Leanna-Chapter 243: [Epilogue] 1.2

[Emery’s POV] 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

[Epilogue] 1.2

". . ."

Yeah right! You just disclosed the summary of my private life! You . . . ! You . . . ! YOU ROTTEN MILK YOU!

"I do not have to tell you how much . . . she is worth in a month, right?" my mother added. "I wonder if you can meet her . . . wants in your current . . . situation."

Hah! Worth?! You mean how much I spent in a month?!

I clutched on Lance’s arm when he stiffened, and the expression on his face faltered.

"L-Lance, do not listen to her. Those are the things which made me happy when I had not met you yet. But now, you are the only thing that makes me happy!"

I paused and rethink. "W-well, I still have to take my bathes and vitamins . . . b-but I can do my hair and make-up . . . a-a-and I will cut the shopping and spa thing to three times a month or even less . . . a-a-and I will work hard to pay for myself."

I think I was not helping at the current situation when Lance snapped and shot me a glare before he gazed at my mother with a tight jaw.

I think I offended him when I said I would work and pay for myself. I knew his pride was important to him. He must not have liked it when I suggested paying for myself. I did not mean anything by it, though.

"What are you getting at . . . ma’am?" he questioned.

"Lance . . ." I was filled with pride and love when he remained polite towards my mother despite her belittling him since the very beginning. Even if other people treated him less, he remained polite and respectful.

Ah . . . my man does not disappoint.

My mother’s smile grew more extensive, and I knew Lance had fallen into her trap.

I let out a breath. Though I wish that you are not so gullible.

I could not exactly blame him. My mother was the Queen of manipulation. This was how she dominated my father’s heart all this time.

"As you know, Emery is a Jansen and owns ten percent of the company’s shares. It should be a given that whoever marries her will have a percent in her share as well. All of us expected that she would marry a businessman who knows the in and out of the market to continue the prosperity of the family’s business . . ."

My mother’s face turned serious as her voice when she spoke next.

"My condition is simple. If you wanted to marry in this family . . . then after you finish your degree in Artem, I want you to finish a business degree at Harvard and start working in the company. With this, you will set your future in stone with my daughter, and at the same time, you can provide Emery with the life she already has. Even much more."

I shot to my feet, and I was a hair close at tackling my own mother.

Lance loves to cook. And I will be damned if I take it away from him.

"Mother! That is enough! This is Lance’s life! You have no right to tell him what he should do!"

"The moment he slept with you, he already sealed his fate."

I could not retort to what she said, so I turned to Lance instead.

"Lance, do not listen to her. I do not need a life of luxury. I only need you in my life to be happy. In fact, I’m so happy and contented in my life right now more than ever. I’m even willing to abandon my name if I have to."

I ignored my mother’s glares and sharp sigh. I knew she was worried about my future and happiness, but I was angry at her at the moment, so I did not care if I hurt her feelings.

All my focus was on Lance, and I was beginning to worry when his face remained composed, no emotion whatsoever as he locked gaze with my mother.

Then after like an eternity, he closed his eyes for a second and smiled. "If that’s what it takes to be with your daughter . . . then, I will agree to your condition."

I froze. I could not think a word but, "L-Lance . . . you cannot––!"

"Em . . ."

Lance cut in and reached for my hand. He gently squeezed it before he stroked the back of my palm with his thumb.

"You’ve already sacrificed so much for me . . . I think it’s my turn to sacrifice this little thing for you."

He smiled and tilted his head a little, looking all cute. I would break into giggles right about now, but my lips refused to move from its downward curved.

"Besides . . . ," Lance added when I did not say anything, "your mother didn’t say I can no longer cook. I know I can no longer be a chef, but . . . if I can cook for you every day, then . . . that is enough."

"L-Lance . . . ," I choked.

I did not know what else to say. My mind was blank. I did not know how to communicate with him as I was torn in half. Happiness from his response and guilt for taking away what he loves to do.

I did not know what to do but cry. He stood from his seat and embraced me, which only made me cry harder.

"I know you will not disappoint, Lance Lee. As expected of my daughter, she always chooses the best."

Overflowing with elegance and poise, my mother went out of the house, leaving me crying behind in Lance’s hold.

----

"Let’s break up."

Lance raised his head from all the assignments he was doing and looked at me with an arched brow.

"What is this all about?" he asked.

We were inside his room on a weekend. I said I would come over because I have something to say to him. He was sitting on the floor with some papers and books scattered on top of a small table near him while I was in front of him, sitting on my legs –– all formal and tensed.

I composed myself.

You can do this, Emery! You practiced this for a week! Do not let your selfishness rob him of his love for something he wanted to do.

It was a week since that event with my mother, and I never talk to her since that day. I was angry at her till now. After I calmed down and thought things through, I concluded that I could not stomach to do this to him.

I love him.

I really, really love him.

But I did not want him trapped in a life he did not wish. I would welcome the pain than see him suffer every day because of me.

I even considered disowning myself, but I knew I would only bring him harm.

I knew my family. Though my grandfather loves Leanna Lee like his own granddaughter and would be forgiving towards our situation, my mother and father, however, would not take it lightly. I was scared that something would happen to Lance because of it. So the only solution I could think of –– was to break up with him.

I did not want to . . . but I did not have any options left.

"I-I-I-I . . ." I fumbled my fingers and bit my lips to hold back a sob. I controlled my expression to look composed even though my inner self was in turmoil.