The Masterpiece of Leaving：Prepared A Perfect Stand-In For Him novel Chapter 82

I pressed my lips together, my eyes filled with a sense of determination. Some things just couldn't stay hidden forever. "Aubrey believes you because he had faith in your relationship. But others can see right through it; you can't hide the truth from everyone."

"Also, Cathy, be honest with yourself. Back then, you deliberately kept silent, not just because you were at a loss for words, but there was also a hint of that spoiled attitude in you. You were certain that Aubrey cared for you deeply, and even if you were caught red-handed, he wouldn't abandon you."

"You were waiting for him to speak up, to shatter his self-esteem just to satisfy your own caprice! Cathy, aren't you being far too selfish?"

I actually hit the nail on the head!

Cathy's anger quickly shifted to shock as she stared at me in disbelief. How on earth had I managed to see through what she was thinking back then?

After a while, she finally thought of a way to retort. She was Cathy, after all, and she wasn't about to let me trample all over her like this. Thinking about that made her nod with a sense of satisfaction. "Yes, that's exactly what I meant. So what? No matter how capricious I am, Aubrey loves me, and he's willing to give me everything."

She boasted about Aubrey's love, and that once elegant and noble look on her face was replaced by something so shameless. She now seemed so vulgar that it was almost nauseating to look at her.

I couldn't help but wonder, if Aubrey saw her like this, would he still be able to like her? My gaze drifted to another figure not too far away, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

Cathy didn't notice the change in my expression and took a step closer with each word she said. "Navier, this is the difference between you and me!"

I had "stolen" Aubrey from her for four years, and that made her hate me to the core. During all that time, she'd been careful not to confront me directly, just to maintain her good image. But now, in this small village where there weren't many people around, she probably thought that even if she crushed me, no one would ever find out.

She stretched out her swan-like neck, and a smug smile spread across her lips. "My man, he loves me. Even if you took him away, his heart has always been with me. Even if I make him do anything, he'll do it willingly. But you? You could grovel in front of him like a dog, and he wouldn't even want to look at you for a second longer!"

I replied in a rather casual tone and pointed behind her. "Are you brave enough to say that right in front of Aubrey?"

"What... Of course, I'm brave enough!" Cathy was so caught up in her excitement that she couldn't hold herself back.

By the time she realized something was wrong, it was already too late. She'd blurted out everything.

Reluctantly, she turned her head, and as soon as she saw the man's face, her mind went completely blank.

Her body swayed unsteadily, and the man standing there had such a gloomy and cold look about him, as if he was surrounded by a thick layer of ice.

The air seemed to freeze in an instant, and it felt like even breathing had become a struggle.

"Aubrey..." She whispered, her throat feeling as if it was blocked, making it hard to get the words out. Her body kept swaying, and she was on the verge of collapsing. What had she just said?

She glared at me fiercely, finally understanding what had happened. I'd deliberately provoked her into saying those things!

She stared at his face. His expression was calm, and his eyes were as deep as ever, impossible to read.

Was she just imagining things?

She'd been trying so hard lately, and he'd never said anything like this before. How could he say it now, after seeing her make such a fool of herself just now?

Cathy was beyond confused, but her doubts were quickly drowned out by joy, and she threw herself into his arms...

Aubrey closed his eyes silently and put his hand on her back, patting her gently. The Cathy in front of him now was truly someone he didn't recognize, but even so, she had once been so devoted to him.

---

As the sun slowly made its way down the sky, I sat by the door, gently washing Iris's face. The warm, golden light of the setting sun seemed to wrap around the two of us, making it feel so cozy and peaceful. In the distance, I could hear the birds chirping away as they flew back home in pairs.

After I finished washing Iris's face, I picked up the basin and walked over to pour the water on the melon vines that Aurora had planted right beside us. Just as I was watering them, I felt Iris tug at my clothes. She said in her sweet little voice, "Mommy, look over there..."

I put down the basin and followed the direction of Iris's gaze. There, standing under the melon trellis, was a person. His hands were hanging loosely at his sides, and I noticed his fingers were long and slender. He stood so upright, and the evening sun was casting a warm, golden halo all around him. Strangely enough, there was this kind of loneliness that seemed to be coming from him, making him look a bit out of place in this otherwise idyllic scene.