As Sierra spoke, the tears in her eyes shimmered, and she choked on her sobs. It took her a while topose herself.


    "I''m sorry. I can''t quite control my emotions. Can we talkter?"


    "Of course. Sierra, do you remember? Back when we were overseas, you were never this humble in front of me. You used to say whatever you wanted and did whatever you felt like."


    Samuel wiped the corner of his eyes. "Take a moment. Let''s go somewhere else, get you something to drink, and sit down to talk slowly."


    Sierra thought for a second and nodded. "There are a few cafés right outside the neighborhood. Let''s go sit for a bit."


    "Okay," Samuel replied.


    Sierra pushed Samuel along. Since returning to Dithoria, this was the first time they had such a calm conversation together.


    Soon, they arrived at a café, and each of them ordered drinks that the other liked.


    After cing their orders, they smiled at one another. Once the smiles faded, Samuel was the first to speak.


    "Sierra, when I was in the hospital, I kept hoping you''de visit me, but you never did. While I was lying there, I kept wondering repeatedly-why did I lose to Sophia?


    "You''re my wife. We''ve been together for so many years. Yet when we came back, after just a few meetings with Sophia, you stood by her without hesitation.


    "And my mom... I''m her son too. Why does she only see Sophia''s suffering, but not mine? Sierra, when we were overseas, you were with me. You know how hard I worked when I was starting my business, how many sleepless nights I endured. No one else saw that, but you did.


    "Tond a project, I went out drinking with clients and had so much alcohol that I ended up with a perforated stomach. You held me in tears from the pain.


    "But after we came back, when my leg was broken, you left the car without a second nce. You didn''t even look back."


    Samuel turned his gaze to the window. People came and went on the streets, cars passing in both directions. In Dithoria, he felt no sense of belonging.<fnedee> This text is hosted at FιndNovel</fnedee>


    "Sierra, when we were overseas, Marcus called, and I didn''t hesitate for a second to drop everything and go with you to Amberton to find your birth parents. Once you reunited with them, I treated them like my own. I respected them.


    "I know they were guarded around me. I didn''t care, though, because I never expected to gain anything from them. I was just angry. I said things I shouldn''t have out of anger. Sierra, I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have spoken recklessly just because I was upset."


    "But Samuel, more often than not, the things people say when they''re furious are what they truly believe." Sierra''s eyes reddened slightly. "I don''t believe that those things you said weren''t what you truly meant."


    "I know. I said them without thinking, but you listened with intent. I admit it was low of me. I''m sorry for being foul-mouthed.


    "Sierra, I truly regret it. But once something''s been said, it can''t be taken back. I don''t know what I have to do to earn your forgiveness."


    Samuel reached out and held Sierra''s hand. "Sierra, I just want to ask-do you still love me?


    "I can tell you that I do. I''ve always loved you. I never imagined a day woulde when we''d be apart. When we got our marriage certificate, I never thought we''d end up divorced.


    "I know you prefer Dithoria over


    living abroad. That''s why I wanted to


    settle down here. Sierra, I do like


    power, but don''t you think I had


    better chances of climbing thedder when we were overseas? You knew every single time someone extended an olive branch to me."  s


    Sierra remained silent. She thought back to when they were aboard.


    A rich tycoon''s daughter had taken a liking to Samuel and told him that if he divorced his wife and married into her family, he would leap into a new social ss.


    But Samuel turned her down. Because of that rejection, they had his leg broken. He spent a long time recovering, and hispany suffered as well.


    Fortunately, the tycoon eventually let it go when he saw how loyal Samuel was to his wife. Otherwise, Samuel and Sierra might not have survived overseas.


    Remembering all that, Sierra looked at Samuel with a moreplicated expression. Samuel tightened his grip on her hand.


    "Sierra, I still love you. If you still love me, can we start over? I don''t need Sinir Group. I don''t need the inheritance your parents left you. You can keep guarding against me. Just don''t divorce me. That''s all I ask.


    "Sierra, think about everything we''ve


    been through. Think about how we relied on each other abroad. Back then, it was me beside you, not Sophia Sophia has Zachary now and is living a happy life. But si deceived Marcus at one point.


    she


    Marcus let it go only for Natalie''s sake.  s


    "But have you thought about whether Natalie treats you the way she treats Sophia? You used Sky. Have you thought about what would happen if Sky or anyone from the Walker family decides to retaliate?


    "Sky has been to prison. He might not be the same as before, but he''s still the heir


    to Walker Group. Do you really think he''ll see you in a new light and help you without hesitation?"


    Sierra interrupted him. "But it was Sophia who got Sky to go after you."


    "I know."


    Samuel gave a wry smile. "I know Sophia hates me because of what I said about her. But look, Sky still hasn''t made a move, has he?


    "It''s simple. If I can''t stay in Dithoria, I''ll just go back overseas. But Sierra, your parents wouldn''t go with us. They''re used to living here. I stayed behind because I wanted to amodate you.


    "Sierra, I never wanted a divorce. Not then, not now, not ever."


    Sierra let out a heavy breath. "Then, why did you go to the Walker Group building and use me of being involved with Sky? Have you thought about what you did? How much harm it would cause me and Sky?"


    "Sierra, if I hadn''t done that, you would''ve kept using Sky."


    Samuel looked at her directly. "I needed to blow the news up, make the Walker family aware. That way even if Sky wanted to help you, they stop him He has a record He was released early, but he still under parole supervision.  s


    "If he slips up, he''ll be sent back to prison. The Walker family won''t let him make another mistake. Even if Sophia wants him to go after me, Sky won''t act now.


    "Sierra, I was despicable. I admit it. I''m sorry. You can hit and curse at me. I''ll take


    it all—just don''t divorce me. I can take anything but that. Sierra, if you still love me, please give me another chance."