Damon''s gaze was serious, and every word struck N''s heart, leaving ripples that lingered long after.


    "It''s gettingte. You should go back. I''ll think about what you said," she replied.


    "Okay,” Damon agreed.


    After Damon left, N couldn''t stop reying his words in her mind, but her thoughts were a tangled mess.


    Having just broken up with Oliver, she knew it would take time to reconsider her feelings about Damon. She decided not to dwell on it any longer.


    In the following days, N became overwhelmed with her project.


    When Vrie called, she was still working overtime, waiting for experimental data toe through.


    "N, what''s going on with you and Oliver? Why is he suddenly dating? If he did something to hurt you, I''ll fly over to Capitarnia right now and deal with him!" Vrie hissed.


    N paused, gripping her pen. “We broke up."


    "What?! How did that happen so suddenly? Thest time I saw you two, everything seemed fine. Did he cave under family pressure?" Vrie asked.


    N shook her head, even though Vrie couldn''t see her. "No. I was the one who ended it."


    There was a brief silence on the other end before Vrie spoke softly. "You brought it up? Are you sure you don''t have any romantic feelings for him? Was that it?"


    “Yeah, I just feel like I owe him a lot," N admitted.


    Vrie sighed. "If you''re really not into him, there''s no point in forcing it."


    If this had been a while ago, Vrie might have scolded her. But after spending so much time with Zayntely, she understood how exhausting it could be to stay with someone when the feelings weren''t there-it felt like a burden.


    "I just feel bad for him, and I don''t know how to make it up to him," N confessed. At Vrie''s words, N frowned.


    "Stop right there! First of all, Oliver has everything he needs. Secondly, he treats you well because he likes you.


    "If he knew you were trying to figure out how to make it up to him, it would only hurt him. He''s liked you for five years. If he were after something else, he could easily find someone more suitable. Why stick around you?


    "Since you can''t reciprocate his feelings, don''t disturb him. Just live your life. Besides, even if you try to make it up to him, can you erase those five years and pretend nothing happened?”


    "I don''t want to erase anything. I just feel like I owe him so much," N said softly.


    Chaptereo


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    "If he faces any difficulties in the future and you can help, then do so. For now, just stop thinking about it," Vrie advised.


    N wasn''t sure if she had truly absorbed what Vrie had said. She murmured, "Okay, I understand."


    By the time it was past 10:00 p.m., the experiment finally concluded. As she packed


    up her equipment, she ran into Damon in the elevator.


    Damon looked surprised. "Why are you leaving work sote?"


    "I was waiting on some experimental data," N replied.


    Damon nodded, and an awkward silence filled the elevator.


    When they reached the basement, N stepped out first, hearing Damon''s footsteps behind her.


    Unexpectedly, something about the way he moved caught her attention-his steps were uneven,cking his usual steady calmness.


    She turned instinctively and saw him clutching his stomach, his face pale.


    "What''s wrong?" she asked, rushing toward him, her voice full of concern.


    Damon shook his head. “I''m fine. Just a little stomachache. It''ll pass soon." Chapter 669


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    Cede is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a ir for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cede''s storytelling style is immersive and addictive-perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.