The Love I Hid from You

As usual, Leon leaned over and fastened her seat belt. Seeing her red-rimmed eyes, he comforted her softly, "The video incident was an accident. I'll have someone settle it. You're not in a good state today, so I'll send you home to rest first."

Joy pursed her lips slightly, recalling what he had said in the office, and tears uncontrollably poured out of her eyes.

Slightly taken aback, Leon raised his hand to wipe away her tears. Then, he remembered something and opened the car door, saying, "Wait for me for a moment. I need to buy something."

It was only when the car door closed that Joy realized Leon had taken the wrong phone. His phone was placed in the groove beside the door handle. Driven by a strange impulse, Joy picked it up and keyed in Charmaine's birthday.

The phone unlocked successfully and Joy saw Charmaine's name pinned at the top of his WhatsApp.

In their recent chat records, Charmaine had asked him if he could break up with Joy before Charmaine returned.

Leon replied: [She's just a plaything. I've never truly been with her.]

Joy's heart jolted suddenly. Despite the feelings welling up within her, she continued to scroll through the chat.

During the two years Charmaine was abroad, Leon called her every day without fail, always around 8pm. It was also the time he mentioned that he had a board meeting and asked Joy not to disturb him under any circumstances. Besides that, he would transfer money to Charmaine every month, amounting to six figures. He did it decisively and without hesitation.

Charmaine was also great at being coy. From time to time, she sent a few selfies, fishing for compliments. Leon would reply with cute emojis Joy had never seen before and remind Charmaine not to wear too little and to be careful not to catch a cold.

Looking at the chat records, Joy finally realized that she had never known Leon. The gentleness and consideration he showed were just the tip of the iceberg of his passionate love for Charmaine.

When Leon returned to the car, he had a box of morning-after pills in his hand. Leon stroked her head and said in an extremely gentle tone, "Last night was a bit rushed. We didn't think it through. Take this, just in case."

Joy gripped the medicine box with both hands, her lips almost bleeding from biting her own lips. If she had not heard it with her own ears, she would probably still foolishly think that Leon genuinely cared about her. Now, she was completely sober.

After the car stopped in front of the villa, Leon habitually kissed her goodbye, but Joy avoided his kiss and hurriedly unbuckled her seat belt.

Leon's eyes darkened as he forcefully held her in his arms. "Are you still upset about the video?"

Joy was silent.

"I didn't record the video, and the person in charge of the hotel has been fired." Leon lifted her chin. "Joy, I never thought of hurting you and I will never hurt you. Our anniversary is around the corner. I will make it up to you by then."

Compared to the truth, these lies disguised as kindness hurt more.

Joy pushed Leon away and answered, "I'll go home first."

She almost ran into the villa. Unexpectedly, she bumped into her father, Hector Quinn, as soon as she got inside.

Hector seemed gloomy. Before Joy could speak, he raised his hand and slapped her hard. "Joy, I really underestimated you. You can date around, but how could you film such a shameless video? You humiliated me! It’s no wonder those people in your school keep picking on you. It turns out that you're filthy and disgusting!"

After Hector finished scolding, he threw a plane ticket in front of Joy. "I booked a flight for you that will depart in seven days. When the time comes, get as far away as you can and never come back!"

Joy picked up the plane ticket on the ground, her fingers trembling slightly as if it were a verdict stating that she was entirely abandoned by the world. Hector thought she was embarrassing and wanted her to leave. However, it just so happened that she did not want to stay either.

Joy replied calmly, "I will leave. I will obey you and never come back."

Hector paused, thinking he had heard it wrong. He had arranged for Charmaine to study abroad and tried to persuade Joy to go with her, but Joy refused to go. After repeated questioning, he learned that she had a boyfriend and was deeply in love with the guy. He thought Joy would refuse again, but she unexpectedly agreed.

Hector restrained his anger and instructed coldly, "Charmaine will return this weekend. I will hold a welcoming party for her. You should also attend. Since the video is out, it will confirm those rumors if you don't show up."

Joy nodded. "Got it."

...

Joy asked for three days off from school.

She used these three days to pack up all the things Leon had given her, and sold them online at their original prices.

Charmaine returned three days later.

Hector held a welcoming party for her at the largest hotel in Jameson City, inviting all the big shots in the business world, including Leon.

Joy did not expect to meet Leon on such an occasion. When she turned around to leave, Leon grabbed her wrist and dragged her into a corner, no one else around.

Leon pinned her against the wall, his arms pressing on either side of her as his hot breath brushed against her ear. "You didn't go to school these days, didn't reply to my messages, and didn't even prepare anything for our anniversary. Joy, do you know how worried I’ve been about you?"