Meiying was still on the floor when she heard the car pull up outside. She didn't move couldn't move even when she heard the gate click open and footsteps hurry up to the door.
The door burst open, and Yuhan rushed inside. He saw her huddled on the floor, tears streaming down her face, and his expression softened with pure concern. Without saying a word, he knelt down beside her and pulled her gently into his arms.
She buried her face in his chest, letting out all the pain and guilt she'd been holding in. He held her tight, his hand running up and down her back in slow, soothing circles.
"I know it hurts," he murmured into her hair. "I know you loved him. This isn't easy for you."
Meiying shook her head against his chest, her words muffled. "I didn't mean to hurt him. I never wanted to be this person."
"And you're not," Yuhan said firmly. "You're not a bad person for having feelings. You're not a bad person for being honest. Sometimes love leads us places we never expected, and it hurts people along the way. That doesn't make you cruel it makes you human."
They stayed like that for a long time, until Meiying's sobs quieted down and she could breathe normally again. Yuhan helped her up and led her to the couch, sitting beside her and keeping his arm wrapped around her.
"Do you want me to make you some tea?" he asked softly. "Or get you something to eat?"
Meiying shook her head. "No, I'm not hungry. I just… I just keep thinking about his face. The way he looked at me when I told him. He hated me, Yuhan. I've never seen him look at me like that before."
"I know," Yuhan said gently. "And I'm sorry you have to go through this. I wish there was a way I could take the pain away."
Meiying looked up at him then, her eyes red and swollen. "Do you think I'm a rebound? To you? Like… did you just pick me because you wanted something different from your life?"
Yuhan's expression turned serious. He cupped her face in his hands, making her look at him.
"Meiying, look at me. I've been thinking about you from the moment we met. When you walked into my office that day, asking me to cancel the marriage and sell your land instead you were so brave, so determined. You didn't care that I was supposed to be this powerful CEO. You just cared about your family. That's what drew me to you."
He paused, his thumb brushing her cheek. "I didn't plan any of this. I didn't set out to steal you away from him. But when I kissed you the first time… I knew. I knew there was something real between us. This isn't a rebound for me. This is… this is the real thing."
Meiying felt a small wave of warmth spread through her chest, pushing back some of the cold guilt. "But what about your family? Your father? He already didn't like the idea of the arranged marriage. What will he say when he finds out I'm not even from a wealthy family, and that I was engaged to someone else?"
Yuhan sighed, but he didn't look away. "My father, he has his ideas about what my life should be. He wants me to marry someone who can help the company, someone from a 'good family.' But I don't care about any of that. I care about you. And if he can't accept that, then that's his problem, not ours."
"But-"
"No 'buts,'" Yuhan said firmly. "I told you before I'm willing to fight for you. And that includes fighting for you with my family. You don't have to face this alone, Meiying. We'll do it together."
Just then, they heard the sound of a key turning in the lock. Yutang walked in, his school bag slung over his shoulder. He froze when he saw Yuhan sitting on the couch with his arm around Meiying.
"Yutang," Meiying said quickly, pulling away slightly. "I...we need to talk."
Yutang looked from her to Yuhan, his expression hardening. "I already know," he said quietly, dropping his bag on the floor. "I saw Weiliang leave. He looked like he'd been crying. Did you… did you break up with him?"
Meiying nodded, tears stinging her eyes again. "I'm sorry, Yutang. I never wanted to hurt any of you."
Yutang walked over and sat down in the chair across from them. He looked at Yuhan, his eyes full of anger. "Is this because of him? Did he make you do this?"
"No," Meiying said firmly. "He didn't make me do anything. This was my choice. I have feelings for him, Yutang. I tried to ignore them, but I couldn't."
Yutang looked at her, his face softening slightly when he saw how much she was hurting. "But Weiliang, he was good to you. He was good to us."
"I know he was," Meiying said, her voice breaking. "And I love him for everything he did for us. But love isn't always enough. Sometimes... sometimes your heart just wants something different."
Yuhan stood up then, looking at Yutang with respect. "Yutang, I know you're angry with me. And you have every right to be. Weiliang is a good man, and he cared about your sister a lot. But I want you to know I care about her too. More than you know. I would never do anything to hurt her, and I would never let anything happen to you or your family."
Yutang looked at him for a long time, his expression unreadable. Then he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just want her to be happy," he said quietly. "That's all I've ever wanted. If you make her happy… then I'll try to accept it."
Meiying felt a huge weight lift off her shoulders. She reached out and took Yutang's hand. "Thank you," she whispered. "That means more than you know."
Yuhan sat back down beside her, taking her other hand in his. "How about we order some food?" he suggested gently. "You haven't eaten all day, and Yutang must be hungry after school. We can talk more later, but right now… let's just be together as a family."
Meiying nodded, a small smile finally touching her lips. It was going to be hard. There would be days when she missed Weiliang, when she felt guilty for what she'd done. But sitting here with Yutang and Yuhan, she felt something she hadn't felt in a long time like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.