Henry thought for a second that he was seeing things-maybe it was the alcohol. He shot to his feet, wide-eyed. "Van-Vanessa? What are you doing here?"


    Vanessa barely nced at him before turning ton. "Ian, could I have a word alone with Henry?"


    With that,n walked out, leaving the two of them in the dimly lit bar.


    Vanessa slid inton''s now-empty seat. She fixed her gaze on Henry for a few seconds, her tone almost icy as she spoke. "Henry, since when do you think it''s your ce to fight my battles for me?"


    Henry froze. He stared at Vanessa-she rarely got angry with him. But right now, she was like a red rose bristling with thorns, her eyes shing with barely contained fury.


    He felt himself dete, voice dropping to a mumble. "I just... I couldn''t stand seeing you "


    Vanessa let out a sigh and muttered, "You idiot."


    Henry swallowed hard, his Adam''s apple bobbing as he softened his tone. "I just... I can''t bear to see you hurt."


    Vanessa picked upn''s half-finished cup of tea, bringing it to her lips. “Hurt? I knew this day woulde the moment I decided to love him."


    Henry''s heart twisted painfully. It was exactly this stubborn devotion of Vanessa''s that made him ache for her.


    Then, Vanessa gave a bitter littleugh, her eyes brutally honest as she looked at him. "Henry, do you really think I don''t know how you feel about me? I remember every kindness, but I can''t give you anything in return.”


    Her words washed over him like a gentle tide, warm and sad. He spoke quietly, "I never expected anything back from you. Everything I''ve done, I did willingly."


    "No, that''s not fair to you. And I can''t just keep you hanging on. I''m not ready to give up onn yet. I can''t let you wait for me like this."


    Henry lifted his head, the look in his eyes stubborn and bright. "I''m willing. If you want to wait forn, then wait. I''ll be right here behind you. Whenever you''re tired, just turn around and you''ll see me."


    Vanessa''s eyes filled with tears. She bit her lip, staring at Henry, then blurted out, "You idiot, is it really worth it?"


    Henry managed a wry smile. "As long as you need me, it''s worth it." He rose, walked to her side, and gently reached up to wipe away her tears.


    Startled, Vanessa jerked away at first, but when his hand brushed her cheek, her breath caught in her throat.


    "Don''t cry," he murmured. "I won''t meddle in things between you andn


    anymore. Don''t be angry with me, okay?"


    Vanessa looked at him and nodded softly.


    Henry immediately called over the bartender and ordered her a ss of juice.


    Watching her sit there, face buried in her hands and lost in gloom, guilt gnawed at him.


    Maybe he really had gone too far tonight.


    "Vanessa," Henry finally asked, "earlier I askedn why he said he only thinks of you as a friend. Does he really not even want you to be his girlfriend?"