"Alright! Everyone stop arguing! I nearly shouted.


    "Pete, this choice is indeed difficult. If I were in your shoes, I might choose to protect my family as well. I understand you, but I''m also grateful to you. Because of your choice, the guilt I feel has eased a little."


    I gave a bitter smile, feeling a pang of sadness. "To be honest, my guilt toward you is overwhelming. Your gave me a glimmer of warmth when I was most helpless and desperate.


    "I regret that we never had a proper beginning and that I didn''t even get to say goodbye. At least today''s meeting can make up for some of the regrets we have.


    "No!" Pete''s chest heaved heavily. "I don''t wanna say goodbye. I have too many regrets. Ari, you''ll stay with me, won''t you?"


    Nichs''s voice was icy. "Stop dreaming! You know you and her are never going to be together!"


    "Nichs, don''t interrupt."


    I walked toward Pete and held his wrist.


    I heard you''re nning to settle abroad and that you''re seeing a nice youngdy from a good family. Pete, I wish you happiness."


    Pete''s body swayed, his face turning pale. "You... you knew?"


    "Yes. I found out recently when I met your dad. He talked to me about you."


    Pete forced a bleak smile, his gaze fixed on where Nichs and I were holding hands,N?velDrama.Org content.


    His voice trembled as he said, "Even if Nichs is scheming against you, you''re still staying with him?"


    "You should have read the news today. His hands were injured because of me. Out of fairness and empathy, I need to take care of him."


    I tilted my head slightly to look at Nichs.


    "Besides, I promised him just now that I would stop rejecting him. I would give him another chance, and see where it goes."


    Pete smiled bitterly. "Just now? Have we finally missed our chance?"


    I nodded. "Yes. I wish you find your own happiness soon."


    ou


    Pete swayed as if he had been hit hard, nearly copsing. "Alright. Anyway, you and he are-"


    "Pete! Nichs interrupted. "The three minutes are up. You should leave now."


    Pete forced a smile.


    "I saw the house in Lexton City. It''s beautifully decorated. Was it done ording to my preferences? Since I''m about to go abroad, I won''t need it. You can keep it and stay there asionally." en


    "No need," Nichs spoke abruptly "That house was decorated


    vol


    ording to your preference, not Ariana''s. I won''t leave any trace of her for you."


    Chacter 0357


    "Alright... alright..." Pete murmured, his eyes red when he looked up again. "Ari, let me hug you onest time, as a goodbye."


    I released Nichs''s wrist and walked over to Pete, opening my arms. "I wish you every happiness."


    Pete also opened his arms to hug me back. "I''ll always wait for you."


    Nichs had already opened the door wide, practically ushering Pete out. After he left, Nichs immediately shut the door.


    He came over and tried to hold my


    hand, but pulled away. "That


    just a show to make him let go


    ??


    Nichs, I need to reconsider our rtionship."