Chapter 4

I also followed Ryan after he ruturned from abroad. He spent every day hanging out in nightclubs with his friends, with the sole purpose of finding girls who resembled Grace. Grace had long black hair and liked to wear a white T-shirt and jeans. On that day, I deliberately dressed up as a simple college student, with no makeup and a backpack, and walked into their private room. After scanning the room, I pretended to be flustered. "Sorry, sorry, I went to the wrong place," I bowed apologetically. Then I pretended to answer a phone call. "Hello, aren't you guys in room 336? Why is no one here?" I went to the adjacent private room. It was where I and the person I hired were waiting. Three hours later, I walked out of that KTV. I waited for a car downstairs, and a Benz G-Class honked at me - it was Ryan Johnson. Finally, he took the bait.Before I had plastic surgery, I deliberately appeared in front of Ryan several times, hoping to make him fearful. But his reaction made me despair again. He didn't have the slightest idea who I was. Later, I learned that Ryan's mother wanted him to be a complete "outsider" in this case. At that time, Ryan knew nothing about the progress of the case, including what happened later. He only knew that his all-powerful mother had once again taken care of it for him. He glanced at me and Nathan at that time, but Nathan and I were covered in blood, so he could barely see our faces.Later on, my plastic surgery was only minor adjustments. However, I studied Grace's words and deeds, and imitated her for almost half a year. When I finally saw Ryan face to face, I was still stunned for a moment. Before that, I already knew that he looked a lot like Nathan, but I didn't expect it to be so similar. What a coincidence that has made me lose my words. We were each other's substitutes, testing each other. I was cautious and shameless, just to find evidence of the night when he hit someone while driving by his side. Fortunately, I had some gains. I didn't know why he still kept the surveillance video of that night. On that night, Ryan was sent back by his friends at two o'clock in the mid-night. He sat in the hall and stared blankly until dawn. This surveillance video was enough to show that Ryan's so-called alibi that day was fabricated.I left the hospital and went back to my home. In my room, the blackboard was covered in pictures and clues I had gathered about Ryan, while on the opposite wall was a memorial photo of Nathan. "Nathan, I'm back, " I lit the incense again and placed it in the holder. I wiped off the dust with my sleeve. "Nathan," I sniffled, pressing my forehead against the photo, "I'm sorry I haven't come to see you for so long." "I know you would be angry with me for going to find Ryan," I spoke to the photos. "But I can't think about that anymore. I have to send him to hell and he must pay the price." "He must go to jail, and he must kneel in front of your memorial photo, kowtowing again and again to ask for forgiveness," I continued. "Why is someone like him, who has done such bad things, still able to live a good life?" I questioned. "His entire life is only worthy of love that he cannot have, and of deception and betrayal. I want him to spend the rest of his life atoning for his sins."Ryan was indulged by his family's power and became uncontrollable. In fact, he was just a pitiful person who lacked love. He spent his days and nights searching for substitutes who looked like Grace, just to satisfy his psychological need for love. The reason why Grace left him was also because he lost interest in her shortly after he had successfully pursued her. His long-term coldness made it unbearable for Grace and she went abroad. In fact, Ryan was just in a power struggle with his mother. He wanted to break free from his mother's shackles but couldn't find a way to resist. In the end, he simply didn't understand love and how to love someone. During my stay at his house, he brought different girls back every day. They didn't stay for long and he didn't even have sex with them. He was like a mischievous child who was fond of childish games. What a pitiful and pathetic man. So when I was hospitalized for allergies and he was willing to come back and take care of me, I won the bet. I bet he had humanity. Once a villain gains a conscience, he or she is destined to be tormented day and night by that tiny shred of goodwill. My phone kept ringing, it was from Ryan. And there were many messages. "Charlotte, come back to me." "Charlotte, why did you leave? Did I agree to break up?" "Do you want to break up? Okay, let's talk face to face." "Charlotte, can we stop playing around?" "Are you really angry? Okay, I apologize, is that okay?" I laughed bitterly, feeling sorrowful. Nathan, I finally found this villain's weakness. But it's so disgusting that I was that weakness.So I intentionally ignored Ryan for many days. I didn't answer calls, didn't reply to messages, pretended to disappear. When he showed up at my workplace, I switched jobs. When he tried to find out where I lived, I moved. I was playing with him. I intentionally got in touch with another boy and went with him to a shop run by Ryan's friend. Even though Ryan wasn't there, I guessed that as soon as I entered the nightclub, his friend would inform him of my whereabouts. The boy was a student I found from film university, with good acting skills and tall stature, like an idol. We sat together with a group of people playing truth or dare. The boy lost and chose truth. Then I saw a few familiar figures. "Choose dare," I leaned over and whispered in his ear, "I'll give you more money." "Right now. Kiss my face," I said. The boy hesitated, but he still had some professional ethics. He blushed and was about to lean over to kiss me. Suddenly, a wine bottle smashed onto the table, and we were all stunned. The boy, not knowing what was happening, instinctively protected me. Ryan and his friends stood there. His face was expressionless as he stared at the boy's hand that was protecting me. "You want to break up because you already have a new man?" said Ryan, chuckling. "What nonsense are you talking about?" said the boy. "Today is Charlotte's birthday, and we're all here to celebrate with her." Ryan crouched down beside me. "Is it your birthday today?" he asked. I nodded. "Why didn't you tell me?" asked Ryan. "I did, but you didn't remember," I replied with a smile. The boy wanted to add fuel to the fire, but Ryan's eyes swept over him, and there was a fierce look in his eyes. Ryan smiled a bit but his heart was cold. "I'll give you two seconds. Get lost." said Ryan.I patted the boy's shoulder, signaling him to leave first. After he left, Ryan's friend asked everyone to leave. Ryan poured himself a glass of wine and took a sip, seeming to be thinking about what to say. "Charlotte," he said, looking at me with seriousness in his eyes, "Regarding the question you asked me in the hospital that day, I want to answer you again." "If you suddenly disappear from my life," he continued, "I would feel sad and frustrated." He ran his hand through his hair. "It seems like I've already gotten used to having you by my side." "Ryan, you're just used to me," I smiled and said softly. "You would still feel the same if I were a nanny." I picked up my bag and stood up to leave. "Charlotte!" said Ryan, suddenly grabbing my arm. I looked down at him. "It's not just a habit," said Ryan seriously, looking up at me. "I really miss you. In the past few days, every time I closed my eyes, I saw the look on your face when you said you wanted to break up." Nathan, could you believe how shameless he was?"But Ryan, I know you too well," I said, touching his face. "You're like a child. Once you get a toy, you won't treasure it anymore." "I really can't stand that feeling of insecurity," I sighed. He hugged me tightly, as if trying to merge me into his body. "Trust me," he promised, "I won't be a jerk like before. Let's be together in the future." It seemed like he was not just comforting me, but also comforting himself. He whispered softly and patiently, nothing like the jerk Ryan from before. "It's your birthday today, what gift do you want?" he asked me, "I have a wish," I replied. "You name it, there's nothing that I, Ryan, can't get for you," he said, confidently, I smiled and didn't answer, only saying that I would tell him the wish later.Ryan drove me to the beach. He got out of the car first and opened the door for me. As soon as I stepped out of the car, there was a deafening sound of fireworks exploding. The colorful fireworks almost illuminated the entire night sky. Ryan's friends ran over and cheered. It was so romantic, and it seemed like he really had fallen in love with me. I looked up at the night sky as fireworks displayed countless shapes and colors. The flames went from brightness to darkness in the pupils of people's eyes. The people around me looked at me with envy. I remembered the time I came to the beach with Nathan. We only had sparklers, no audience, no fireworks. We walked along the coast and chatted. The night wind was strong, and Nathan took off his jacket and wrapped it around me. Suddenly, he made a sound and took something out of his pocket. I curiously leaned over to take a look. "Claire, will you marry me?" he opened his palm and said. It was a diamond ring. I was so excited that I jumped up and down in place and put it on without waiting for him to take it off. It was just the right size, not too big or too small. I loved it.Ryan also bought a ring. Amidst the cheers of his friends, he opened the ring box. It was a pink diamond, as big as a pigeon egg. The pink light was shimmering and beautiful. "From today on, Charlotte, we start anew," he put the ring on my finger and said. "I will make up for all the harm I caused you in the past. I am willing to learn how to be a good boyfriend for you." We hugged under the dazzling fireworks that amazed everyone in the audience. They thought I was moved to tears because Ryan had turned back from the wrong path. But in fact, I was crying because Ryan's death was imminent. It was a feeling of overwhelming joy and tears. It was simply too wonderful. The fireworks display lasted for two hours. Ryan never hesitated to spend money in this regard. He lived a life of indulgence and never got involved in any trouble. He always knew how to easily grasp the most sensitive emotions of girls. But I have already loved the best man in the world. I have seen the most beautiful scenery with him. I have heard the most sincere and touching words of love. Ryan's tricks could not stir any waves in my heart.We were enjoying the sea breeze together. Ryan took out a cigarette and lit it up, but when he saw me frowning, he pressed it into the sand. "You can smoke, it's okay," I said. "I quit," he replied. "So soon?" I asked, couldn't help laughing. "I can quit anything you don't like," said Ryan, as he held my hand and kissed it. He imitated my posture and sat on the ground, but he looked awkward with his hands braced on his sides. "Actually, I got angry at you before because I didn't believe you," said Ryan. "I never thought someone could love me so unconditionally. With my family background and the people I associate with, they all came to me for money." He stretched lazily. "So I thought you weren't being real, including our previous breakup. I always thought you had an ulterior motive." I looked down at the waves lapping against the shore and couldn't help but smile. I never thought that I could act so well. It turns out that you can really pretend to love someone.After making up with Ryan, he started bringing me with him wherever he went, even to events that I didn't want to attend. He became even more clingy. He propped himself up on his chin and watched me sleep when he woke up in the morning. He also made breakfast for us after I woke up, even if it was something as simple as fried eggs, which was still challenging for him. One time, I woke up to the smell of smoke and rushed to the kitchen without even putting on my shoes to see what was going on. It turned out that he was in the kitchen, and it was filled with smoke. With a frown on his face, he poured out two lumps of charcoal from the pan and folded his arms, pondering which step went wrong. He turned around only after hearing me laugh. He then walked over and lifted me onto the table, taking off his own shoes and putting them on my feet. "Let me do it instead," I laughed and said. "No," he rufused, "Gabriel just boasted to me about making breakfast for his girlfriend. You should have what others have."Half a month later, one of Ryan's friends hosted a yacht party and we all went on board. One of Ryan's ex-girlfriends was also there. They were having a party on the first floor while the second floor was less crowded, so I went up there for some fresh air. Ryan's ex-girlfriend's name was Natalie, and she had a very outgoing and talkative personality. She came up to change into her swimsuit and started chatting with me. "Do you know that people in our circle are all jealous of you now?" she asked. "Why?" I asked, too. She sat down and started to touch up her makeup. "Because that's Ryan, the playboy, and he actually settled down with you," she answered. "You are so lucky." I just smiled and didn't know how to respond. "To be honest," she said, "when I went to his house with Ryan before and saw you, I had a feeling." "What kind of feeling?" I asked. "I just felt like you were the one," she said while applying moisturizer to her face. "As a woman, I have a sixth sens. I was sure he was thinking about you even when he was distracted on the road or checking his phone while we were all out playing.""He loved to tease me," I said, biting my straw while drinking juice. "Men are always saying one thing and meaning another," said Natalie as she started to brush her eyelashes. "Anyway, you're really lucky. Those girls who know that Ryan is loyal to you are so jealous." After she finished her makeup, we went to the deck to get some fresh air. "I envy you because you married into a wealthy family and are living the easy life," she said and shook her curly hair. "A man like Ryan, once he's decided to be with you, he'll lift you up to the paradise." Footsteps came from the stairs. It must be Ryan. I stepped back to the railing, feeling the sea breeze sting my face. Natalie reminded me to be careful not to fall. "Does he really love me?" I asked her. "I'm still not sure." I held Natalie's arm and smiled at her. "Why don't you help me out?" I asked her. "Help me confirm how much he really loves me." Accompanied by a scream, I leaned back. Natalie reached out to pull me but failed. Suddenly, I was falling, plummeting. I saw the expression on Ryan's face as I fell, . I felt satisfied.Ryan couldn't swim. I was a little surprised to see him jump straight down without hesitation. He was pulled up by his friends. After the rescuers brought me up, I was still unconscious. Ryan gave me artificial respiration. "Charlotte, wake up for me......"someone called me in the haze. Was it Nathan? No, it was that bastard Ryan. I sat up suddenly and coughed up a puddle of water. Ryan was kneeling beside me, his eyes were red. Was he crying?