?


    Chapter 0540


    Some things wouldn''t change whether spoken aloud or left unsaid. Nichs didn''t understand. He had already exined himself. What more did I want from him?


    The hope in his eyes dimmed as he said, "You clearly care about me, so why won''t you let me get close?"


    No matter how good-tempered Nichs was, his patience had its limits. So, when his expression darkened and his words turned into a sharp question, I wasn''t the least bit surprised.


    I only felt a cold shiver in his embrace, as if I was trapped in an ice cer. The oppressive atmosphere was so heavy that even breathing became difficult.


    "Stop making everything about you. Can you at least show me some respect? Do you randomly grab women off the street and hug them?"


    Nichs narrowed his eyes, his voice frosty. "Are you saying that, to you, I''m no different from the men on the streets?''


    ''I''m close to Pete, but even he doesn''t touch me like this," I shot back. We were nothing like how he and udia behaved.


    He let out a sarcastic chuckle. "Close to Pete? Just how close were you two?"


    He gritted his teeth and held back whatever words he wanted to say next, shing me a mocking smile that didn''t reach his eyes.


    I knew there was more he wanted to say, but I had no strength left for a fight. I simply pressed my lips together and stayed silent.


    Nichs hesitated for a moment before finally letting go. ''Fine then. I won''t touch you without your permission. I''ll give you the respect you want."


    It felt less like a promise and more like charity.


    The atmosphere grew unbearably awkward. As I reached the door, I heard the crash of tes shattering in the dining room.


    When Nichs was in a good mood, he teased me. When he wasn''t, he smashed things.


    I stumbled my way out in the dark. But before I got far, Nichs caught up to me. He said coldly, "I''ll take you home."


    ''No need-''


    Before I could finish, he cut me off. "It''s toote."


    "Dous is waiting for me."


    ''Tell him to leave. Don''t worry. I pulled my back earlier. Even if I wanted to do something, I couldn''t." Nichs spoke as if he was talking to himself. "Dragging your wrist doesn''t count as being handsy, right?"Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    The next moment, I felt a sudden pressure on my right wrist as Nichs tightened his grip. His car had already stopped at the side of the vi, and he was leading me toward it.


    His walk seemed a little off. When I looked closely, I realized he wasn''t kidding about his injury-his right steps were smaller than his left.


    He walked ahead, his figure blending with the moonlight.


    I had once imagined walking with him in the courtyard after dinner, just hoping he would hold my hand. But it had been eight years of waiting.


    I curled my fingers into a fist in his palm, feeling a pang of bitterness. Coral Vi was a ce I''de to despise.


    Every time I was here, it felt like an invisible hand was squeezing my heart, indifferent to my well-being. Inside the car, silence fell between us. Leaning weakly against the window, I pulled out my phone, expecting to see nothing new. To my surprise, Nichs hadn''t done anything to help udia.


    The online storm was still brewing, and the story about Christopher''s involvement in the ''naked feast" was still spreading. The rumors were a chaotic mess, some even suggesting that udia was the naked woman mentioned.


    The reason was simple. She liked older men, especially those over 50.


    The trending topic had been all over the news, but Nichs remained silent about it. I had assumed he had already dealt with it for udia, so there was no need for further discussion.


    For some reason, I found myself asking, "Why aren''t you handling the online situation?"


    Nichs'' anger hadn''t cooled. He shot me a sideways nce. "Are you out of your mind? Why would I waste my time on that?"