apter 16
Chapter 16
I stayed silent, my fingers tightening around the phone.
After a long pause, I finally spoke.
“Mr. Walter, I’m already engaged, so it’s inappropriate for me to care about other men. You should call Amanda instead.”
Just as I was about to hang up, Colton‘ s voice rushed through.
“Avery, you may not know this, but on the night of your engagement, William received your gift and immediately beat Amanda half to death.”
“William just made a mistake, one that all
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men make. The one he truly loves is you, and the one he wants to marry is you.”
I couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.
“Is this the past century? And he’s still using the ‘just a mistake‘ excuse?”
Faintly, I heard William’s voice on the other end, weak and desperate.
“Tell her I’ll wait until she comes back.”
“You don’t need to wait. I’m never coming back.” I hung up, cutting him off before another word could escape.
I had expected William‘ s pride to take a hit after such a rejection, but surprisingly, he didn’t give up.
Later that afternoon, as I walked out of the
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company building, I texted Lucas: [Lucas, what would you like to eat tonight? I‘ ll cook for you.]
His reply came swiftly: [I‘ ll go to the market with you, and we’ll cook together.]
[Alright, I’ll wait for you.]
As soon as I sent the message, I looked up, and there he was. William, standing just a short distance away, his gaze fixed on me, unwavering.
He stood there, framed by the building‘ s glass walls, the setting sun casting a golden glow that seemed to spotlight his disheveled
appearance.
In just half a month, he had become a shadow of his former self.
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His hair was messy, his clothes out of place,
his eyes dull… Even that handsome face, once so proud, had lost its luster.
I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around it.
Hadn’t he stopped loving me?
Shouldn’t he be relieved that I was gone?
Why was he now acting like this? Who was he trying to fool with this display of wounded affection?
He limped toward me, dragging his injured leg, the look in his eyes heavy with disappointment.
“Avery, you‘ re smiling so happily. Are you texting him?”
I stopped smiling and slid my phone away,
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meeting his gaze.
“Yes, I’m texting my fiancé.”
The hurt in his eyes deepened.
For a moment, I couldn’t help but think back to those earlier months, watching him walk away with Amanda, ignoring me as I shattered quietly.
That feeling was so painful, so raw.
Now, he was tasting that same bitterness.
“Avery, he’s Lucas, the ruthless, cold- hearted, decisive Lucas that even ghosts fear. Are you sure you want to use him to get back at me?”
Yes.
That’s how everyone saw Lucas.
#30% 22.43
5/7
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Before Riverdale, I had thought the same.
But in the time we spent together, all I had seen was his kindness, his tenderness, and the quiet strength that came with his thoughtfulness.
When he picked up a knife, it wasn‘ t to harm me but to lovingly prepare breakfast or slice a piece of fruit for me.
When he had desires, he never pushed me. Instead, he stood under cold water in the shower, fighting the urge to control himself.
And he never found another woman, more delicate, more beautiful than me, to flaunt in front of me.
He had kissed my forehead, his lips warm
against my skin, as my heart raced nervously.
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“Don’t worry. I’ll wait until we’re officially married before touching you.”
I smiled softly, my lips curving gently as I
looked at William.
“William, this isn’t revenge. It’s my
sincere choice.
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“How could it not be revenge?”
William’s voice was urgent, his eyes pleading. “You‘ ve known him since you were young. You‘ ve never loved him. The one you’ve always loved is me. The one you wanted to marry was always me.”
