Chapter 93
Jessa played four pieces. She wanted to stop several times, but everyone was so enthusiastic - it was rare to meet such a popular performer.
After one piece, Jessa was ready to take a break. She put her violin back in its case, but the chorus of "one more!" from all directions made things awkward for her.
Levi and I were standing by a window not far from her.
I could see the displeasure on Levi's face. He still seemed to feel sorry for Jessa, pained to see her here pleasing others for Alaric's sake.
What should have been a beautiful gesture - Jessa playing violin for the birthday celebration - had suddenly turned sour, like she'd become just a prop for everyone's entertainment.
"Just play one more, everyone's really looking forward to it."
Alaric begged her. As a descendant of the Kingsley family, bringing a star like Jessa to the birthday party made him look good, and everyone welcomed her warmly.
"No, I'm tired. Besides, there's plenty going on at the party - it doesn't have to be me performing."
Jessa refused directly.
"But everyone likes you. If you don't play, I'll look bad."
Jessa was speechless. "I need to rest, okay? Plus, I'm playing such good pieces, and they're not even listening carefully - they just keep dancing. I'm not happy about it."
"As long as Grandpa's happy, that's what matters. Everyone's dancing around, and it makes Grandpa feel good, too."
Alaric kept insisting and even interacted with the crowd, showing he had ways to get Jessa to keep performing.
"I don't want to."
Jessa was getting annoyed. She held her stomach, like she wasn't feeling well.
"If you don't play, everyone won't have a good time, and if Grandpa's not happy, how will he give me money?" Alaric got anxious and lost his temper with Jessa.
"I came today purely to celebrate Grandpa's birthday. I'm not here for money."
Jessa pushed him away. "I'm going to rest, I'll come back later."
Alaric grabbed her arm. "Don't go. When Grandpa gives me money, I'll naturally share some with you. Don't you still have debts?"
"I..."
Jessa was torn. She didn't want to sink to this level - earning money by pleasing him.
"'I' what? If you don't play nicely, I won't give you a cent."
Alaric turned to smile at everyone and made a gesture for them to be patient.
The silence had gone on too long. Alaric's father couldn't stand it anymore. He stood on stage and began reading the birthday speech he'd written for Yosef, which got everyone excited again.
Meanwhile, Alaric was pulling Jessa outside, and they ran right into us.
"Levi..."
Jessa looked at Levi, her eyes full of grievance. Even I felt sorry for her. As women, we easily connect with each other's pain.
"Come with me, we need to talk."
Alaric dragged her, pulling her along.
Jessa kept looking back, quietly calling Levi's name. Was she asking him for help?
"Are you annoying or what? If you still like him, why did you say you'd be my girlfriend?"
Alaric completely lost his temper and nearly pushed Jessa to the ground.
Levi and I took a few steps closer, afraid he might hit her next.
"I've told you many times, we're completely innocent. Stop making trouble, okay?" Jessa straightened her clothes.
"You're innocent? Then why are you keeping photos of him?"
Alaric snatched her phone, entered the password, and opened her photo album. It was full of pictures of Jessa and Levi.
"Give it back!"
"You do it, but won't admit it? In all the time we've been together, have we ever taken a photo? What's your deal, sneaking looks at your photos with him right in front of me?"
Alaric threw the phone on the ground. Jessa crouched down painfully to pick it up.
"Mr. Morgan is right here. If you can't forget him, tell him now. I'll let you two be together - no need to be with me while thinking about him all day."
Jessa's tears dripped onto the floor. She looked up, staring hard at Alaric. She probably never expected her feelings to be exposed so brutally.
Everyone was absorbed in the new round of festivities, no one paying attention to us. At least no one else saw this - otherwise it would have been too embarrassing.
Jessa slowly stood up, lifting her head, trying not to cry.
"Sorry you had to see that."
I couldn't laugh at all. Seeing her in such a state, I should have been laughing, right? After all, she'd hurt me so much.
But right then, I actually felt an urge to hug her. Setting aside the past, women understand women better.
"Stop pretending. Mr. Morgan is an honest person. If you can't let him go, you two can be together. I can break up with you."
When feelings aren't deep, it's easy to talk about separation. Maybe Alaric was just playing around - in this relationship, Jessa was probably the one who tried harder.
Back then, Jessa probably just wanted to use his money. His family was indeed wealthy, but it turned out he wouldn't give her a cent. She probably hadn't spent much of his money during their time together.
"Levi, please help me."
Jessa asked Levi for help again. Maybe she just wanted to use Levi to get out of this situation temporarily. She'd seen Alaric's ugly side and wanted to break up with him.
"Ha, so you do have feelings for him. That's fine, we're all adults - just say it, and we can sort it out. I never wanted someone else's leftovers anyway. Returning to the original owner."
Alaric spoke carelessly, his words chilling to hear.
I saw Levi clench his fists, but he didn't say anything.
"I must have been blind. Compared to Levi, you're nothing. Get lost."
Jessa was provoked by him and lost control of her emotions.
"Ha, even if you say nice things, he might not want you. Don't you see Mr. Morgan isn't saying anything? I was just fooled by you. Stars are nothing special - pretty dirty actually."
Alaric's words were really cruel. He looked like a gentleman on the outside, but his heart was so dark.
I wanted to say something, but Levi stopped me.
"We're leaving."
Levi was going to leave. Wasn't he going to help Jessa? Even I thought Jessa didn't deserve this tonight - that Alaric was too awful.
I followed beside Levi, passing by Jessa. The despair in her eyes was deeply imprinted in my mind.
"Are you really not going to help her?"
I asked him quietly. His steps got faster and faster.
Levi didn't answer, like he was silently raging.
I could feel his anger, but he wasn't responding at all. Had he made up his mind not to get involved in anything related to Jessa anymore?
Actually, if he turned back now to help her, I wouldn't be angry. But this time he had no intention of going back at all...
I quietly followed behind him, trying to keep up with his pace.
Suddenly, he took my hand. He was still walking very fast. I didn't dare say anything, just let him pull me along, as if he might fly away if I let go.
In that moment, it seemed like all love was scattered like torn cotton, flying away into the night.
I couldn't understand Levi in this moment, couldn't tell if he loved me, too.