The Substitute Bride

George reeked of guilt, but he broke the embarrassing silence eventually. "Now that you are here, I'm guessing it means that you want to work things out as soon as possible. We'd better sit down and think of a way to solve this. And I know that I am at fault, so I will do anything I can to compensate for my behavior," he offered.

"I came here because I have something to tell you, not because I want anything from you," Sula replied coldly, turning to George. "I am done with you. From now on, you mean nothing to me. We will be strangers if we meet each other again. Is that clear?"

"Are you sure about this?" George asked in a trembling voice, fixing his gaze on her. He was pleased and relieved to hear her decision, but he kept that to himself knowing full well how selfish he was to think that way.

"Yes." Sula nodded firmly. "I have mulled over our relationship in these past few days and I have realized how silly I was to waste so much of my time on you. I admit that I liked you very much, but now I only want to get rid of you from my life. I hope you will respect my wish and stay away from me."

George didn't utter a word. As he stared at her in a puzzled silence, Sula went on, "I will tell Aunt Donna that I am leaving. I have so many miserable memories in this place. I don't want to stay here any longer. I wish you and Miss Ye a lifetime of happiness."

Her heart bled as she spoke. Heartbroken as she was, she had to say those words against her will to honor her pride.

George listened to her patiently and finally let out a deep sigh. He said, "I didn't expect that you would be so understanding. I..."

He was too ashamed to continue speaking to her. 'I have to do this for our happiness. For Holley.'

"Actually, there is one other thing. I need your help," George said, overcoming his sense of guilt and shame.

He knew that he was being unbelievably cruel to Sula, but he had

Holley are getting married. It will do us no good if she found out about it."

At last, Sula yielded to her feelings and gave him a cold laugh. Transfixing her gaze on the man, she growled, "So, you wanted to see me because you hoped that I would put up an act in front of your girlfriend so that you and she can get married peacefully?"

George looked at the floor in embarrassment and replied, "Yes."

"What's more, you also want me to convince your mother to be nice to her, right?" she continued.

With a helpless weak smile, he rested his eyes on Sula and said, "I know that I am being very cruel to you. But I couldn't think of any other way. My mother treats me like an enemy now. But she listens to you. You are the only one who can make her change her mind. So you are the only one who can help me."

"You..." Sula glared at George and asked, "How could you be so shameless?"

He dodged her gaze and said, "Sula, I really love Holley. I know that I broke your heart. I was serious when I said that I would do anything for you. I only hope that you would do me this one favor. I will be grateful to you."

Sula looked at George's pitiful state and closed her eyes. With a painful expression, she accepted his request. "I will do it, if that's what you want."