I was utterly bewildered, wondering who was playing these cruel tricks on me as a series of calls regarding wedding ring orders and venue bookings came in., That was when it dawned on me that it wasn't just some sick joke. I demanded to know who was behind all this and finally realized how obsessed Conrad had become. He was the mastermind behind it all., I knew Conrad wouldn't engage in childish pranks or mock me for fun. Considering an even more disturbing possibility, I confronted him,

"Conrad, what on earth are you trying to pull? We broke up, and now, you are booking wedding dresses and rings. You made me sick!

",

"Don't make me out to be some petty, immature ex. You think I don't care about you? You question my love? Let's get married then. That should show you I only want you.

" Conrad's words only deepened my disappointment in him.,

"Conrad, do you think love is about putting a woman in a dress and slipping a ring on her finger? Do you still not get why I broke it off with you?

" I asked, frustrated., There was a pause from his side, and then, he said,

"Is it because of Haley?

",

"Yes!

" I admitted.

"And what are your plans for dealing with this 'obstacle'?

", Conrad fell silent before replying,

"I'll cut ties with her and get her to leave the company. Will that suffice?

", His tone was so reluctant.,

"And what, hide her away? Keep a mistress?

" I retorted sarcastically., That seemed to infuriate him.

"Felicia, enough is enough. How can you be so unreasonable? I told you, Haley is alone and pregnant. She's vulnerable. Can't you show some compassion?

" He was almost yelling., I held the phone away from my ear, not wanting his anger to burst my eardrums., Even so, I heard Conrad snap again,

"Felicia, you're a woman, too. What if it were you? Like when your parents died. If my family hadn't taken you in, how lost and hopeless would you have been?

", Did he say taken in? Those words stabbed me like a sharp knife to the heart. So, in his eyes, I was just a charity case, someone his family graciously provided shelter to.,

"So, all the kindness you showed me was just charity, right?

" My voice trembled., There was silence on the other end for seconds before he said,

"No, don't twist my words.

",

"Conrad, I don't need your charity. So, give your love and affection to whoever needs it now. Once, I was an orphan, pitiful and alone, and you offered me love out of pity. Now, Haley is the poor one. Go love her,

" I said, biting my lip, feeling cold as if drenched in ice water., Our love had soured, his affections diverted, and that was fine. The world changes every second, let alone human hearts. But to think his kindness had always been out of pity was unbearable.

"Felicia, you're being unreasonable. You know that's not what I mean,

" Conrad protested.,

"Conrad, what you mean doesn't matter anymore. Please leave me alone, will you?

" I was almost too tired to speak., This kind of post-breakup entanglement was utterly draining., But Conrad scoffed coldly,

"Felicia, you're mine. If I don't let go, you have no right to say no.

", His domineering words made one thing clear. He couldn't accept being the one rejected. But as I'd said, no matter how much he insisted, I wouldn't get back with him.,

"If making a fool of yourself makes you happy, be my guest,

" I hung up the phone., Just like before, the call drained all my energy. I was trembling, so weak that I didn't even notice Fanny coming up behind me., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.