Chapter 21
Lennox’s hand reaching for the clay suddenly froze mid air, her fingertips suspended.
She really hadn’t expected Lucas to confess at this moment. Her ears burned like they’d been scalded, heat rushing up instantly.
When she turned her head, she collided straight into those emerald eyes.
She’d always known how captivating those eyes could be when focused on someone, but meeting them up close still made her heart skip a beat.
After just a second, she hastily looked away, her fingertips unconsciously scratching at the edge of the work table.
“Lucas, why… why do you like me?” Her lashes trembled lightly, her voice barely audible.
Lucas tilted his head. “Since when does liking someone need a reason?”
Lennox pressed her lips together. “But I… might not be what you think.”
“I don’t look at you through imagination.”
Lucas leaned forward slightly, his tone especially serious. “The Lennox I see secretly shares leftover bread with homeless people on street corners, stands her ground when customers pick fights, and lights up when she’s working with clay.”
“Like the sun–warm and bright.”
“Isn’t it natural to fall for the sun?”
Lennox felt her cheeks burning at his words. In all her years, no one had ever praised her so directly.
Back with Hayes, all she’d heard was “spoiled” and “arrogant.” Those people didn’t even bother getting to know her before slapping labels on her.
But now, someone was calling her the sun.
Only… she wasn’t ready to start over yet.
As if seeing through her hesitation, Lucas smiled, his tone relaxing: “You don’t need to answer right away, and don’t feel pressured. I just wanted you to know how I feel.”
“Lennox opened her mouth, finally managing only a quiet: “Thank you.”
Feelings weren’t a game. She couldn’t make such a rash decision.
“I need some time to figure out my own heart, Lucas. I can’t give you an answer right now.”
Lucas‘ eyes crinkled. “That’s fine. What you think matters most.”
From that day on, their relationship returned to how it was before.
fore: are!
Lucas really understood boundaries. Even after laying his feelings bare, he didn’t pressure her at all, still coming to the shop regularly like always, chatting about pottery and sharing stories.
Lennox’s life returned to peace. The door chimes rang again and again, but Hayes never appeared.
She’d thought her decisive rejection that day had finally made him give up, until one evening when she closed the shop and went home. The moment she pushed open her door, she found Hayes sitting on her living room couch.
Dark circles ringed his eyes, stubble covered his face–he looked utterly wrecked.
15:21
A Billion–Dollar Goodbye: Too Late for Second Chances. Mr. Ex
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Chapter 21
“How did you get in?”
Lennox’s hand shot into her pocket, gripping her phone with fingers hovering over the emergency call button, her heart hammering wildly in her
chest.
Hayes slowly looked up, bloodshot eyes forcing out a smile more painful than crying: “Len, I can’t just watch you be with someone else.”
“We were…. about to get married.”
A strong sense of unease flooded through Lennox as she stared at him warily: “What exactly do you want?”
Hayes looked at her and smiled: “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Before Lennox could back away, sharp pain shot through the back of her neck. Her vision went black as she lost consciousness completely.
When she opened her eyes again, she saw a familiar ceiling.
She bolted upright, looking around.
The paintings on the walls, the plants by the window, even that desk lamp she’d used for years–everything clearly told her one fact.
This was her small apartment in the capital. How had she gotten back here?
Lennox quickly threw off the covers and got out of bed. Just as she was about to rush to the door, it suddenly opened from outside.
Hayes walked in carrying a bowl of porridge, wearing the gray loungewear she’d bought him, smiling as naturally as always: “You’re awake? Just made some porridge. Come eat.”
Lennox stood frozen in place, her gaze ice–cold: “What is this supposed to mean?”
Hayes set the porridge on the nightstand. When he turned around, his eyes held an almost obsessive tenderness.
“In one week, we’re having our wedding.”
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