Lucas jolted, abruptly releasing Amelia at the piercing gaze of Oliver.
His thin lips pressed together briefly, "Uncle, I..."
Oliver grasped Amelia's wrist, ready to lead her down the mountain, when Amelia hesitated, "Wait, I still want to pray for my grandmother."
Oliver's eyes darkened, "Pray with him?"
Amelia, not wanting to involve Lucas, shook her head decisively, "I came alone and just happened to run into him here. You go down the mountain and wait for me, I'll be right there!"
With that, Amelia pushed Oliver away and ran up the stairs.
Oliver stood still, his vicious gaze sweeping towards Lucas, "I told you not to pester her, did you take my words as idle threats?"
Lucas paused, lowering his head, "Your nephew wouldn't dare."
"See that you don't."
Oliver wanted to settle accounts with Lucas further, but his phone rang. He answered it and strode down the mountain, leaving Lucas stunned in place.
He clenched his fists, internally acknowledging Amelia's importance.
After much thought, he still chased after Amelia.
Amelia frowned, annoyed that Lucas wouldn't heed advice.
"What do you want? I've told you, Lucas, I don't want it to get ugly, and I don't want you to get hurt."
Her earnest tone made Lucas truly feel that Amelia was serious about cutting ties with him.
Between Oliver and him, Amelia chose Oliver.
"Amelia, I don't want to give up, for you, I'm willing to become stronger to protect you."
"Why can't you take advice? Forget it, do as you please."
With that, Amelia walked ahead, ignoring whatever Lucas had to say or do behind her.
Lucas, undeterred, still harbored illusions despite Amelia's clear rejections.
It would be fine if he were an invisible person, but Lucas couldn't help but intrude.
Instead, he constantly circled around Amelia, asking about her comfort, one moment if she was hot, the next if she was thirsty.
Amelia remained silent throughout, which could be considered cold, fearing that any response would encourage Lucas to continue his relentless pursuit.
After some entanglement, she spoke impatiently:
"Lucas, stop this, really, I'm tired. Let's not keep entangling each other, okay? You need to understand, as long as Oliver is around, it's impossible for us. No, even without him, it's impossible."
Amelia thought this last sentence was heartlessly clear. She awaited Lucas's reaction.
Lucas's response was as expectedly silent for a moment, but he quickly recovered with remarkable resilience.
Amelia didn't understand why he wasted time on her. Her life was precarious, and she felt happiness wouldn't come her way.
Lucas's unwavering determination made Amelia somewhat dazed. She had fantasized about such an unreal scenario.
The dream of walking hand in hand with the one she loved into the marriage hall, having children, and having a happy family.
But such fantasies were brutally shattered six years ago by Oliver, coupled with Chloe's provocations. The once self-effacing Amelia was trampled into the mud.
It took her six years to climb out, and now, the soul within this body was unbreakable. She only wanted to protect her grandmother, the only person in the world who loved her steadfastly.
"Stop following me, or I'll report you for stalking."
"This mountain is a public tourist resource, and I'm also heading to the church halfway up the mountain to pray. I'll be right behind you."
With Lucas, Amelia always felt like her punches were landing on cotton.
She couldn't argue with this, and it didn't matter. Time would dilute everything; no fervent sincerity could withstand the test of prolonged indifference.
Lucas had always been very attentive to her, but Amelia's firm refusal was quite apparent, and eventually, it even took on a tinge of anger as she sought to drive him away.
Lucas turned a blind eye, wholeheartedly giving without regard for Amelia's cold responses.
The more he acted this way, the more guilt Amelia felt.
Lucas's kindness evoked memories for Amelia. In the past, his good treatment towards her was witnessed by their friends, herself, and her grandmother.
Everyone envied Amelia for having such a loving boyfriend, and Amelia had also felt very fortunate, knowing she was loved.
But the more she thought about it, the more guilt she felt, unable to face Lucas's affectionate eyes.
But she had no choice; without Oliver, she might have spent her life with Lucas.
Helplessness and guilt filled her heart, and before she knew it, they arrived at the church halfway up the mountain, tugging at each other.
Led by the pastor, Amelia stood before the statue of Jesus, eyes tightly closed, whispering her long-cherished wishes in her heart.
May my grandmother live to a ripe old age, in good health, and always be with me.
Lucas mimicked her, praying devoutly.
In his heart, he prayed, Lord, bless us to overcome all difficulties and achieve a happy union.
After the prayers, Lucas wanted to create more opportunities to be alone and suggested having a Church Supper.
"Amelia, it's dinner time. Having a Church Supper will show our sincerity to the Lord."
Lucas's eyes sparkled, his heart and mind full of Amelia, hoping she would agree to his request.
Amelia wanted to refuse, but seeing the expectant look in Lucas's eyes, she couldn't bear to. This is the last time, she told herself; after this, she would reject him unequivocally, without mercy.
"Okay, this is the last time, Lucas. After this, I hope we part ways amicably."
This statement had no effect; Lucas simply ignored Amelia's mention of it being the last time.
He was too innocent to compete with Oliver.
Lucas beamed, cherishing this hard-earned opportunity to be alone.
"Amelia, I'll pick out the cilantro you don't like."
He reached for Amelia's bowl, but just then, Amelia's phone rang.
The caller ID showed Oliver.
Lucas's private world with Amelia was interrupted, and his face darkened instantly, but he restrained himself from exploding.
He took Amelia's bowl and carefully picked out all the cilantro.
Amelia, knowing she couldn't stop Lucas once he had made up his mind, let him be and answered the phone herself.
"Where are you? Why haven't you come back yet?"
Oliver's cold voice came through the receiver, and Amelia didn't hide the truth.
"I came to the church to pray and had to climb the mountain, so it took a lot of time."
Lucas stayed silent, quietly doing his thing, and Amelia, looking at his pitiful appearance, felt a pang of guilt.
"Finish up and come back quickly. Do you need me to send someone to pick you up?"
"No, you carry on with your work. I have things to do here."
She hung up the phone, the call devoid of emotion.
Lucas saw Amelia put down her phone and spoke up.
"Amelia, I've picked out all the cilantro from your bowl. Remember? When we were abroad, you were a bit picky, and I always finished what you left behind."
Talking about the past, Lucas smiled at the corners of his eyes, a genuine smile.
"Amelia, let's elope with your grandmother to a foreign country, where my uncle's reach won't be so long."
Amelia was touched; even after being pushed away countless times, Lucas kept trying to get closer.
But considering the pros and cons, this was a bond between her and Oliver, and she couldn't let the kind-hearted Lucas get involved in this mess.