Bye, My Irresistible Love

Helen's POV:

I remained holed up in the meeting room till all my colleagues left.I was clueless about where to go.Perhaps I should book a room in a hotel for a few days.I needed to hide my red swollen cheek from George.I thought the office was deserted, but when I stepped out, I found Phil still sitting at his desk, busy as usual.

He had obviously remained behind out of concern for me.He looked up at me when I finally came out of the meeting room, turned off the computer, and approached me.

"Where are you going? I'll drop you off." Phil was always such a caring and considerate man.I was greatly touched by his compassion so I gave him the name of the hotel I planned to stay at.

"Okay! Let's go." Phil picked up the car keys and we walked to the garage.

He was so understanding that he didn't ask about the unpleasant incident involving George's mother earlier.

After entering the elevator, Phil suggested, "Helen, instead of going to the hotel now, may I suggest that we pop in at my home? You can visit with my mother for a bit.She hasn't seen you in a while and really misses you."

"Thank you, but I'd rather not.I'm afraid the sight of my swollen face will give rise to too many questions." I had finally managed to calm down after spending hours alone in the meeting room.

"Okay."

Phil didn't insist and opened the door for me like a true gentleman.I fixed my gaze out of the window as we traveled to the hotel.I was in a stupor and my heart felt like a deep, dark, bottomless pit.

It was not until Phil called my name that I returned to the present.

"Helen, your phone is ringing.Answer it."

Actually my phone had been ringing for quite a while but I really didn't hear it.My mind was so far away.

When I saw George's name pop up on the screen, I was hesitant to answer it.

Finally, I took his call.

"I'll give you one more chance.When will you come back?"

George's voice was sad but firm.I couldn't hold back any longer and I shed bitter tears.I felt so aggrieved by the incident that I almost choked on my heavy sobs.

"I don't want to come home tonight." I couldn't let him see his mother's handiwork on my face.

deeply saddened by the manner in which his mother had treated

that his mother had slapped me so hard, there was no telling what he would do.I was not afraid

sitting close enough for him

the car behind us is

rearview mirror and saw

pain in my heart began to slowly ease like a ray of sunlight passing through the

accelerated and caught up with us.He made a sharp turn and stopped in

time to

jerked forward and then

wearing my seat belt.I looked out and realized that my mind was

his car and strode towards

and gestured to

belt obediently and got off the

horror in his eyes.He held my face in his hands and stared at me.He then asked with much angst, "What happened to

then did I recall the tight slap.I

okay.It doesn't

mother do

accept our marriage." I quickly recounted to him what

shared with him.He tried to touch my cheek but then quickly withdrew his hand for fear of hurting me.He asked worriedly, "Does it still

it's much

to slap me, I could bear it because I have a high threshold for pain.But I was very sad.I knew that my marriage with George would be received with objection, but I never expected to be assaulted by

glared at me as if she were the wolf and I was little

lips, took my hand, and helped me back

to Phil, "Mr.Mason, please do me a favor and drop Helen off at home."I sensed that

"Don't worry.Go home and wait for

you going back to your

too much.I'll be back

sensibly and peacefully with

at

George's POV:

the way I tried to communicate with my parents backfired.I had talked to