Henry Edwards' words were like a sharp knife, slashing a bloody wound across Rachel Saintclair's heart. He said he might as well be dead, and she felt the same way. In fact, the pain she endured was even more intense.
He had merely lost his beloved girl, but she had to sacrifice her body and even her soul for her family, being unable to be with the one she loved. She had to deliberately choose hurtful words to force him away.
He strived with hatred, while she was mired in a quagmire, watching the light that was within reach drift further and further away.
"Then... what does that have to do with me?"
Rachel Saintclair stared into Henry Edwards' eyes, hearing her own voice, each word clearly resonating in the air. These words were so real that even she was astonished they came from her own mouth.
Traces of hurt appeared in Henry Edwards' eyes. His throat bobbed as he finally choked out, "You... you don't really mean that, do you?"
Rachel Saintclair smiled. "Henry Edwards, why deceive yourself?" She secretly clenched her fists and took a deep breath. If pushing him away three years ago hadn't made him give up and he still held onto hope, then today, she would make him understand.
"Everything comes at a price. The price of your further study abroad was losing me. I couldn't wait for you any longer, Henry Edwards. How many three - year periods does a woman have? If it takes you three years, or even thirty years, am I supposed to keep waiting?"
Henry Edwards' expression began to waver, and pain spread across his face.
"I can't wait anymore. I've fallen in love with someone else."
"... You're lying." Rachel Saintclair clearly saw the wounds in Henry Edwards' eyes deepen, yet he still refused to believe, to face the reality, still deceiving himself.
"If thinking this way makes you feel better, then fine." Rachel Saintclair spread her hands, feigning nonchalance. "But Henry Edwards, it's over between us."
However, as soon as she turned around, Henry Edwards grabbed her again with force. This time, he hugged her tightly, as if trying to crush her into his embrace.
"Rachel, it's my fault..." His voice carried a plea. "I shouldn't have blamed you. I failed to give you a sense of security. But I'm back, and I'll never leave again. Let's start over, okay?"
Rachel Saintclair's eyes instantly reddened... An "okay" almost slipped out of her mouth.
"Let's start over. Let me get to know you anew, okay?"
Starting over was exactly what she wanted.
But... it could never go back to the way it was.
"I don't love you anymore. How can we start over?" Rachel Saintclair coldly slapped his hand away and quickly broke free from his embrace.
Tears welled up in her eyes. If she didn't leave quickly, she was sure to break down in front of Henry Edwards.
However, Henry Edwards was determined not to let her go today. Rachel Saintclair had only taken a few steps when she was pulled back again. This time, instead of impatience, all she felt was fear.
The anger in Henry Edwards' eyes first caught her attention. But when he saw Rachel Saintclair's red eyes and the teardrops welling up, his anger instantly turned into shock.
"... Henry... Mmm..." Rachel Saintclair's eyes widened. She wanted to explain, but Henry Edwards didn't give her the chance. He leaned down and kissed her.
Her refusals and resistance were all silenced by this sudden kiss.
All her pretense crumbled in this kiss from Henry Edwards. Tears streamed down her face, cascading down her cheeks.
Henry Edwards' kiss was all too familiar. His scent filled her lips and teeth, the scent she had missed for three long years. But now, with this scent lingering in her nostrils again, it made her heart ache to the point of suffocation.
Even so, Rachel Saintclair still wanted to escape immediately.
She needed to flee to a place where he wasn't. Only then could she avoid implicating him. Henry Edwards was pure, as brilliant as a diamond, and shouldn't be dragged down by a woman as soiled as her.
Rachel Saintclair's hands trembled as she placed them on Henry Edwards' chest. She summoned up her courage and pushed with all her might. But her strength was no match for Henry Edwards'. Her action seemed more like a half - hearted resistance and shyness to him.
Rachel Saintclair grew anxious. Just as she was about to step on him with her high - heeled shoes, another voice suddenly reached her ears.
"It's a great honor for us that Mr. Winston has graced us with his presence today." Judging by the voice, it seemed to be Vincent White's.
Then, the voice that made Rachel Saintclair panic the most rang out. "Just passing by. Thought I'd drop in."
Rachel Saintclair's eyes widened in shock, and she forgot to resist. She had never expected to encounter Leonard Winston here. He definitely wouldn't come to such an occasion.
Even if he did come, that would be one thing, but this scene...
Rachel Saintclair closed her eyes in despair. Although she had anticipated the day when Henry Edwards and Leonard Winston would meet, she had never imagined it would be like this.
Perhaps she really owed these two men a great deal in her past life, which led to such entanglement in this life.
Rachel Saintclair's lack of resistance made Henry Edwards excited. The footsteps of the two gradually rounded the corner. Vincent White caught sight of the two in the corner and whistled brazenly.
Leonard Winston naturally looked in that direction too. But the man's tall figure completely enveloped the woman in a passionate kiss. From their angle, they couldn't see clearly what was going on.
Just...
Leonard Winston cast a cold glance and then turned his head away. For some reason, a wave of irritation welled up in his heart.
Returning to Celestial Cove today, he didn't see Rachel Saintclair. After asking, he learned that she had gone to Grove Restaurant to meet Henry Edwards. Thinking it was a good thing, and since he had mentioned meeting Henry Edwards before, he decided to go.
However, after sitting in the villa for a while, he felt extremely bored. Usually, the woman would be waiting for him at home whenever he returned. Leonard Winston was already used to it. But today, not seeing her made him feel restless all over.
After thinking for a while, he decided to go to Grove Restaurant himself and pick her up on the way back.
But when he arrived, he didn't see Rachel Saintclair.
As the footsteps gradually faded away, the heart that Rachel Saintclair had been holding in her throat finally settled. Relaxing, she realized that her back was soaked in cold sweat, and her legs were weak.
She couldn't stay in this place any longer!
She pushed Henry Edwards with all her might but couldn't break free. Rachel Saintclair got angry and bit Henry Edwards' lip hard.
The taste of blood filled their mouths. Henry Edwards winced in pain, and taking advantage of his distraction, Rachel Saintclair pushed him away forcefully.
She didn't say a word, just stared at him coldly. The passion in Henry Edwards' eyes gradually cooled down.
"Rachel Saintclair, you're so cold - blooded."
She clearly needed him just now, and she clearly still loved him in her heart. He could feel her tears, her vulnerability, and the longing in her heart. But why? Why!
Rachel Saintclair didn't say anything. She just looked at Henry Edwards coldly and then turned to leave.
This time, Henry Edwards didn't stop her.
Henry Edwards didn't even return to the private room. He sent a text message to Vincent White, saying that he wasn't feeling well and was going back.
On the other side, Rachel Saintclair also had the same thought of going back.
After thinking it over, Rachel Saintclair decided to call Leonard Winston. She was worried and wanted to know if Leonard Winston had seen what had just happened.
Fortunately, judging from Leonard Winston's tone, he didn't know it was her. Moreover, he took the initiative to say that he was also at Grove Restaurant and would be leaving soon, asking her to wait at the entrance.
Rachel Saintclair didn't want to be seen, especially by Henry Edwards. But Leonard Winston's tone was unyielding. He hung up the phone directly, not giving her a chance to discuss further.