?Chapter 237:


    Seeing they had been singled out, the women exchanged uneasy nces, their nerves tightening. Had they made a mistake? Had they somehow upset Brian? They straightened in their seats, their hands stiff in theirps, bracing for a reprimand.


    But instead, Brian’s tone was unexpectedly calm. “I’ve asked you to stay behind because I have a personal matter to discuss.”


    A personal matter? So, it wasn’t about work! Realizing this, their tension melted away, reced by curiosity.


    Their eyes flickered with intrigue, eager to hear more.


    “It’s about rtionships,” Brian continued. “From what I’ve heard, you’re all happily married. Ronald tells me your families are thriving, so I thought I’d ask for your insight.”


    At the mention of rtionship troubles, their excitement grew. One of the older women leaned in slightly. “Of course, Mr. White. Ask us anything—we’ll do our best to help.”


    Brian drummed his fingers on the table, his expression unreadable. After a pause, he finally spoke. “If a woman was always clingy—always making it clear how much she cared—but one day, she suddenly pulls away, stops seeking me out, and actspletely independent… what does that mean?”


    The room fell silent for a moment before one of the women, rather than answering outright, posed a question of her own.


    “When other women were around you—especially when things got a little too friendly—did she used to get upset? Maybe even jealous?”


    Brian didn’t hesitate. “Yes. She’d argue with me every time.”


    “And now?” another woman prompted.


    His fingers stilled against the table. His voice came out quieter than before. “No. She hasn’t said a word. She acts like she doesn’t notice… like she doesn’t care at all.”


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    Hearing his response, the women exchanged knowing nces, their conclusion already clear. Without hesitation, they all agreed.


    “Mr. White, we hope you won’t take offense, but there are only two reasons a woman changes like that.”


    Brian’s gaze sharpened. “Go on.”


    The older woman spoke first. “The first possibility is that she loves you too much—so much that she’s afraid of upsetting you. She worries you’ll find her unreasonable, so instead of speaking up, she swallows her feelings and suffers in silence.”


    His jaw tightened. “And the second?”


    The room grew still before another woman answered, “She’s been hurt too many times, hurt so deeply that she’s lost all hope. She’s forcing herself to move on, to stop loving you. And when a woman reaches the point where she no longer cares… it means she no longer loves you.”


    A sharp pang twisted in Brian’s chest.


    No longer loved him?


    She had loved him for so long, so consistently, that he had almost taken it for granted—so long that her presence had be as natural as breathing.


    If one day she truly stopped loving him, if she really let go… He couldn’t even picture it.


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