My Toyboy 297
“Mr. Yates, just say what’s on your mind,” Jonathan replied.
“I have a secret that you will definitely be interested in, but it’s something neither of us would want Cynthia to see, Filip continued.
Jonathan frowned. As he was contemplating this, Cynthia was called away by Pamela. He got up and went to the lounge. He pretty much had guessed the secret but was curious about why lip wanted him there at this moment.
The door to the lounge opened. Filip was sitting on the sofa inside, staring absentmindedly at a notebook in his hand.
Jonathan walked in and closed the door behind him. He sat down on the sofa across from Filip, picked up an orange from the small table in front of them, and peeled it calmly.
He ate a segment with composure and then said lightly, “Whatever you have to say, just say it. I’d like to see how you plan to drive a wedge between me and my wife today.”
Since Jonathan entered, Filip’s gaze hadn’t left him. Today, he wore a tailored suit, exuding grace and poise; each movement spoke to the refinement of his noble upbringing. Even the way he peeled an orange felt like a work of art.
Filip had to admit that Jonathan’s innate dignity and commanding presence were qualities he had always desired. He, too, wanted to be in the spotlight, to excel, to rise above the rest, and to earn everyone’s admiration and deference.
But he didn’t have the talent or charisma. Cynthia, however, possessed both in spades, consistently overshadowing him from a young age. This had colored his love for her with a hint of bitterness and
inferiority since childhood.
If he had just accepted his own mediocrity back then, he wouldn’t have let Lilian manipulate him with a mere diary. And now, Lilian wanted to use the same trick to drive a wedge between Cynthia and Jonathan–not for his sake, but to fulfill her own desires, using him as a pawn in the process.
Yet Filip went along with it, driven by sheer curiosity to see if Jonathan would fail the test as he had in the past.
If this diary could create issues between Jonathan and Cynthia, it would only prove that Jonathan was no different from Filip -just as unworthy of Cynthia.
But Filip didn’t hand over the diary right away. Instead, he said, “Three years ago, Cynthia and I also had a grand wedding.”
Jonathan replied with a hint of sarcasm, “Didn’t you fail to even show up at the ceremony?”
Filip paused, speechless.
Jonathan added indifferently, “Actually, I’m genuinely grateful to you. If you had registered your marriage to my wife back then, I wouldn’t have ended up with her.
“I should thank you for being blind to her worth and for driving her into my arms.”
Hearing those words, Filip felt a tightness in his chest.
He said, “Cynthia and I missed our chance because of many misunderstandings. Yet, from the day we were born, we practically saw each other every day. Twenty years of shared history–it’s irreplaceable.
“Regardless of what I’ve done or how our relationship stands now, this bond has always been there. I believe there’s always a special place for me in her heart that no one else can fill.” Exclusive content from NôvelDrama.Org.
Jonathan smiled. “Is that the best you’ve got, Mr. Yates? Did you really think those words would shake my marriage?
08.15
“You are a part of my wife’s past–I won’t deny that. I don’t care whether she still holds a place for you in her heart. What matters most is that when she opens her eyes each day. I’m the one she sees.
“I’m the one walking beside her in this world, building our future together. Whether in our darkest days or highest moments, it’ll be me with her, watching every sunrise and sunset—and that’s enough for me”
Filip grew agitated. “Do you really not care at all about our past?
“Mr. Yates, only the incapable cling to memories, using them to keep a hold on others, because they have nothing to offer and have no confidence in their own future.”
Filip froze, his weak spot struck. Jonathan was resolute and composed, exuding a sense of confidence and strength.
Filip lowered his gaze. “You’re far more steadfast than I was. If I’d had that strength back then, I wouldn’t have let Lilian come between Cynthia and me with just a diary.”
He placed the diary on the table, pushing it toward Jonathan. “From page 67 onward are the fake entries Lilian wrote. imitating Cynthia’s handwriting. I believed her lies, resented Cynthia, and broke
up with her. It was all Lilian’s scheme
Jonathan looked at the diary on the table, slightly frowning. He hadn’t known about it before.
He sneered, “I always thought you and Ms. Sheppard were truly in love.
“You did so much for her back then–you left your family and endured everyone’s criticism just to be with her. In a way. I admired your courage.”
At this, resentment flashed in Filip’s eyes. “I was tricked by that deceitful, vicious woman.”
Jonathan’s eyes showed a hint of confusion. “Since you already know Lilian is a malicious woman, why would you still marry her and have such a lavish wedding?”
Filip’s eyes flickered. “That’s between me and Lilian.”
Jonathan had no intention of digging further. He reached out and picked up the diary from the table. “Since this diary belongs to Cynthia, I’ll take it with me. I’ll return it to its rightful owner.”
He looked at Filip and added, “Now, about that secret you mentioned–are you ready to tell me?”
Fip was momentarily stunned by the cold and piercing look in Jonathan’s eyes.
In reality, claiming he had a “secret” was just an excuse to lure Jonathan here. He did have a serious secret, but it was something he couldn’t share with anyone–especially not with Jonathan.
But being stared at so intensely, Filip felt guilty, as though his secret was already known.
He averted his eyes and said, “The secret I wanted to share is in this diary. If you’re interested, take a closer look back home.
Jonathan raised an eyebrow. “I won’t be reading it. I’m not like you. Knowing it holds memories of your affectionate past, I’d rather not unsettle myself.
“Besides, I know well enough that they mean nothing to us now just a fleeting dream of yours. Why should I care?” With that, he stood to leave.
Filip sat frozen on the sofa, dazed, thinking, ‘He is right. It’s merely a fleeting dream from my teenage years.
Jonathan intended to leave, only to find that the lounge door wouldn’t open.
3