Chapter 28: The Real Breakup

"Livia!" Angelo called out.

Livia stopped in her tracks, though she didn't turn around.

"Even temper tantrums should have their limits." Angelo was convinced she was just throwing a fit. He had already explained himself. What more could she wanted from him?

Livia took a deep, harsh breath, feeling increasingly pathetic and ridiculous.

In his eyes, she was just acting out to get more from him.

She was just being unreasonable.

He had humbled himself to appease her, and she should have been savvy enough to take the hint and back down.

In the past, it was the same. A few sweet nothings from him would calm her down, and she wouldn't hold a grudge.

Back then, she relished being cajoled by him because it was the only time she felt cared for and valued by him.

Now that she thought about it, it was just a mechanical routine — something that had to be done without understanding why. She didn't even know if he had ever been sincere.

Or was it just a case of appeasing her and then taking her to bed, returning everything back to the way it was before?

"I'm tired today, I’m going home to sleep,” Angelo said as he stepped forward, reaching for her hand to lead her home.

Livia stood her ground.

Angelo turned back, irritation creeping into his eyes.

Livia gently pulled her hand away. "Go back to your own home."

"What exactly do you want?" Angelo unbuttoned the top of his shirt, visibly upset.

Livia shook her head. "I don't want anything. I just think we both need some time to cool off. Think about it, what's the point of continuing this relationship?"

Angelo pursed his lips, staring at her with a cold silence that hinted at the storm brewing, making Livia feel uneasy inside.

He wasn't the type to get physical, but he had the ability to send a chill down her spine with just one look.

"You sure you don't want me coming up tonight?" The gravity in Angelo's voice had increased.

Livia's heart raced, thumping powerfully against her chest, undoubtedly ramping up the pressure.

She steeled herself and said firmly, "Yes."

Angelo looked at her for a long while. Then his lips twisted into a sneer.

The slamming of the door reverberated loudly, and Livia’s tense heart finally settled.

The engine roared, seemingly venting its owner's rage and dissatisfaction.

Peace and quiet returned to her ears at last, and Livia bent over, hands on her knees, gasping for breath, fully aware of what her rejection implied.

So, she had really broken up with the man she had loved for over three years.

That night, Livia slept soundly.

She should have been sobbing, restless like last night, but instead, she slept all the way until the alarm went off.

Livia remained unfazed by the buzz around her, continuing her routine of attending classes and living a normal life. When she wasn't teaching, she'd go out for coffee or shopping with her colleagues. When in high spirits, she'd whip up a meal at home. If not, she'd grab a bite outside before returning to her apartment. Weekends were reserved for quality time with her parents.

"Who sent you the roses? Is someone chasing you? Did you accept? What's he like? When can we meet him?" Matilde's inquisitiveness was as robust as ever.

Livia answered candidly, "He wasn't a good match, so I declined."

"How is he not suitable?" Matilde felt reassured knowing that Livia was seriously considering her future, her inner peace settling somewhat.

Livia, assisting with washing the vegetables, didn't show a trace of insincerity. "His family is too wealthy, he's too handsome, he drives cars worth millions, and he wears nothing but designer labels. Do you think he's my type?"

Matilde furrowed her brows at this. "He may be from a better-off family, but you still have to consider what kind of person he is."

"People with such good credentials naturally look for someone of equal standing. I'm just a teacher. Not only can I not even reach the threshold of such wealthy families, but even if I somehow stepped in, I would never run the house or have a say in anything—I’d always be deemed inferior. It might look glamorous on the surface, but the reality can be very tough," Livia shook her head.

Hearing this, Matilde sighed, unable to disagree. "What you're saying is true. Those TV shows all depict how difficult life is when marrying into a wealthy family. Those mothers-in-law are notoriously hard to deal with. And those female stars, look at them, earning a fortune and beautiful to boot, but how many of them are truly happy?"

Livia nodded emphatically. "Exactly. That's why I won't consider someone too outstanding."

"Well, it's just as well. Given our circumstances, we can't expect too much from others. As long as the person is decent, ambitious, and treats you well, that's enough. Marriage is about the compatibility of two people. As long as you think you're a good match, that's what matters." Matilde spoke earnestly, lowering her voice, "Marriage is a woman's lifelong commitment, like reincarnation. Marrying the right person means the latter part of your life won't be too hard. But a bad marriage can make life unbearable.

"Nowadays, young people, not like us, can divorce if things don't work out, or rush into marriage on a whim. Let me tell you something. You remember Amanda, right? She's just a few months younger than you. She got divorced."

That surprised Livia.

Amanda had been showing off her happy marriage on social media just a short while ago.

Matilde shook her head with a sigh. "Her daughter's only four, and now she's raising her alone. She's having a tough time."

Livia was taken aback by the news of Amanda's divorce.

“Mom, divorce is pretty common these days. Sometimes, issues only surface after you've been with someone for a long time, and deciding to divorce is just a way to prevent further mistakes and pain. You shouldn't gossip about these things with others. If word gets back to the people involved, it's not good,” Livia advised Matilde.

Matilde said, “But once you're married and have kids, why not think about the children and keep it going? Who do you think suffers the most after a divorce? It's the kids. Let me tell you, marriage should be taken seriously.”

“Mom, I have to disagree with you there. The most important thing is to be comfortable in your own life. If you're miserable every day, enduring it just for the sake of appearances and using the kids as an excuse to stay, won’t that just wear you out? Do parents really want their kids to live in pain and suffering every day?”

Livia didn’t really want to get married either, but parental pressure and keeping up with the Joneses had her considering marriage to Angelo.

It proved that not rushing into it was the right choice.

If she had really forced Angelo into marriage, they probably would have divorced multiple times by now.

“Livia,” Matilde stared at Livia, wide-eyed.

Livia had never spoken to her mother about this so seriously, but she couldn't hold back today. “Amanda is managing to live on her own with her child, which shows she’s always thought about her kid. Maybe the divorce was for the child’s sake. When two people can’t get along anymore, how long can they fake happiness? A loveless marriage can do more damage to a child than divorce.”

Matilde couldn’t win the argument with Livia but still disagreed stubbornly. “No matter what, it's better for biological parents to stay together. In our time, we quarreled and caused a fuss, too. Which family doesn't? Once you get through it, there’s less trouble.”

“Mom!” Livia was exasperated. “Let's not talk about this anymore. Anyway, there's one thing you're right about—marriage should be taken seriously. That's why I must make sure I'll be happy in the second half of my life before I marry.”

Matilde added, “Livia, don’t make excuses with me. Look at all the kids who grew up with you... most are married with children, and here you are without even a boyfriend.”

Knowing arguing was futile, Livia pulled out her phone and gave Matilde a forced smile. “I need to take this call, you carry on.”