"Could it be me instead?" I stood my ground, locking eyes with him, my words deliberate and straightforward.


    I To say I had no hopes would be a lie. I could deceive anyone but not my own heart. I hadn''t moved on. Despite knowing there was no way forward for us, I still harbored a sliver of hope that, at some point over the years, he had felt something for me, even if it was just for a fleeting moment. It had been eight years. How many eight years did one have in a lifetime?


    His eyes drew me in like whirlpools and his voice had this tempting pull when he spoke, "If I said it was you, would that stop us from getting a divorce? Can we not end it?"


    I was stunned, struggling to maintain rity as looked at him and shook my head. "Bryant, if you had feelings for me, it would only mean my years of unrequited love Weren''t in vain. That migh give me a bit of sce. But that is not a reason for us to keep going."


    Bryant asked, "All these years?"


    "Yes, all these years Suddenly, I felt ready toy bare my feelings, no longer hiding them. Iughed and said, "Eight years, Bryant, I''ve been into you since college, for eight years."


    After saying it all out loud, maybe I could finally let go of regrets. Telling Bryant openly that I had feelings for him was not shameful.


    "How could I..." Bryant''s eyes widened in surprise, a mix of joy and skepticism. "Didn''t you have a thing for Mark back in college?"


    I took a deep breath to quell the bitterness in my heart. "Who told you that? Or did you think there must be a romance between them if a guy and a girl get along well?"


    Bryant hesitated, "Then..."


    "Forgot? Didn''t you wish me a happy eighth anniversary recently?" I forced a smile, though not graceful, and continued, "The day I woke up in the hospital and saw you, I started to fall for you. Thanks for getting me to the hospital in time and for all the meals you went out of your way to treat me to."


    "You..." Bryant looked away, his posture wavering, his voice tight. "You fell for me because of that?"N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    it was just For some reason, I sensed panic in him. I tried to sound casual. "Maybe, to you, a small favor, long forgotten, but to me back then, it was a beacon of light, Bryant, regardless, I was grateful to you."


    Having said it all, I was ready to start anew, leaving the past behind. I wouldn''t owe Bryant anything anymorel


    112


    1041


    Chapter 16.0


    He suddenly pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lighting one with a grace that made it more distinguished.


    After a few puffs, his expression turned even murkier.


    The smoke seemed to choke him, a rare moment of disarray as he looked the one to at me, "If..ifl


    "If...if I hadn''t been take you to the hospital that day..." He coughed, his eyes


    reddening, his voice rough, "Would you still have fallen for me?"