The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 483 Give Up

"No no, there is absolutely no need for that," Lisa responded. After being dismissed by Anthony several times over the course of dinner, she didn't expect that he would drive her. "I can honestly go home by myself," she added in an affirmative tone.

"Let's go please," Anthony said to Lisa bluntly, as he got up to leave. "I'm heading out now."

Lisa stared at Anthony in disbelief yet a little content. Upon seeing that Anthony agreed to drive Lisa home, Autumn with a satisfied laugh added, "Now that you guys have decided to go, I'll not keep you here any longer. Have a safe drive!"

Anthony strode towards the door, followed by Lisa. It was a twenty-minute drive from the Zhao family house to their neighborhood. On the way home, Anthony didn't utter a word. Lisa intended to say something but held her tongue at last. As a result, an eerie silence prevailed in the car.

After parking his car right across from Lisa's apartment, Anthony finally opened his mouth and uttered,"Here is your stop."

"Well thank you. I'll see you tomorrow!" Lisa responded with a hesitant look. She opened the door but before walking out, she turned around and said, "Today I finally clearly understood why you fell in love with Autumn."

Anthony hated her for saying that and snapped back sharply, "That's none of your business, Lisa. Stay out of it!"

"Yeah, I understand. I won't meddle in your personal matters, not anymore." Lisa responded calmly almost like she understood what had to be done. With a bitter smile, she went on,"When I ate at the table, I realized that you would never accept me. So I have decided to quit my job here and return to America."

"So you're leaving?" Anthony gazed at Lisa in disbelief. All this while he never actually thought she would return to the United States. After he got over the shock, he asked,"Why did you suddenly make this decision?"

"How does it matter? Weren't you expecting me to leave? Well now, your wish has finally come true," Lisa replied, without a shiver in her voice. She was certain about it now. Today she finally figured it all out sitting at that dinner table. She realized that she should stop wasting time on Anthony. Time and again, Anthony made her realize that he didn't want to mend their relationship. Over the past six months, she flew halfway around the world to get back with him, but he dismissed her every chance he got. There was no reason to go on with this torture, and it was not worth it.

"So soon? I mean you just got settled here," Anthony responded, looking surprised. He had never thought that Lisa would resolve to leave all of a sudden after all that talk of always being around him to mend their relationship. Upon hearing this, he was overwhelmed by a wave of surprise.

Lisa stated bitterly,"Actually I had been thinking about this for a while now, but it wasn't until tonight did I actually make up my mind. When I caught a glimpse of how you looked at Autumn with such affection and admiration, I understood that you would never fall in love with me no matter how hard I try. So I decided to let you go."

With her eyes resting on Anthony, she changed the subject and went on,"I'm leaving soon. But before leaving, I think as your friend, I should give you some advice."

Anthony wore a cold expression in his silence. Lisa ignored his look, and went ahead,"Autumn is a good woman who deserves every bit of your affection. But she is married. If she ever replaces out how dearly you love her, she will feel troubled and guilty. If you really like her, you should stay away from her and never let her know about your feelings. This way, she can lead a happy life with her husband. I think that's what you should do."

"I know and I understand all of that very well," Anthony replied, as a wry smile spread across his face.

He had resolved to keep his adoration for Autumn to himself. Under no circumstance did he ever intend to let anyone know this, let alone telling Autumn.

"I never intended to tell this to Autumn as I don't expect to win her heart," he said with a resolute look. After a pause, he continued, "After she gives birth, I'll apply for a transfer to another hospital. I couldn't think of a better option than leaving the Y Hospital."

"Yeah, that makes sense." Lisa nodded approvingly. "It'll do you good, I am sure."

Anthony looked at Lisa with kind eyes and asked, "Have you really made up you mind to leave?"

When Lisa came to Y City all alone for him, Anthony had complex feelings for her. On the one hand, he didn't want to see her waste time on him. On the other hand, he admired her greatly especially for her determination and strength.

She came to a strange country all alone just to pursue the guy she loved without any assurance of their future. Not every girl had the courage to do that.

He couldn't force himself to accept her, so he had to treat her in a cruel manner to push her away and it had finally worked.

A relieved smile shone on Lisa's face. Since she made her choice, she felt much relieved and optimistic of returning home. She didn't have to conceal her emotions and try all means to please Anthony anymore.

'From today on, he has nothing to do with me. It is way past the time I should have moved on but better later than never.

I don't care who he loves as long as he is happy!' she thought to herself.

"Why did you ask that question? Don't tell me after all this time you don't want me to leave?" Lisa joked yet hoping somehow for him to hold her back. Fixing her earnest eyes on Anthony, she continued in a serious one like a love-lorn girl, "If you ask me to stay, perhaps I'll stay here for you."

Her eyes sparkling with hope, she was so nervous as if her heart was in her mouth. If Anthony asked her to stay, she wouldn't go anywhere, not now nor ever.

Deep inside, she yearned for a positive sign from Anthony. After all this was the first time since she came that they had exchanged words and had a polite conversation.

However, Anthony didn't give the reply she sought. With a warm smile he asked in a bid to change the topic yet answer her question,"So when are you going to leave? I'll definitely see you off at the airport." When she heard his diplomatic answer, all the hope left in her eyes and her heart was crushed.

'I am so very stupid after everything we have been through. Why did I still hope for something from him?

He doesn't love me at all. Why would he ask me to stay?' she ridiculed herself inside to reduce the burdening pain she felt.

"No, thanks for the offer," she rejected. "I'll resign tomorrow. After the resignation procedure is finished, I'll have serve a month of notice period. I don't want you to see me off. I'm afraid I might burst into tears at the sight of you. I wish you happiness and all the luck for a bright future."

"I'm sorry," Anthony responded with guilt of having let her down. He couldn't think of anything else to say in that moment.

"You did't need to apologize Anthony," Lisa said. With a desperate smile, she continued, "This was all my own idea and doing. I came to you and tried to get back with you. I'm tired now of repeatedly trying so I give up."

'You'll never replace a woman who loves you as much as I did, ' Lisa said to herself silently with disappointment.

"Goodbye!" Lisa said in a heartbroken tone. She turned around and got out of the car. Overcome with grief, she slowly walked into the apartment building, as tears trickled down her flushed cheek. It was finally over and there was nothing to do but move on.

Watching Lisa walk into her building, Anthony let out a sigh, and then drove straight to the hospital.

The next morning, the news about Lisa's resignation had spread like wild fire throughout the hospital. Many nosy nurses came to Anthony and inquired about Lisa's sudden resignation. "Did Lisa give up pursuing you because you refused her consistently?" Anthony did not respond but instead smiled at them.

During lunch, he caught sight of Lisa. With a wide smile, she was talking to someone else. Anthony felt like he was looking at the same Lisa whom he met in college for the first time.

Since Lisa came to Y City, Anthony hadn't seen her with such a bright smile. She looked wonderful and at peace.

He grabbed his meal, took a seat and began eating. After bidding farewell to her friend, Lisa sat down opposite to Anthony with her tray and asked, "May I sit here?"