Chapter 342: Won’t Love Her So Much Anymore

Anne Sutton looked at him, clearly provoking him on purpose!

Nathan Fawcett looked at her. "Don’t push me. I’m tired."

Anne Sutton scooted closer and wrapped her arms around him. "I knew you were upset today, but I didn’t realize you were *this* upset."

"It’s nothing," Nathan Fawcett said. "I just feel like I’m finally seeing things for what they are. I guess I was just too naive."

"Seeing what for what they are?" Anne Sutton asked, looking at him.

Nathan Fawcett said, "In your eyes, and in Caleb Summers’s, I’m just a fool, aren’t I?"

Hearing this, Anne Sutton replied, "I just don’t think anyone should give up absolutely everything for love. That kind of thing only happens on TV, and it’s foolish. Nathan, it’s truly foolish! Look at my mother. She was that kind of person, and look at the end she came to. I know everything you’re doing comes from your feelings for me, but... it’s unnecessary! Love should be rational. That goes for you as much as it does for me."

Nathan Fawcett said, "So I’ll restrain myself from now on. Anne Sutton, I won’t love you the way I did before."

"..." His last words made Anne’s heart sink.

She looked at Nathan Fawcett, a sudden, sharp pang in her chest, as if she’d been pricked by a needle.

’So, that’s why he’s been so cold and distant all evening.’

Anne Sutton looked at him and forced a smile. "It’s fine, Nathan. This is for the best. You have to love yourself before you can love anyone else. Since you don’t seem to get that, I don’t mind telling you."

’I want us both to be people who put ourselves first.’

Anne Sutton leaned against him, wrapping her arms around him.

They had grown much closer since she’d moved in with him.

Besides, they hadn’t seen each other in days, and just being with him made her happy.

He was sulking now and didn’t want to talk to her, but that was okay.

’After all, we’ll keep living together because of Ian.’

Since Nathan Fawcett had gone to bed so early, he woke up early as well.

He opened his eyes and glanced at Anne Sutton lying beside him. His first instinct was to kiss her, just like he did every morning. But then he remembered her words from the night before. To avoid becoming the person she seemed to despise, he threw back the covers and got out of bed.

He got dressed and left.

It was still early, and the roads were nearly empty as Nathan Fawcett drove home.

When he arrived, the butler was surprised to see him. "Family Head, you’ve returned so early?"

"Is my mother up yet?"

The butler nodded. "Yes, she is."

Nathan Fawcett walked inside and saw Anna Linden sitting and drinking coffee. He approached her. "Mom."

Anna Linden looked up, giving him a cool glance. "What are you doing here?"

’And so early? He gave me a scare.’

Nathan Fawcett said, "I was wrong about yesterday. I didn’t know you were just going to have dinner. I thought..."

Anna Linden looked at him. "So that’s the kind of awful woman you think your mother is?"

Nathan Fawcett fell silent for a moment before replying, "I just thought you disliked Anne Sutton, so..."

Anna Linden said to Nathan Fawcett, "It’s fine. It’s in the past, and I’m not as angry anymore. Ultimately, it’s my own fault that my son thinks of me that way. Nathan, your mother used to be a very gentle person."

Hearing his mother’s words, Nathan Fawcett’s eyes darkened. He had always been one to remember things from a young age. Even though his parents had divorced when he was little, he still had memories of his mother.

The mother in his memories was so warm...

Nathan Fawcett nodded. "I know."

Anna Linden continued, "It was your father who ruined me and made me this way. I couldn’t stand seeing you and Anne Sutton happy together because I don’t believe true love exists. The two of you aren’t a good match, which is why I hoped you would find a more suitable woman."

Hearing this, Nathan Fawcett looked at his mother. "Actually, I think you’re right. The problem is me."

’I was too naive! I thought love was this grand, amazing thing! Where can you find that kind of grand love in this world? Even family ties are unreliable. How could you expect someone you’re not even related to to love you unconditionally?’

Anna Linden looked at Nathan Fawcett and said, "I discussed things with Mrs. Sutton last night. Actually, it wouldn’t be so bad if you two wanted to be together."

Nathan Fawcett was stunned by his mother’s words.

Anna Linden said, "If you love her, then be with her. You can even marry her if you want. Just let me know if you need anything from me."

Nathan Fawcett stared at his mother, not expecting such a complete turnaround. ’Is this because of Mrs. Sutton?’

Nathan Fawcett lowered his head. "Thanks, Mom."

Anna Linden said, "But you don’t seem very happy about it."

Nathan Fawcett said, "I don’t want to marry Anne Sutton anymore."

Anna Linden was taken aback. ’Well, now. Wasn’t he the one who was hell-bent on marrying her before? And now he’s backing out!’

Anna Linden asked, "Why?"

Nathan Fawcett let out a cold laugh. "I just feel like I’ve been a fool. Maybe love really is unreliable. Everyone’s selfish."

’Since I don’t hold any special place in her heart, why should I care so much about what she wants? Why should I go against everyone just to give her a wedding? She’s the one who doesn’t want it! She looks down on my love. I can’t be bothered to set myself up for more disappointment.’

Seeing Nathan Fawcett in this state, Anna Linden instantly understood: he’d had a fight with Anne Sutton.

’Well, this is... quite something. I don’t even know what to say.’

Anna Linden wasn’t sure if she should try to talk him out of it.

’After all, I’ve always been against it.’

Anna Linden asked, "So, are you still going to the hospital?"

Nathan Fawcett said, "I’ll go."

Today was his scheduled day for a check-up at the hospital.

Anna Linden said, "Alright, then. It’s your decision. Just as long as you don’t regret it."

Hearing his mother’s words, Nathan Fawcett nodded.

That morning, Anne Sutton ran into Anna Linden when she returned to the hospital.

She had come to find Anna Linden to submit her training reports from the past few days.

It was a required assignment.

Anne Sutton had already finished writing it.

Anna Linden accepted them. Just as Anne was about to leave, she heard Anna Linden ask, "Did you two have a fight?"

Hearing this, Anne looked at Anna Linden. "We didn’t?"

Anna Linden gazed at Anne. "My son is truly head over heels for you."

Hearing this, Anne sighed in resignation. "I already talked to him. I told him not to fight with you or do anything to make you unhappy. After all, you can’t be at odds with money, can you?"

"..." Anna Linden’s lips twitched. "You actually said that to him?"

Anne said, "I don’t want him to end up with nothing because of me."

"I don’t know what to say to you." Logically, she should have been happy that their relationship was running into the exact problems she’d predicted.

But thinking of how Nathan Fawcett looked when he came to see her that morning, Anna Linden couldn’t feel happy at all.

He had looked like a defeated lion.

He used to light up at the mere mention of Anne’s name, but now, it seemed that joy was gone for good.

Anne said, "Well, I’ll head out first. I haven’t been to the hospital in a few days, so I have a lot to catch up on."