Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Chapter 257

After entering university, I juggled both studying and part-time jobs on the side. By then, A City was thriving and my living conditions gradually improved. The school set up scholarships for students with financial difficulties. I didn't need much money for myself, so I sent all of it back home, which helped improve my family's situation.

However, that year, my mother passed away, as her health deteriorated due to years of overworking. From then on, I had no family left back home. In my junior year, I started an internship at the Fantasy Group; your grandparents' company, where I met your mother. She was my age, and in her third year of college. Funnily enough, we were at the same school, in the same college, just different majors.

I knew she had a soft spot for me, but as you know, I had nothing to my name back then, so I pretended to be clueless about her feelings. On the other hand, I had a childhood sweetheart, Shirley, back home.

When your mother realized I wasn't interested, she dropped the subject. She even saw through my avoidance and had an honest chat with me, telling me to focus on my work at the company. If I performed well, I could stay after graduation. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Before she left, she told me, "Being poor is not a disgrace, but it's no honor either."

That really hit me. Took me a while to snap out of it. I didn't expect her to see right through me. I was indeed feeling inferior.

How inferior? So inferior that I always associated myself with the poor. Whenever someone mentioned the poor, I felt like they were talking about me. I resented it, but I also knew it was a reality I had to face. I was indeed poor.

Back then, I was desperate to succeed, to stand out, to shake off the label of being poor.

My dear Izzy, you've never been through it. You will never understand the feeling of helplessness and powerlessness.

Ines felt a sting in her eyes. She rubbed them hard until she could see clearly before continuing to read.

After graduation, I stayed with the Fantasy Group. But in a big company like this, fresh graduates like me were a dime a dozen. Many of them were more worldly than I was. I struggled on my own in the company for two years, but I was always just a small fry.

Shirley's life was going from bad to worse, so I brought her to live with me. We started cohabiting. But because she didn't have a degree, it was hard for her to find a job in this city. I didn't allow her to work in hotels or bars, so she stayed at home. Initially, we were happy, but over time, conflicts arose more frequently over small things. Our home, which should've been a place for me to relax and rest, gradually became a place I didn't want to return to. I felt this couldn't continue, so I had a serious talk with her. She decided to return home first and would come back when my living situation improved.

I accepted this arrangement. I remember that day was the day of my promotion and raise. I wanted to share this good news with her, only to find out she had secretly married a man in town without giving me any explanation.

I was devastated then, but my pride made me not go back to her for an explanation. Instead, I just worked harder.

Your mother re-entered my life at this time. She was beautiful and smart, with remarkable business acumen. After graduation, she started learning from your grandfather. She began to notice me.

Sometimes we would go out to eat together. I accidentally mentioned my breakup with Shirley once, and she didn't say anything, just ordered a bottle of wine for me and drank with me.

Because of her, I caught your grandfather's attention. He thought I was down-to-earth, so he gave me a different job. The work was hard, but I got to see your mother more. After a while, we became good friends. But rumors began to spread in the company that I was cozying up to the boss's daughter for a promotion. Your grandfather soon found out about this and made me choose: either cut ties with your mother and stay in the company or leave.

I was torn. I had achieved some success in the company. If I left now, I would have to start over. Plus, I had feelings for your mother. I admired her talent and character.

Seeing my struggle, your mother frankly told your grandfather that she was sure we would get married. If I had to leave the company, she would leave too.

By then, your aunt had fallen out with your grandparents and gone to B City with your uncle. Your mother was their chosen successor. They had already lost one daughter and couldn't afford to lose another.

So they decided to give me a chance. As long as I was successful, they would agree to my marriage with your mother. They gave me a million dollars to start my own business. I was already studying architectural design. With the capital, I quickly started an architectural company, the predecessor of the Galeana Group. Our business was mainly providing design drawings for construction companies. I was talented in this field. Coupled with your mother's knack for networking, our business status gradually rose.

I was responsible for creating the design drawings, and your mother was responsible for contacting the developers. In just a month, we earned three million, far exceeding our expectations.

Despite this, your grandparents never really liked me. I could sense their unwillingness in their eyes, but I'm not sure why even to this day.

However, your mother, like you, was very stubborn. No matter what, she was determined to be with me. In the end, your grandparents agreed to our marriage, and that's how your mother and I got married.

After the wedding, your mother didn't choose to return to the Fantasy Group. Instead, she chose to stick with me at the Galeana Group.

Ines felt her eyes becoming sour again. She knew why her grandparents were against them being together. Her grandparents had told her in person. It was because they knew that apart from liking her mom, he had other intentions. No parents would comfortably hand over their daughter to a man like that.