I wanted to laugh at his words, but I could not. Looking at him, I remained calm and said, “Even if I’m divorced, at least I could stay at his place as his ex-wife. But if I live at your house, what reason should I use?”
Frowning, he looked slightly desperate to convince me. “It’s okay. You can use whatever reason you want. As long as you’re willing to move out of here, I’m fine with anything.”
I smiled. “Even if the reason is me staying as your wife?”
His body stiffened upon hearing my words. “If you want, I’d be more than happy to comply.”
I sighed. “Marcus, you’re engaged. And Camelia is a good girl. Don’t drop the gem in your hand to pick up a stone. That’s really foolish. Four years ago, I’d said clearly that we could only be friends. I love Ashton. No matter how much time has passed, it will only be him. Life is too short and I can’t cater to everyone’s needs. I want you to be happy, but I can’t be the one who makes you happy.”
I was not sure if he understood what I wanted to convey, but at least I had clearly refused him.
He was silent for a moment, but there was no disappointment written on his face. Instead, he was as calm as ever. “I don’t ask you to love me. I just need to know what I want in my life.”
He came closer to me and spoke in a hushed tone. “I regret it. Four years ago, I shouldn’t have left without gaining anything on that night.”
I was dazed for a moment before anger rose in my gut. “It was you?”
Four years ago, on the night of new year’s eve, I was on the way to pick up John at the airport when I got abducted. The Fullers were somewhat famous at that time, but their influence was limited. Fortunately, they had some power in J City.
So, the incident was not made known to the public. However, neither the Stovalls nor the Fullers could discover the person who took me away that night and Sally became the scapegoat.
She was imprisoned for two years and Rebecca was kicked out of the Moore family. Later on, I left J City and the incident was then forgotten. If Marcus did not reveal the truth just now, I would have thought that it was Sally who kidnapped me for the rest of my life.
No wonder Sally’s doing everything possible to separate me and Ashton over the past four years. It’s because she hates me.
“My original plan was to make you and Ashton part ways, but I didn’t expect that your relationship would get better after the incident. What’s more surprising was that it was him who caused both of you to separate four years ago.” He landed his gaze on me. “Since both of you have separated, why don’t you have a clean break with him?”
Looking at him, I realized that the person in front of me was no longer the person I knew. The affection between us was gone. What was left was his unwillingness to accept reality. I sighed as I could not help to get rid of his obsession. I looked up at the blazing sun and said, “Marcus, I want to live my own life.”
I was indebted to him; I could not tell him anything that was too vicious or harsh.
Pursing his lips, he fell silent. After a long while, he finally said, “I can give you the life you want.”
Sighing at his stubbornness, I realized I could not continue talking to him. “It’s getting late. I should go back now.”
As I turned around, Joseph walked toward me and quietly breathed a sigh of relief, as if he was worried that I would leave with Marcus.
However, an obsessive person would not let go easily. Marcus pulled me by my wrist and said, “I took a video that night. You said that people would eventually change in four years. I didn’t force you four years ago because I wanted to win your heart. But since you refuse to be with me, I have to do it my way. I know that love can’t be forced, but I don’t care. If Ashton does not care about his reputation, I don’t mind ruining it.”
I looked at him in stunned silence. I had always believed that humans were good by nature. At that moment, I wondered why things had turned out this way.
So, I asked him, “Marcus, why? You don’t love me, so why do you want to ruin me? I’ve never harmed you in any way.”
I was always grateful to him for being the one who saved me when I was on the brink on the death. So why? Why did we turned out like this?
He snickered. “Didn’t you say to destroy the unattainable?”
I was dumbstruck, and my mind couldn’t formulate a response for a while. Shaking off his hand, I said, “I’d rather die four years ago.”
After I returned to the villa, thoughts buzzed around in my mind. I couldn’t understand why Marcus wanted to harm me. If he likes me, why does he want to hurt and destroy me? If he doesn’t like me, what is his purpose in doing so?
Ashton’s forehead was covered in sweat when he entered the villa. He looked as if he had come back in a hurry.
When he saw me sitting on the sofa, he heaved a sigh of relief and pulled me into his embrace. “Be careful when you’re out next time.”
I nodded in response and said, “Marcus came by just now.”
“I know.”
Right, Joseph probably told him. Changing the topic, I asked, “Ashton, does Aunt Sally reside in J City now?”
