Chapter 438
Chapter 438:
She didn’t want things to get awkward, so she broke the silence softly.
“Rick, you’re drunk p>
But Richard’s voice was steady.
“I’m more sober than ever.” He took a deep breath, his voice hoarse.
“You have no idea how much pain I’ve been in these past three years. I regret every moment. I met you just a little later than Ryan did, and all I could do was watch you marry him. I couldn’t handle it, so I left and stayed abroad. Hearing about your divorce was the only thing that brought me back. But why are you still tangled up with him p>
His emotions were raw, his face etched with anger and frustration.
Seeing him like this made Jenessa feel both strange and a bit scared.
“Rick, you misunderstood. Ryan and I cut all ties a long time ago,” she explained patiently.
Richard’s eyes brightened. He grabbed her shoulders eagerly.
“Then can you be with me p>
Jenessa pushed him away instinctively.
“No, it’s impossible p>
“Why? What’s the reason?” Richard shouted, his voice breaking.
Jenessa felt a growing sense of unease and fear. Richard’s expression was one of deep hurt.
“Do you still love Ryan?” he asked, gritting his teeth.
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Jenessa pressed her lips together, unsure how to explain. To her, Richard had always been like a brother. She couldn’t imagine dating him.
Richard, unaware of her thoughts, felt an unbearable pain. Years of waiting had pushed him to his limit.
“Please stop treating me like your brother. I’m done with it!” he exclaimed.
Blue veins stood out on his forehead as he lost control and bent down to kiss her forcefully.
Jenessa’s eyes widened in shock. She didn’t react until she felt a sharp pain on her lips.
“Let me go!” she shouted, pushing him away and slapping him hard.
The slap brought silence. Jenessa’s breath came in quick, unstable gasps as she stared at him in disbelief. She couldn’t comprehend that Richard would do something like this.
Her slap had split the corner of his mouth, causing it to bleed, but he seemed oblivious. His eyes still burned with intensity as he looked at her.
“Are you crazy?” Jenessa finally managed to say, still in shock.
Richard laughed bitterly.
“Crazy?” He looked at Jenessa, a bitter smile on his face.
“Jenessa, I went crazy three years ago. I’ve been pretending all this time, but no matter what I did, you still love Ryan p>
He lifted his hand to touch her face, but Jenessa quickly stood up, her eyes wary.
In that moment, Richard seemed almost dangerous to her.
Seeing her reaction, his eyes filled with disappointment. He smiled hoarsely.
“I’m already tired of it. You’ve always seen me as a brother, never as someone you could date. Can you see my feelings now? I’ve been in love with you for a long time. This isn’t brotherly love p>