?


    Dailey furrowed his brow, "You''re not getting what I''m saying, or..."


    "I get it," Christine interrupted, her tone firm. "You''re using Nelly to protect me."


    "But I don''t have to."


    "Nelly made her mistakes, sure, and she should face the consequences for those."


    "But being my human shield isn''t something she''s obliged to do."


    "And I certainly don''t need her to y that role for me."


    "If I''m with you, I''m fully prepped for whateveres flying our way."


    "But Dailey, we''re not together anymore."


    With that, Christine tried to slide off hisp.


    Dailey''s grip on her slim waist tightened, "I never wanted us to break up. I agreed because I didn''t want to see you unhappy."


    "But if you want to be with Merritt, I can''t just go along with that."


    When they were deeply in love,munication never seemed to be an issue.


    They had their share of happy, sweet moments at her ce.


    But since the talk of splitting up began, Christine noticed more and more problems.


    It wasn''t something a simple "I love you" could fix.


    Truth be told, she appeared carefree, but when it came down to it, everything mattered to her.


    The time she couldn''t get in touch with Dailey and felt truly upset, it was more than just irritation; it led her to consider breaking up seriously.


    That conversation with Madge only added to her resolve.


    She always talked big, never showing defeat.


    But when left alone with her thoughts, she''d begin to second-guess herself.


    With Dailey, it was all about the thrill at first, and she should have stuck to that philosophy.


    Getting emotionally involved was never the n.


    But at least she pulled away quickly.


    She didn''t let herself get stuck in a no-win situation.


    "Dailey, I don''t love you anymore. This clinging, it''s pointless and frankly, beneath you."


    Darkness clouded Dailey''s features.


    "Just like that, you don''t love me anymore? After just a few days?"


    Christine smiled, a trace of


    et


    bitterness in her voice, "At first, it was just because you were so persistent, and I thought, ''Why not? He''s got the looks and the build might as well have some fun


    swne


    "That''s all."


    Dailey had his pride, something Christine was well aware of.


    Despite his down-to-earth appearance, seeming so devoted to her, he was always the one in control.


    So, if she wanted to break awaypletely, she''d have to hit where it hurt.


    But she didn''t expect Dailey to defy her expectations.


    "Christine, you don''t have to provoke me. Even at my craziest, I know what I want."


    Christine observed Dailey for a moment, then suddenly smiled, "Remember what you once told me?"


    "I''ve said a lot."


    "You


    tracing the lines of his face, "yo


    said you wouldn''t cage me in. That


    - Christine reached out,


    I''d


    I be free." Content


    swelongs to


    "But what are you doing now? Trying to lock me up?"


    Dailey caught her hand, his expression turning stern, "I said, being in a rtionship with me


    timit your freedom. Youne


    could stay true to your character without having to change forme."


    swno


    "But now you want to break up. If I don''t hold on to you, you''ll end up in someone else''s nest."


    His words wereced with frustration.


    Christine''s reply was calm, detached: "But I don''t like that."


    Silence suddenly engulfed the car.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Quinn, who was driving, dared not even breathe too loudly.


    If he hadn''t lost at rock-paper-scissors, he wouldn''t be stuck driving this time bomb.


    Luckily, they arrived at the hotel.


    He parked the car in the underground garage and quickly made himself scarce.


    As the car stopped, Christine moved to get out.


    But Dailey wouldn''t let go.