?Chapter 934:


    “I…” Rhys faltered.


    Without acknowledging his attempt to speak, Harlee drew her coat closer, her thoughts drifting into recollections of the past.


    “When 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 befortable together.


    But before I could even say anything, you ended it with such decisiveness. That’s when I realized love can’t be forced.”


    Her tone carried a tinge of mncholy, but when her gaze fell on Rhys, her disappointment was unmistakable. She harbored no me, though. Love didn’t return with usations.


    Rhys’s 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.


    “Let’s preserve the good memories we shared, alright?”


    This marked the first time Harlee had ever used such a soft and humble tone. Though her eyes glistened with unshed tears, she held herposure, unwilling to let them fall. It was her final act of defiance.


    Without waiting for Rhys’s response, Harlee added calmly, “I’ll issue a public statement about our rtionship.” When Rhys had vanished years ago, the Green family had never dered him deceased, leaving Harlee’s “marriage” as little more than a…


    …than a formality followed by a press announcement.


    L?t??τ cнαρτ?rs ιn g??l??ov?l?.??????


    Another statement would finalize the separation.


    Rhys’s jaw tightened as his gaze lingered on Harlee through the darkness.


    His heart screamed to object, yet the word that left his lips was “Okay.”


    The ache in his chest deepened.


    He knew this would sever their remaining tie.


    Harlee gave him a faint smile, as though releasing thest 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.


    “Lee.


    Have you ever regretted it? After waiting for me all those years, I brought another into the Green family.


    Did you ever wish you hadn’t?” 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, “I’ve never regretted it.”


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