Chapter 495

Bradley’s words gripped Esther’s heart like an invisible hand. Her fists clenched subconsciously, and a trace of mockery colored her expression, her eyes turning red.

“Bradley, you keep challenging how I see you.”

Bradley never expected Esther to address him with such a tone and expression. Since she entered his world, he had been the center of her universe. But now, he was no longer her sole light, and the way she regarded him was chillingly distant.

“Esther, I gave you a chance, but you didn’t value it…”

Esther thought of her missing daughter and rose from her chair. “No, I’ll speak to you, Bradley.”

Bradley felt a hidden excitement as he saw Esther’s willingness to converse.

Jasper worried about Bradley harming Esther. “Esther, let the bodyguards accompany you.”

Considering her past experiences with Bradley, Esther naturally didn’t want to be alone with him.

“Sure.”

With the bodyguards in tow, Esther and Bradley headed to the courthouse stairwell adorned with floor-

to-ceiling windows.

Outside, a golden ginkgo tree swayed in the breeze. Its leaves scattered to the ground with each gentle gust. Beneath the tree, a young man captured beautiful pictures of his beloved girl with a camera.

“What’s on your mind?”

Esther’s gaze shifted from the ginkgo tree to Bradley. Perhaps due to recent sleeplessness, faint circles graced his eyes. Yet, this imperfection didn’t diminish his attractiveness. Instead, it added a touch of melancholy and self-abandonment.

Once, merely stealing a glimpse of him filled Esther with joy. Now, her heart remained as calm as a still pond.

“Esther, for Felix’s sake, we can peacefully coexist,” he said.

Bradley wanted to apologize to Esther. However, his pride made him change his words before they were spoken.

“Coexist peacefully?”

Esther sneered, unbuttoning her white suit jacket and taking it off. Two delicate silk straps hung on her shoulder blades. The white silk draped over her fair skin like a second skin-the only flaw was the countless old scars on her back.

“Bradley, look at the scars on my body. Now, tell me to coexist peacefully again.

“When you sent me to prison against my will five years ago, did you show any mercy?

“While I was in prison, being bullied and beaten by others, did you ever think of showing any mercy?

“When you restrained me on the operating table and injected me with anesthesia, did you ever think of showing any mercy?

“When you chained me in the bedroom, did you ever think of showing any mercy?”

Esther’s expression remained unchanged, her voice light, slowly echoing in the stairwell. Every word she uttered was like a pebble thrown on Bradley’s heart, which had grown numb from pain.

“Bradley, you and I can never coexist peacefully.”

After speaking, Esther silently put on her suit jacket.

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