“So, after toying with my affections, you came back home, nning to marry another man?” Dane’s words came out almost as a hiss, his teeth gritted in barely contained fury.


    For years, he had been the one others sought to please, and now, he felt fooled for the first time.


    This realization stoked the fires of his anger.


    Susan’s voice was a mere whisper, her head bowed.


    “We were never officially together, were we?”


    “We weren’t?” Dane’s voice rose in disbelief.


    “Are you telling me that despite our kisses and the night we shared, we were nothing?”


    Susan could only shake her head.


    “That was an ident.


    ”


    Indeed, it had been an unexpected twist of fate.


    That day, a drugged Dane had crossed paths with Susan.


    When he asked if she was willing to help, she hadn’t known how to respond before he made his move.


    In the aftermath, Dane had insisted on taking responsibility.


    He had been attentive, picking her up from work and whisking her away on holidays- that marked the happiest period of Susan’s life, during which she had secretly fallen in love with him.


    “But I have told you that I will be responsible for you.


    Why are you nning to marry another man? Do you believe the Johns family is unworthy of you?” Dane’s piercing gaze bored into Susan, as he awaited her response.


    Susan bit her lip, a mixture of defiance and resignation coloring her tone.


    “That’s enough, Dane.


    I don’t need you to be responsible for She knew he didn’t Like her.


    ”


    She had overheard his conversation with others in his office.


    A nearly visible crack appeared in Dane’s usually imperious demeanor.


    After a long, tense moment, he slowly released Susan’s wrist.


    “So, you are serious? You would rather marry someone you barely know than be with me?”


    The pain in Susan’s heart was palpable, as if it were physically tearing her apart, yet she nodded firmly.


    “I see,” Dane muttered.


    After a pause, he added in a murmur, “Susan, remember what you said today.


    ”


    Turning on his heel, he strode away.


    Watching his retreating figure, Susan copsed to the floor, tears streaming down her face.


    A sudden wave of nausea overcame her, and she rushed to the sink, her body heaving though nothing came up.novelbin


    It was strange…


    Afterposing herself, she returned to her table.


    The man seated there looked up with concern.


    “What’s wrong? Do you feel unwell?”


    Looking into the eyes of the man who had the same fate as her, Susan replied, “I’m sorry, I’m fine now.


    ”


    “It doesn’t matter.


    If you feel unwell, let’s leave,” he suggested with the demeanor of a true gentleman.


    Susan simply nodded in agreement.