She Who Sees Me as a Hypothetical Enemy

It happened suddenly, leaving everyone stunned. My parents and Charles Lisbon rushed over to wipe the sticky orange juice off my clothes while I looked at the angry child quietly, still in shock. He was only five years old, but he looked like his mother. He was an adorable child, but at that moment, his eyes were full of anger. He was like a knight fighting for justice.Selene Hecks, Charles' cousin, came over while pulling him along and said lightly, "Georgie, this isn't your dad; he's your uncle." She dragged him away without even a word of criticism or blame.Mom was furious and shouted at her, "Stop! Apologize to my daughter! Is this how you discipline your child?!"Selene was indifferent, and a frown married her face. She acted as if we were making trouble for no reason."He's still a child. What does he know?""Are you the same, then?" I asked back in a deep voice, my anger ignited as well.My boyfriend's parents had also started with their chiding. They were not trying t

I looked at Selene in surprise, unable to believe she was teaching her child. No wonder Georgie had started to dislike me. It seemed that this whole family was planning to drain Charles dry, like a bunch of vampires.Before I could say anything, Charles' mother called me over. "Celia, Selene, come eat!"At the dinner table, Charles' mother kept serving me food and apologizing profusely.Finally, she said, "You two have been together for so many years, and everyone supports your relationship. Don't let something so small affect your feelings for each other."That was the final blow. I had no choice but to smile and say, "Don't worry, Charles and I have always had a good relationship."Beside us, Georgie nudged Charles and mumbled, "Uncle, I want the toy from the TV.""Okay, okay, I'll buy it for you," Charles said gently."Uncle, once you get married to Aunt Celia, will you not want me and my mom anymore?"The entire table went silent. I said nothing and just stared at Charles.

After walking out of that house, I still had to continue living my life.From that day onward, Charles would message me almost every day. His messages were all about how he could not let go of this relationship and how he hoped I would reconsider. Sometimes, after working late, he would even drive to the neighborhood and wait downstairs for me. I never softened.Whenever people asked me about the progress of our wedding preparations, I would casually say, "We've broken up."Everyone was surprised, but no one expressed their pity. Instead, they wished me the best in starting a new life. It turned out that the reality I once thought was too difficult to face was not as scary when I actually confronted it.One weekend, Charles asked to meet again. This time, instead of pretending to have missed his message, I agreed to meet him. Some things needed to be said face-to-face.As soon as he saw me, he hurriedly embraced me as he repeatedly apologized. I believed his tears to be sincere at