Chapter 200

I deleted and recomposed my reply many times. In the end, I only sent out one word, "Goodnight."

Matthew didn't send me more text messages. I stared at my phone screen until it automatically switched off.

While I couldn't return Matthew's feelings, hurting him was not my intention. Yet he was hurt both mentally and physically after what had happened.

His birthday fell on Sunday. Helen called and asked if I wanted to attend his birthday party. She told me that his childhood friends would be there to celebrate the occasion. None of his family would be there.

For a moment, I was enticed. I wanted to be there to apologize to him. Regardless of what his family had done to me, I couldn't deny that he had given me his heart.

But as I thought further, I was sure that Matthew had endured much of the grief in the past month. The answer I had given him that night must have plunged him into the depth of despair. Soon enough, he would begin healing and move on.

Attending his birthday party mi