Chapter 18

Adrian was visibly stunned; he probably never expected me to ask that.

But he quickly replied, "Every step.

"Holding hands, kissing, living together. Every single step."

In my heart, something utterly shattered, crashing to pieces.

My mind replayed a specific afternoon.

I pushed open a door, only to see my father pinning Chloe against the sofa.

An image seared into my memory, never to be forgotten.

My stomach lurched, churning violently. For the first time, I felt a wave of disgust toward Adrian.

Adrian continued to stare at me intently: "Iris Clarke, are you jealous?

"You said Chloe wasn’t right for me before. You love me, you’re just jealous, aren’t you?"

As he spoke, he reached out to grab my arm.

But I suddenly snapped back to reality, jolted as if by lightning, quickly pulling away from his hand.

I even stumbled back a few steps, frantically creating distance between us.

Adrian froze, his face confused and bewildered.

Having put enough space between us, I looked up at him, my heart now completely devoid of emotion.

I spoke, almost enunciating each word: "Adrian, I never loved you.

"Not then, not now, not ever."

I watched the light in his eyes, like a falling flame, die out.

He even shook his head, looking lost: "I don't believe it. I don't believe it."

My mind was filled only with the imagined scenes.

Scenes of him and Chloe, entangled, intimate.

I felt almost suffocated, yet I forced myself to look at him calmly: "Believe it or not.

"Whether I loved you or not, didn't you see it most clearly five years ago?"

If he hadn't believed back then, hadn't been resentful, that I had never loved him,

He wouldn't be this bitter, this hateful toward me even now.

Adrian’s expression was dazed. After a long moment, he seemed to finally regain his composure.

Only coldness remained on his face, his voice laced with mockery:

"Right. I should have known. I was just a damn fool."

I watched as his eyes reddened.

His words, like daggers, pierced my heart.

"Iris Clarke, I was such a damn fool for even coming back to ask you."

I closed my eyes, consumed by silence.

From outside the fire exit, Chloe’s voice drifted in: "Adrian, are you and Ms. Iris Clarke in there?"

Adrian didn’t hesitate for another second. His face was a mask of frost as he directly reached out and opened the door.

By the time I remembered the reporters outside and tried to stop him, it was too late.

The door swung open, and reporters swarmed in, engulfing me.