Small Things You Promised Chapter 08
Cayson’s expression shifted from nervousness to joy. He reached out to hug me, but I stepped back.
“My condition is that Sadie returns the necklace to me.
“It was a gift from you when we first got together. I was really hurt when you asked me to give it to her.”
The room fell silent.
Sadie’s expression froze, and Cayson’s face turned slightly pale.
I glanced at Sadie. “Sadie, can you give it back to me?”
Her face blushed. She looked at him, seemingly hoping he would say something.
But Cayson parted his lips, and no words came out.
Sadie bit her lip and took off the necklace. Her hand trembled as she handed it to me.
Mom seemed to realize what had happened and slapped the necklace away. “Now I understand. You two bullied my daughter and even encouraged me to pressure her into staying with you!
“She was forced to give her gift to another woman. What else have you done to her?!”
Tears streamed down Mom’s cheeks as she shouted.
“Jorge, say something! Our daughter has been bullied. If you dare ask her to stay with Cayson, I’ll divorce you!”
Dad couldn’t understand what was going on. To him, it was just a necklace.
But when he saw Mom’s furious expression, he was left speechless.
Mom turned around and wiped away her tears with her sleeve.
Then she asked, “Is it true that he didn’t take you to the hospital when you had a forty-Celsius-degree fever?”
“Yes.”
“And you went to the hospital by yourself when your waist hurt?”
“Yes.”
Mom turned around to face Cayson and his parents. “I’m taking my daughter home. I don’t think she is suited for a prestigious family like yours.”
Then she said to me, “Come on. I’ll make your favorite steak for you.”
Mom took my hand and led me out.
Cayson stepped in front of us, blocking the way.
His eyes were red as he said through clenched teeth, “Rae, don’t leave.
“I’m sorry. Please give me another chance. I’ll never…”
I had never seen him so panicked before.
But I could tell it wasn’t because he was afraid of losing me. It was because the perfect world he had carefully built was about to fall apart.
“Rae, please say something.”
His voice turned hoarse. “You can hit me or yell at me. Just don’t leave me.”
I looked at him steadily.
Over the past five years, I had tried countless ways to make him take me seriously—crying, throwing tantrums, ignoring him, even trying to please him.
In the end, I realized he only paid attention when I threatened to leave.
But it was already too late.
“Cayson, you never truly care about me. You don’t remember the things I like.
“You don’t care about the life we’ve built together.
“You wouldn’t even speak to me directly when you want me to stay. Instead, you asked our parents to pressure me.
“Tell me. Am I really that unworthy of your attention?”
As we stepped into the elevator and the doors closed, I saw his eyes redden.
He stood there in his suit, stunned. His lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
And with her neck now bare, Sadie looked at us with a complicated expression.
Finally, the elevator doors closed completely, and it began descending.
Mom held my hand tightly, as if afraid I would change my mind.
“Tell me again.”
Her voice was thick with emotion.
“Is it true that he never went to the hospital with you?”
“Yes.”
Mom fell silent for two seconds before saying something that nearly made me cry.
“I won’t pressure you to get married anymore. Staying single is fine, as long as it’s what you want.”