?


    In the end, it was Christine who went to get the luggage.


    She was always one to act on impulse, a mind full of doubts that needed immediate clearing.


    Otherwise, good luck catching any z''s.


    Dailey offered to apany her, but she turned him down, leaving him no choice but to wait by the door.


    Gregory and Dailey had known each other for years, yet Gregory was never one for mushy constions.


    He simply stood by, waiting alongside.


    Jane was off to check on the kids.


    In the room, Christine tidied up the suitcase she had rummaged through upon waking, snapped it shut, and picked it up without a moment''s hesitation.


    She didn''t even take a seat but looked straight at Merritt and asked, "Did I reallye back to this room on my ownst night?"


    Merritt''s gaze dropped, resembling a scolded puppy, though it was clear the submission was superficial, with a streak of defiance beneath. "Look, I haven''t been nagging you about... This is actually the first time for me..."


    Christine was unimpressed.


    She didn''t believe Merritt felt genuinely remorseful about taking the short end of the stick.


    He seemed to offer her the power to decide, but his words hinted at reminders.


    The actor in him was strong, always ready to y the part.


    Too bad.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    She wasn''t some naive teenager who could be easily convinced she owed him something.


    "You didn''t answer my question directly."


    Merritt looked up, meeting Christine''s scrutinizing gaze, "Listen, we started off as just having fun, nothing serious. But my feelings for you are real."


    "I genuinely want to treat you well. Choose me, and I''ll treasure you like no other. I don''t have any childhood sweetheart or a close friend I grew up with."


    "I won''t waver between you and another woman. I''ll always be firmly by your side."


    "But I''m not saying this to make you feel obligated aboutst night."


    "Because I share part of the responsibility for what happened."


    Christine listened without expression until he finished.


    "Is that your admission?" she asked.


    Merritt shook his head, "When you hugged mest night, I saw you weren''t in the right state. I should have refused, but I really like you, and I couldn''t resist."


    "So, I have to take half the me."


    Christine frowned, "So, you think you should take half the me, and that''s why you''re not pressuring me into making us an official item?" Merritt nodded, "That''s right."


    Christine saw he wasn''t going to be honest with her.


    She''d wait for the evidence then.


    She turned to leave with her suitcase.


    Merritt blocked her way, his gaze earnest, "Even if you don''t end up with me, or we can''t even be friends, I still need to warn you. Don''t rush things with Dailey. Watch him a bit longer."


    "After what happened with that other woman, his situation is moreplicated than ours. It''s easier to cut ties." Christine had no ill will towards Merritt initially.


    She saw his sincerity, enjoyed his affection, and if not for Dailey, she would''ve considered a serious rtionship with him.


    Moreover, she had thought aboutpensating him after the y, maybe cozying up to Be to score him more opportunities.


    Now, she was truly disappointed.


    But she didn''t me him.


    She med herself for stooping low to get Dailey''s attention, using this foolish method that led to the current predicament.


    "We''re nothing to each other now.


    Even if Gregory''s loaded, we


    shouldn''t waste resources. Eit


    leave the hotel or get your own room downstairs."