The Umbrella He Never Held for Me Chapter 07

I’d already finished a full week of work.

But I wasn’t tired at all. This was my field.

No more running around coordinating with people, filling out forms, stuck in constant urgency.

I thought finding a job back in Cresthill would be a struggle.

But my old company reached out directly. Higher salary too.

My boss said, “Glad you finally came to your senses.”

Right. I gave up everything to follow a man. What was I thinking back then?

Friday after work, I wanted to treat myself.

But then I saw Simon Hayes.

I froze for a second, but there wasn’t the slightest ripple in my heart. The last time I saw him felt like a past life.

The moment he saw me, the corners of his mouth lifted, only for him to quickly force them back down.

He walked over quickly.

“Aren’t you going to explain?”

He pointed at the office building behind me.

“Why did you come back to Cresthill without telling me? What about me? Did you even think about me?”

I didn’t understand what he was accusing me of.

I frowned. “Didn’t we already settle everything that needed to be divided?”

Simon froze. Then he laughed coldly.

“So when you wanted to split the car, you were already planning to leave?”

“I was waiting for you at home, but you’d already planned your escape.”

I didn’t answer. He was just being unreasonable.

I turned to leave.

Simon grabbed my arms, his eyes red.

“Tessa, did you ever think about me? Are we getting married or not?”

“Let go of me!”

I broke free and walked the other way.

Simon didn’t come after me. But when I got home and looked downstairs, he was still standing there exactly where I’d left him.

That night, Yvette called.

“Tessa, is Simon with you?”

Her voice was tight with anger and a little panic.

I didn’t say anything.

She kept pushing.

“He requested a business trip to Cresthill. He won’t answer calls or texts.”

“Tessa, this is your doing, isn’t it? You lured him here on purpose.”

“You know I’m pregnant. I need him right now!”

I said coldly, “Yvette Sinclair, I don’t want any part of this. You come get him. Right now.”

She froze.

“You lose your man and come looking for me? What do you take me for? Something falls on the ground. You really think anyone wants to pick it up?”

Yvette panicked. “Tessa, don’t pretend—”

I cut her off. “Pretend? You two have been pretending in front of me for three years. And now you’re questioning me?”

The line went silent.

“Keep your man. Don’t let me see him again.”

Then I hung up.

It was the day of our company outing.

I got ready and left.

The second I walked out of the apartment complex, I ran into Simon.

He was leaning against the wall, and the moment he saw me, unmistakable admiration flashed through his eyes.

Right. I’d barely made an effort to dress up since coming to Riverside. I was trying to save money for the future. Not make Simon work so hard.

But that became the reason he looked down on me.

Simon walked toward me quickly. “Tessa!”

Before he could finish speaking, Yvette suddenly rushed out from somewhere nearby.

She grabbed his arm, her eyes red.

“Simon Hayes, you’re coming back with me! You can’t do this to me. I’m carrying your baby!”

Simon frowned and tried to shake her off.

But Yvette clung to him with all her strength, refusing to let go as her voice grew louder and louder.

I stood there, watching coldly.

“Tessa.”

Someone called my name from behind.