Too Much to Bear, My Love novel Chapter 601

Chapter 601 No Hard Feelings

Crystal looked at the leather bag on the table and felt suddenly uneasy.

Crystal did not touch the leather pouch. “What is this, Mrs. Hisson?”

“Take a look, Crystal,” Kate said, echoing Terrence the night before.

Under Kate’s discerning gaze, Crystal opened the leather pouch reluctantly and emptied its contents out onto the table. Her face paled at once at the sight of the photos and documents scattered before her.

“Mrs. Hisson, I-I…” Crystal bleated with trembling lips as she picked up some of the photos.

“The old man had you investigated. As you know how much Derrick means to him, you should also understand how important it is to him that his grandson marries the right girl. Sending someone to investigate you is only inevitable. Lo and behold, these are the first things he finds out about you. Could you help me understand?” Kate looked at her with an enigmatic half-smile.

Crystal’s mouth went dry. Despite feeling disoriented, she improvised quickly. “I can explain, Mrs. Hisson. The men in the photo are all my friends. We’re close, you know, and have been for years. Sometimes we even forget about social conventions given how close we are.”

“I like you very much, Crystal. I really do want you to be my daughter-in-law. My only condition is that she remains clean for my son.”

Crystal hurriedly raised three fingers to swear an oath. “I promise you that I only have Derrick in my heart, Mrs. Hisson. Though I have many friends of the opposite sex, I’ve always kept a safe distance from them and had never crossed the line. Despite saving myself for Derrick, he has never reciprocated my feelings for him. As if that’s not bad enough, Derrick is openly in a relationship with another woman. You have never given me an explanation for this, Mrs. Hisson. I never know what to tell my parents who have asked me several times about my status with him. I am not getting any younger, and I have moved away from my family in Beshya to be with him. I hope you can provide a satisfactory answer to my parents. It has been difficult for me too, you know.”

Kate’s eyes narrowed as her expression soured. “Are you threatening me, Crystal?”

“You know that’s not what I meant, Mrs. Hisson,” Crystal said quietly. “I’ve never felt the connection I have with Derrick with any other men. It’s also my dream for things to work out with Derrick, but he only has eyes for other women. If I’m not going to be made an honest woman any time soon, I think I should be free to explore my options, shouldn’t I?”

Crystal had been doing a good job of suppressing her true nature. If she had not been caught off-guard by the photographs, she would not contradict herself so soon. Kate’s impetuous accusation had sparked her temper.

“I never knew of this thorny side, Crystal,” Kate sneered. “You have always been gentle and docile.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Crystal said, deciding to put everything out in the open. “I’m just tired of being led on, that’s all. All I want from you is a clear answer. Do you know how bad it looks on me to be chasing a man this shamelessly? To tell you the truth, my parents are getting angry.”

Kate lapsed into thoughtful silence.

“I don’t know who took these photos,” Crystal continued, “but I can confidently tell you that I am not involved with any of them. On the other hand, Derrick’s involvement with other women essentially makes me the third wheel. Do you know how embarrassing that is? Don’t you think you owe me and my parents an explanation?” Sitting up a little straighter, Crystal pressed her advantage. “Look, Mrs. Hisson, I didn’t mean to come off hostile. It isn’t easy being a victim of the circumstances. I regard Derrick as my future husband, but the Hissons had gone back on their word by allowing him to date other women. My parents have given me an ultimatum. Either marry Derrick or return to Beshya.”

For a long time, Kate did not move or speak.

Thankfully, the waiter’s arrival soon after with the food broke the awkwardness between the two women.

“Here you go,” the waiter said as he set down the food. “Enjoy your meal, madam, miss.”

Even after his departure, the atmosphere between the two remained strained.

After a quick glance around, Crystal spoke first. “I would like to apologize to you for speaking out of turn, Mrs. Hisson. I hope you can forgive me. I also understand that Derrick’s actions are out of your control. The pressure my parents placed on me caused my embarrassing outburst.”

Kate’s frostiness melted a little.

Crystal pressed her momentum by serving the older woman before continuing, “Have a taste, Mrs. Hisson. I hope you find it pleasant on your palate.”