Five Years of Broken Dreams

Chapter 5

The room erupted in shock. I didn't give any further explanation. After the meeting, I had my assistant publicly announce my decision.

If Derek's family wanted a grandchild so badly, they could start spending their own money!

After wrapping up various company matters, I returned home.

I informed my parents half an hour in advance, and my mother promised to cancel her plans to have dinner with me that night.

Since I made my announcement, Derek had called me over a dozen times, and I ignored every single one.

When I got home, my mother noticed the dark circles under my eyes and looked at me with concern.

"Lily, what happened? You look exhausted."

Her gentle demeanor broke my composure, and I hugged her, tears welling up in my throat.

I had always been the family's little princess, rarely bullied and seldom crying in front of my mother.

But as the tears streamed down, my mother sensed something was very wrong.

Her phone rang twice. After a quick glance, she gently patted my back and said, "You've always shared good news but kept the bad to yourself. Why didn't you tell us about this huge issue when you were feeling so mistreated?"

I sobbed for a long time before I managed to explain.

"It was me who insisted on marrying Derek against your and Dad's wishes. I know you've always had doubts about him. I didn't want to burden you more!"

My mother replied, slightly annoyed, "Your father and I will always support you. Don't worry about us blaming you."

"We said Derek wasn't right for you. You chose him, but it's not too late. If he dares to treat you like this, you can find someone better."

I cried on her shoulder for a while. Even though she was gentle, she was clearly furious about Derek.

My father came home around that time, and surprisingly, Alex, whom I hadn't seen in ages, was with him.

I quickly wiped my tears and joked, "How does a busy guy like Mr. Turner have time to hang out with my dad?"

My mom nudged me and whispered, "Alex hasn't been here in a while. He must've come because he heard you were back."

I stood up from the couch, unsure whether to stay or go.

Alex looked me over and sighed.

"Miss Carter usually teases me when she sees me. Why are you so quiet today?"

"How can someone who's been spoiled since childhood endure such injustice after marriage and come back crying to Mom?"

"If you face any injustice, you should retaliate immediately. You weren't like this before!"

I could tell Alex had heard the rumors and knew my marriage was in trouble.

I saw concern in his eyes, but I didn't want him to see me like this.

I turned to leave, but Alex caught my arm.

"The conversation isn't over yet. Where do you think you're going?"

I felt tears welling up again. Alex relaxed his grip and said quickly, "Don't cry. I'm sorry, my tone wasn't right just now. I apologize."

Before he could finish, tears rolled down my cheeks.

Alex hurriedly wiped my tears and gently stroked my hair. "Why don't you hit me? You know I can't stand seeing you cry."

When I was upset as a child, Alex always comforted me like this.

I never expected that, as the CEO of Turner Corp, he would still offer me the same kindness we shared in our youth.

Alex and I were very close when we were kids. He was just three months older, but his maturity always impressed me.

He would declare to my friends that I was his sister and no one could bully me.

Of course, I bullied him a bit too, once, I even snatched a birthday gift from him that I wanted.

We had a fight over a limited-edition figurine, and though I scratched him, I ended up crying and apologizing. He comforted me despite being the one hurt.

After that, he always gave in to my whims. I thought he was scared I might hurt him again.

On my 18th birthday, he filled my car with gifts and hinted, "I don't just see you as a sister."

At the time, I didn't grasp his meaning and laughed at him for sending me a thousand paper cranes.

That day, Alex stayed for dinner, and we talked about a lot of things, until Derek called.

On the other end, Derek angrily demanded, "Lily, where are you? Don't you know there's a pregnant woman waiting for you at home?"