?Chapter 1299:


    “She’s not some new lover,” Terrence snapped, shoving her chin aside so hard her head jerked back.


    He yanked a crisp handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his hands like he’d touched something vile, and flung it carelessly to the floor.


    The sheer disgust in his eyes cut deeper than any blow, and her tears fell harder, unstoppable.


    “How is she not your new lover?” she cried, her voice cracking under the weight of fury and heartbreak. “You left me for her!”


    “You are wrong,” Terrence said coldly, a humorlessugh escaping him. “I didn’t leave you for her. She was always the one. And you? You were just the stand-in.”


    “I’m just showing you your ce.” Terrence seized her hair and jerked her head upward, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You’ve only got yourself to me for not knowing where you stand. Did you seriously believe she took your spot? That role was hers from the start. No one could’ve taken it. You were fooling yourself, chasing something that was never meant for you.” A cruel smirk tugged at his lips.


    Besty felt a stabbing ache in her chest. His words were merciless.


    She asked, “Did you… did you ever love me? No… Did you even like me? Just a little bit…”


    Her chest felt empty, but her eyes still held love for Terrence. A love now tangled with pain.


    At this point, Besty didn’t need his love. Just knowing he’d liked her would’ve been enough.


    “No,” Terrence answered sharply, without hesitation.


    He hadn’t needed to think twice.


    From the very start, Besty had only ever been Christina’s recement in his eyes.


    Even when they were in bed, Christina was the one on his mind. Sometimes, Besty looked so much like Christina that he treated her as nothing more than a stand-in. Never with real feeling.


    “I can’t believe it. How could you never have any feelings for me? You were so sweet to me…” Besty couldn’t ept the harsh reality.


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    He’d treated her so kindly, enough to make her believe he’d love her always, enough to make her choose a life with him. She didn’t care about status or recognition. She just wanted to be with him, always.


    “It’s because you remind me of her sometimes. Even if you’re just her echo, I won’t mistreat you.” Terrence let go of her hair, his face cold.


    A wave of memories swept over Besty, drawing a bitter smile and silent tears. Her heart felt heavy with grief.


    “That’s why you never got me a ring… You never nned to marry me. She’s the only one you ever wanted to marry, isn’t she? Is she the only one you think deserves that kind of promise?”


    She lifted her gaze to Terrence, her tearful eyes still clinging to love.


    Even now, Besty knew her love for Terrence, deep and consuming, wasn’t going anywhere.


    “Yeah. She’s the only one who ever made me believe marriage wasn’t a curse. She’s the only one I’d give a ring to. Heck, if she asks, I will hand her my life.” Terrence stared at Besty like she was nothing but a bad punchline. “That clear enough for you?”


    For a split second, Terrence caught a glimpse of himself in her eyes—a fool in love,pletely consumed.


    His obsession with Christina had dug in deep, growing like a tree that had taken over his chest. Its roots had wrapped around his heart, buried so deep in his veins and bones that tearing them out would tear him apart. If Besty was a joke, then what did that make him? Just another punchline.


    For a moment, something like regret flickered behind his icy, unfeeling eyes. He’d offered Besty a way out, a chance to survive. But she hadn’t taken it. That wasn’t on him.


    “Ha… Clear enough for me? Oh,pletely… It’s so damn clear to me now…” Besty broke into a wild, brokenugh, tears pouring down her cheeks.


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