?Chapter 1433:


    “So you have kissed a lot of women, then!” Chloe shot back, her tone sharp.


    Morse felt utterly wronged. Sweat broke out along his temples, and even his wound began to ache from the tension.


    “You’re the only girl I’ve ever kissed…” he blurted out, desperate to clear himself.


    “And what about men?” Chloe asked before she could stop herself, her voice rising without thought.


    Morse’s mouth twitched, and he sighed helplessly. “I haven’t kissed any men either.”


    “So… you want to try?” she teased, her mischievous streak suddenly ring.


    Morse looked at her—this willful, impossible girl who could drive him to madness—and felt his exasperation melt into pure affection.


    “I don’t want to try with anyone else. I only want to be with you.” Atst, the truth slipped free.


    From the moment Chloe had boldly kissed him, something inside Morse had already surrendered.


    After that kiss, he knew there was no turning back.


    He was determined to see it through—to win her heart properly, to go to the Scott family, confess his intentions, and prove himself worthy.


    “Oh, so you already have someone in your heart…” Chloe muttered before realizing what she’d just said.


    Her eyes widened, and she stammered, “Wait—what did you just say?”


    Had she heard him wrong? Wasn’t Morse supposed to see her as nothing more than a friend? How could he say he wanted to be with her?


    “I said I love you,” Morse repeated softly. “I only want to be with you… and only…” A blush crept up his cheeks as he lowered his voice. “Try with you.”


    Chloe froze, her mind nk for a second before a rush of joy flooded her chest. She had always believed she would be nothing more than his friend.


    Even when she had recklessly kissed him, she had steeled herself for the worst—for his anger, his rejection, his cold retreat. She had already epted that after that kiss, they might remain achingly distant. But this? This twist of fate caught herpletely off guard.


    ???????? ???????? ???? ???? ????????????????: g????????ν????????????


    The sudden rush of good news hit her like a wave, leaving her dizzy and breathless. Her mind refused to catch up with her heart.


    “You…” Chloe finally found her voice, though it trembled as she stared at the man before her. “Morse, can you say that again? I didn’t quite catch it.”


    Of course she had heard him. Every word had struck straight to her heart, but disbelief demanded she hear it once more, just to be sure it was real.


    Her fingers twisted the hem of her clothes, her wide, tearful eyes locked on him. She didn’t even dare to blink, afraid the moment might disappear if she did.


    “I love you, Chloe,” Morse said, his voice steady and warm, his gaze tender enough to make her heart ache. “I’ve been in love with you for a long time, but because of our differences, I—”


    Tears gathered in Chloe’s eyes, shimmering before spilling over as she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him in a trembling embrace. “You jerk! You absolute jerk! You love me and never said a word! You even tried to deny it! Do you have any idea how sad I was? How heartbroken?”


    .


    .


    .