Chapter 934:
âIâ¦â Rhys faltered.
Without acknowledging his attempt to speak, Harlee drew her coat closer, her thoughts drifting into recollections of the past.
âWhen I returned to the Sanderson family and learned you were my arranged partner, I felt relieved.
At that time, I thought that even if there was no love, we could at least be comfortable together.
But before I could even say anything, you ended it with such decisiveness. Thatâs when I realized love canât be forced.â
Her tone carried a tinge of melancholy, but when her gaze fell on Rhys, her disappointment was unmistakable. She harbored no blame, though. Love didnât return with accusations.
Rhysâs hands trembled, his chest tightening as though needles were piercing his heart. The agony overwhelmed him, leaving him breathless. The fear of losing Harlee consumed him, yet he managed to swallow the truth poised on the edge of his lips.
Harlee lowered her head slightly.
âLetâs preserve the good memories we shared, alright?â
This marked the first time Harlee had ever used such a soft and humble tone. Though her eyes glistened with unshed tears, she held her composure, unwilling to let them fall. It was her final act of defiance.
Without waiting for Rhysâs response, Harlee added calmly, âIâll issue a public statement about our relationship.â When Rhys had vanished years ago, the Green family had never declared him deceased, leaving Harleeâs âmarriageâ as little more than aâ¦
â¦than a formality followed by a press announcement.
LⱯtÑÑÏ cнαÏÏÑrs ιn gð¶lðovÑlÑ.ð¸ðð
Another statement would finalize the separation.
Rhysâs jaw tightened as his gaze lingered on Harlee through the darkness.
His heart screamed to object, yet the word that left his lips was âOkay.â
The ache in his chest deepened.
He knew this would sever their remaining tie.
Harlee gave him a faint smile, as though releasing the last bit of her hold on him.
Rhys watched her silently, as if trying to perfectly memorize her face.
Seeing no reaction, Harlee closed her eyes.
Just as she turned away, Rhys pulled her into an embrace from behind.
Caught off guard, Harlee was enveloped by his arms, staring up into his intense, shadowed eyes.
Her heart faltered, betraying the illusion of closure she sought to maintain.
âLee.
Have you ever regretted it? After waiting for me all those years, I brought another into the Green family.
Did you ever wish you hadnât?â Rhys asked.
His voice hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotion, as the silence of the cave seemed to magnify its weight.
Rhys stared at Harlee, as if trying to unravel her true feelings through her eyes.
Harlee shifted slightly before answering, her voice calm but distant, âIâve never regretted it.â
.
.
.