Farewell to Love and Hatred

It was the third month since my divorce from Charles Jones, and the early autumn breeze carried a chill. At the newsstand, the front-page photo stabbed at my eyes—Charles Jones in a sharp suit, standing beside Rebecca Xavier in a pristine wedding dress, the headline reading, "Famous Architect Charles Jones Marries Rising Designer Rebecca Xavier: A Celebrated Love Story Between Mentor and Protege." My phone vibrated. The caregiver sent a message: "Ms. Lynn, your mother's condition has worsened again. She keeps calling out Mr. Jones's name." Clutching the newspaper, I rushed to Charles's new villa. The wrought-iron gates were shut tight, and Rebecca's laughter drifted from the courtyard. "Charles Jones! Come out!" I slammed on the iron gate, my fingers turning red from the rust. Security guards closed in and twisted my arm behind my back. "Trespassing on private property!" someone shouted. "Where is Charles?" I stiffened my neck, my voice trembling, "His mother-in-law is dying. Tell him to get to the hospital!" A gap opened in the ornate gate, and Charles appeared in fine loungewear, his face unreadable. "Mia Lynn, have you caused enough trouble? We're already divorced. Your mother's situation is none of my concern." Tears welled up in my eyes as I said, "She's been thinking about you all this time. Can't you at least go see her?" Rebecca peeked out from behind him, linking her arm with his and said timidly, "Teacher Jones, please don't be angry. Maybe Ms. Lynn is just too upset." But her eyes were filled with defiance. Charles patted her hand, his gaze growing colder. "Rebecca and I just got married. We don't want to be disturbed." "If you keep causing trouble, don't blame me for being rude." "Rude?" I laughed through my tears, "Charles, be honest with yourself. How have I treated you all these years? How have I treated this family?" He frowned and waved his hand. "Security guard, take her away." "I'm not leaving!" I clung tightly to the railing. "If you don't go to the hospital with me today, I'll stay here forever!" In the struggle, my nails scratched the security guard's face. Soon, the sound of police sirens echoed. "Officer, it's her—breaking into a private residence and assaulting someone," the security guard said, pointing at me. As I was taken into the police car, I saw Charles Jones quietly comforting Rebecca Xavier, not even glancing back. The detention center was cold and damp. The caregiver sent a message: "Ms. Lynn, Mr. Jones didn't come. The elderly lady has slipped into unconsciousness." I called Charles Jones again and again, but all I got was the busy signal. The next day, after being discharged, I rushed to the hospital, where I heard crying coming from the ward. The caregiver, her eyes red, said, "The elderly lady passed away early this morning; she was calling Mr. Jones's name when she died." I called Charles, my voice hoarse: "Charles, my mother has passed away." After a few seconds of silence, Rebecca Xavier's sweet voice came through: "Teacher Jones, who is it? It's time for breakfast." "I know." Charles's voice was impatient: "Mia Lynn, the dead cannot come back. Please accept my condolences." I have something to take care of here; I'll hang up first. "Charles Jones! How can you be so cold-hearted!" I screamed, but all I got in response was a busy signal. In the days after the arrangements, Charles never showed up, while reporters swarmed the hospital entrance. "Ms. Lynn, are you deliberately stirring things up because you can't accept Mr. Jones marrying Ms. Xavier?" "There are rumors that you have a stubborn personality, and that's why Mr. Jones divorced you?" The flashbulbs dazzled me, and Charles and Rebecca's wedding photos were reproduced by major media outlets with headlines like 'A Genius Marries a Beauty.' I crouched in the corner, letting the rain soak my face. "Mia Lynn?" Mike walked over, holding an umbrella. "Charles... he's actually having a hard time too, but Rebecca has been keeping a close eye on him." "Having a hard time?" I sneered, "If he really was, he wouldn't be having breakfast with his new lover while my mother was dying." Mike sighed. "Some things might not be as you think." "Rebecca... Right, your grandmother is old and can't handle shock. I've already settled her into a suburban nursing home. Once you've finished with your mother's funeral arrangements, you can go see her." "Thank you so much." I stood up and walked into the rain. "From now on, Charles Jones and I owe each other nothing."