âMr.
Simmons, is this some kind of twisted joke?â Jenniferâs voice carried a tinge of bitter disbelief, her gaze locked onto Hilliardâs serious expression.
His demeanor, usually as cold as ice, bore an unprecedented intensity as he responded, âNo, Jennifer, every word I spoke was the truth.
â
Her lips quivered, her frustration mingling with incredulity.
âSo, is it because youâve grown accustomed to my presence, to my pursuit? And now that Iâve chosen to move on, you suddenly find yourself at a loss?â
Hilliardâs gaze held steady, his reply steady.
âYes, I am lost without you.
Admitting my love should have come far earlier, and I should never have turned you away.
â
The irony of the situation wasnât lost on Jennifer.
Her heart ached at the sudden shift, the emotions swirling like a tempest within her.
âALL those times I chased after you, you barely gave me a second glance.
And now that Iâve decided to mend my heart and leave you behind, you confess your love? Is it that when you no longer desire me, youâll grow cold again and push me away? How am I supposed to see myself in your eyes?â
Tears glistened in her eyes, and she felt humiliated.
âHilliard, my family might not have your wealth, but I wonât let you trample on my heart like this!â
Hilliard didnât expect that she would be so angry.
Had his indifference really broken her heart?
âI didnât mean that, Jennifer.
â
His own heart twisted at her pain, struggling to find the right words to ease her distress.
He reached for a tissue, his attempt at comfort only succeeding in smudging her makeup.
He withdrew his hand and looked at her cowardly.
Noticing something was wrong from the look on his face, Jennifer quickly opened her bag and took out a mirror.
Observing her reflection in a mirror, Jenniferâs frustration swelled, her voice laced with bitterness.
âHilliard, were you sent by the heavens to torment me? What have I done to deserve this? Iâve spent so long trying to move on from you.
Why must you complicate everything? What do you want from me?â
Hilliard, his usually steadfast demeanor faltering, said with a touch of vulnerability, âI apologize.
Iâve never been skilled at dealing with matters of the heart.
Iâm inexperienced in this.
Please donât be angry.
Youâre still beautiful despite the mishap.
â
Jenniferâs emotions churned.
How could an arrogant and cold man like him apologize to her?
His apology, unexpected and sincere, moved her.
However, she tried her best to suppress the feeling.
âYour reasons donât matter to me.
Iâve made up my mind to sever all ties with you.
I wonât be swayed easily.
â