What are you talking about, Jean? I'm your husband. It's my duty to solve your problem, so don't apologize ever again, or I will get angry." Zed pretended to be angry on purpose, acting out with a frown on his face. Jean couldn't help but smile at this.
"Thank you, Zed. Well then, take care of yourself. May I also remind you to never pity Joy. Just do what you need to do." Jean reminded him with concern in her voice before she ended the call, looking out into the horizon.