?Chapter 289:


    “Let’s go,” she said.


    As they walked along the dimly lit street, the glow of the streetlights highlighted Brian’s injury. She turned to him, her brows furrowed with concern. “Does it hurt?” The scratches on his neck were deep and clearly visible—three, maybe four, with one particrly nasty one where the skin had been torn slightly.


    Because of his open-cored white shirt, she could also see the scratches on his chest. She had to admit, seeing his wounds unsettled her. And she did care about him.


    For a brief moment, she almost reached out to help him. “Let me—” But she stopped herself halfway through.


    Instead, she tucked her hair behind her ear and looked at him seriously. “I’m sorry you got scratched. I take some responsibility for that. But if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing? Those cats needed help. That being said, you really shouldn’t have followed me.”


    Brian let out a small sigh, sounding hurt. “You say that, but I think I’m the real victim here. I’m worse off than they are.”


    And there it was—his usual tactic. This kind of pitiful act had worked on her before, melting her heart more times than she cared to admit. But this time, she wasn’t going to fall for it.


    “Do you know why they became strays in the first ce?”


    Brian shook his head, genuinely curious.


    “They weren’t always strays,” she exined. “Most likely, they had owners before. But some people don’t take responsibility. When their cats reproduce too quickly, they abandon them—just toss them out to survive on their own.”


    Brian sighed. “That’s really sad.”


    Rachel looked him straight in the eye. “But why do people abandon them? I can think of two reasons. Either their love was never real, or they never actually cared—just kept them around for fun.”


    A heavy silence settled between them.


    “Brian, I don’t think I need to say more. We’re over. Stop following me. Let me live my life the way I want.”


    Your favorite tales live on g?lnσνe??s


    Rachel turned and walked away without ncing back.


    Before disappearing into the distance, she left him with onest remark. “Make sure to get those scratches checked.”


    However, Brian had no intention of giving up. He quickly followed, but Rachel shot him an icy re. “Move. I’m going home.”


    Brian stared at her, his eyes filled with a sadness she had never seen before. “You used to be the first to take care of my wounds.”


    Rachel let out a small, indifferent smile. “That was the old me. I wouldn’t do that now.”


    Unable to hold back, Brian grabbed her shoulder. “Why?”


    Why? Rachel almostughed at the absurdity. Even now, he was asking that? Did he really not know?


    She couldn’t suppress it anymore. The emotions she had held back burst out.


    “Do you really not get it? Do I have to say it out loud? Fine, then listen closely. What did you see me as all this time? Another pet, like a cat? And you—just like those careless owners. When you were in a good mood, you yed with me, used me to entertain yourself. But when things didn’t go your way, you tossed me aside like I didn’t matter. I refuse to be treated like a pet, and I’m not here to make you happy. I just want to live my life for myself.”


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