Even If You Beg Me a Thousand Times, I’ll Never Return to a Bastard Like You

Six years after our divorce, I ran into Jeffrey at a cake shop.

The moment he walked in, the shop assistant greeted him with a familiar smile. "Professor Johnson, are you here to get strawberry cake for your wife again? Same as always, right? I'll wrap it up for you."

Jeffrey simply nodded.

Then, when he saw the two packed mango cakes in my hand, he told the waiter. "Please, add hers to my bill."

I politely refused as I took out my card to pay, but he was faster and swiped his card first.

"This cake is almost a hundred dollars apiece. You used to save up for ages to buy one. I'm a university professor, after all. My financial situation is a little better than yours, so don't be so polite."

However, I still refused to accept it.

He glanced over my outfit and sighed softly. "Annabeth, it's been so many years. Are you still holding a grudge?"

I smiled faintly. "You're overthinking it."

My fingers unconsciously brushed the wedding ring on my left hand.

The truth was, I already had a new husband and child. So, I didn't have time to hold a grudge against another man.

——

Still, Jeffrey was too quick. He'd already swiped his card to pay for me.

Unwilling to accept it, I insisted on paying for it myself.

The clerk smiled apologetically. "Miss, I'm so sorry, this gentleman has already paid for you. Perhaps … you could transfer the money to him?"

I turned to him and said politely, "Please give me your bank number. I'll send it to you."

He sighed helplessly and handed me the packaged cakes instead. "Annabeth, just take it. Your birthday is in three days. Consider these two cakes my birthday gift to you."

Jeffrey's voice was sincere. I didn't speak, but I just opened my payment app. "Just type your bank number. I don't want to owe anyone."

Especially not over two small cakes, which were just enough for an afternoon tea with my daughter.

Seeing my stubbornness, Jeffrey remained silent for a long time before finally pulling out his phone. "You're still the same as before."

I didn't speak, lowering my head as I transferred the money to him.

Jeffrey tried to stop me. "Annabeth, you really don't need to take it so seriously."

His gaze drifted to my worn-out coat, as if he wanted to say something but held back. "I don't need this money. You should use it to buy yourself a couple of new outfits instead."

I froze for a second, then smiled a little.

The reason was that I had given my jacket to a young girl who unexpectedly got her period while I was doing volunteer work earlier today. Since it was already autumn and the weather was getting cooler, I just borrowed a cleaning lady's coat on the way back.

Jeffrey probably assumed I was struggling financially now.

I didn't offer any further explanation, only saying, "Thank you," before turning to leave.

Unexpectedly, the person behind me grabbed my arm.

"Let me give you a ride," he offered.

I stiffened and shook off his hand. "No need. Your wife will misunderstand if she sees this."

Jeffrey's hand, which had reached out to hold mine again, froze in mid-air. He knew that his wife, eight years younger than him, was the best at being coquettish and jealous.

"Annabeth ..." he began, still holding onto my sleeve. "Should we exchange numbers?"

I looked down, remaining silent.

When we divorced six years ago, things got ugly. Not only did I delete and block all of Jeffrey's contacts, but I also swore we'd never speak again for the rest of our lives.

I shook my head. "Forget it."

"Annabeth, there's no need to hold a grudge against me. After all these years, I just want you to be happier," he said.

That man told me he wanted to add my contact info and transfer some money to me. "Consider it … compensation for what happened back then."

I suddenly wanted to laugh.

Back then, I had created a huge scene and thrown away all my dignity.