Chapter 222


    I shuddered as a surge of fear crept into my heart. Wrapping my arms tightly around Michael, I then


    murmured helplessly, “You''re the only person by my side now. The only one...” I feared that he would


    treat me just like how my parents did. I was in great fear—fearful of being given up by everyone else,


    just like my parents.


    I could feel Michael''s body tremble upon hearing my words. Instantaneously, he embraced me tightly,


    sending ripples of warmth that seemed to ease the uneasiness in my heart.


    “I will get this matter resolved.” Even if I was not sure what he was referring to, the firmness in his tone


    managed to calm me down in an instant. Apart from that, my confidence was boosted in a way.


    With him beside me, I did not feel like I was abandoned and all alone.


    Burying my face in Michael''s chest, I blurted out everything deep down in my heart all this while.


    “Michael, do you know that I have been leading a hectic life throughout these years? I''m both physically


    and emotionally exhausted. Apart from working hard every day, there seem to be endless issues at


    home for me to attend to. Life has been really stressful for me. I''m just yearning for a simple life that is


    less stressful. Is that considered wishful thinking that I shouldn''t have?”


    I only had a simple wish. Apart from the love and care from my parents, I wished to lead a peaceful and


    happy life with my family. Nevertheless, it was like a dream which was impossible to be fulfilled.


    “Anna, pull yourself together!” Michael furrowed his brows as he snapped at me. Besides empathy,


    there were flickers of rage in his eyes.


    “Do you think I still have the right to ask for more?” I smiled bitterly. Even though it was just a simple


    wish, I could not even assure if it would be a reality. Thus, I always reminded myself not to build


    castles in the air.


    “You''re worthy of something even better!” Michaelmented domineeringly as he looked at me firmly.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    At that, my heart skipped a beat. I was utterly touched at his words. After all, Natalie used to be the


    only one by my side all this while whenever I was down.


    That night, I never let go of Michael as I cried my heart out to vent my anger and distress. Surprisingly,


    he was also unusually patient with me and did not push me away in exasperation. As my tears trickled


    down my cheeks profusely, I drifted off into sleep.


    I woke up the next morning with a throbbing headache. Aside from that, I was feeling ufortable all


    over.


    Massaging my temples, my mind was aplete nk. When I came to my senses again, I racked my


    brain, trying to recall what happened the previous night. But because I was probably too drunk, I could


    hardly remember anything.


    “Well, well... You finally woke up. I thought you would sleep till this afternoon.” Michael''s mocking tone


    sounded abruptly from the side of the window.


    I turned in the direction of his voice. To my surprise, he was standing in front of the window, gazing at


    me. As he had his back to the sunlight, I could not really make out his expression from his silhouette.


    “W-Why are you still here? Are you not going to the office?” I looked at him and stammered sheepishly.


    “Have you forgotten how drunk you werest night? You hugged me and cried for hours till midnight.


    As a result, my entire body is aching now. Yet, right now, you still have the heart to urge me to go to


    work?” He raised his brows and strode toward me.


    I hugged himst night and cried for hours? Really?


    I tried hard to recall what had actually happened the night before. Hmm... it seems that he''s right...


    I can''t believe that I had cried and wailed in front of Michaelst night! My disheveled appearance


    must''ve scared him! Ugh... What an embarrassment!


    Meanwhile, Michael fixed his gaze on my face without uttering any words. Pin-drop silence ensued in


    the room, resulting in a tense atmosphere. Eventually, I mustered up my courage to break the silence


    and apologize to him awkwardly, “Um... I''m sorry. I didn''t mean it.”


    “I''ll settle the issue with Emma!” Michael paused and enunciated, “Live your own life! You don''t have to


    put yourself in a tight spot because of anyone, not even your parents!”


    He seldom talked to me about my family, and I understood that he was motivating me in a way. Deep


    down, I was grateful to him for his great concern.


    “Michael, thank you.” I looked into his eyes to express my sincerest gratitude. To me, he had


    undoubtedly kept me apanion during my loneliest and most helpless moments. I was thankful to


    him for everything. Even if I knew that I must try to be strong, I really loved the moment when he tried


    to protect me. That was when I could feel his great concern for me.


    Michael looked awkward when I thanked him sincerely. He shifted his gaze away from me as if he was


    trying to conceal his awkwardness. “Have a good rest today since it''s Saturday. I need to go out to take


    care of something.” After that, he strode out of the bedroom without hesitation.


    I had no idea what Michael was upied with on a Saturday. Anyway, I did not have any right to


    question him on that. Since I was still having a hangover headache, I grabbed the opportunity to get


    some sleep and rx.


    By the time I woke up again, it was already in the afternoon. I was awakened by the ringtone of my


    phone.


    I whipped out my phone beneath my pillow instantly. My brows knitted when I noticed that it was a call


    from my mom. I was pretty sure she was giving me the call to pester me into leaving Michael again.


    Without hesitation, I hung up the phone. I had had enough the night before and was not in the mood to


    hear any of her pestering words.


    Nheless, she was persistent this round. Not long after I hung up, my phone rang again. To my


    dismay, it was her again.


    I grimaced in frustration as I did not feel like entertaining her. Even so, I was aware that it would only


    make things worse if I refused to answer her call. She might head straight to my office to confront me


    later. By then, the rtionship between Michael and me would be revealed in broad daylight.


    The moment I answered the call, my mom''s bellow of anger sounded from the other end of the line.


    “Anna, how dare you hung up my call earlier. Do you still have any respect for me? Are you trying to


    give me a stroke?”


    My temples started to throb because of my mom''s high-pitched tone again. Thus, I had to bring the


    phone further away from my ear. Even if I could foresee her demeanor toward me after what happened


    yesterday, I could not resist but feel depressed and frustrated.


    “Mom, I''m busy at the moment. If you make this call just tosh out at me, I''ll hang up now.” Still


    enraged with what happened the night before, I answered coldly and was about to hang up.


    “What have you done? The woman named Emma has suddenly changed her mind. Anna, our one


    million is gone because of you! Damn it!” Before I could hang up, my mommbasted again in utter


    exasperation.


    I was too dumbfounded to speak. Has Emma really change her mind? Was Michael behind all this?


    He was apparently the only person who could let Emma change her mind. Again, I was touched by


    what the man had done for me. When I was in deep waters, he came to my rescue again and had the


    issue resolved.


    “I didn''t do anything, and I have no idea about it.” I ced the phone back to my ear and answered


    coldly.