Chapter 22
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Jason was caught off guard, stumbling back several steps as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
“Stay away from her!” Daniel stepped in front of Maya, his gaze sharp as a blade. His voice carried an undisguised warning. “Touch her again and I’m calling the police.”
Jason wiped the blood from his mouth, his dark gaze shifting to Daniel before settling on Maya. Her expression remained calm, as if none of this concerned her.
“I see…” Jason let out a cold laugh, complex emotions churning in his eyes. “So you left me because of him?”
Maya stood up, brushing nonexistent dust from her skirt, and said indifferently, “Don’t think too highly of yourself, Jason Reid. I didn’t leave you because of anyone else.”
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Jason’s pupils contracted. He felt as if he had been punched squarely in the chest, making it hard to breathe. “Then why did you leave? We were…”
“There is no ‘we.” Maya cut him off, finally looking up at him with eyes cold as ice.
“Jason, don’t you already know? Those three years I stayed by your side
“Even?” Jason’s voice was almost a snarl. “Maya, do you really think ere only for money and freedom. Now the deal’s over. We’re even.‘
“What else?” She laughed lightly. There was no warmth in her
eyes.
we can be even?”
you
Jason’s face went deathly pale, as if he’d been stabbed. He opened his think I loved you?”
mouth but found himself speechless.
She was right. She had never said she loved by bapa d
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Even when he hurt her time and again, she had only endured it in silence, never showing she cared. Yet he had foolishly believed that her gentleness and patience came from love.
“Maya, let’s go.” Daniel put his arm around her shoulders. His voice was gentle, but his eyes were warily fixed on Jason.
M
Maya nodded and turned to leave.
“Wait!” Jason lunged forward to grab her wrist, but Daniel blocked him.
“Mr. Reid, please control yourself.” Daniel’s voice was cold as ice.
Jason’s gaze turned dangerously dark, his fists clenching audibly. “Who the hell are you to interfere in our business?”
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“Our business?” Maya finally turned back, her eyes filled with contempt. “Jason, have you forgotten? Your Sophia is waiting for you to come back.”
“There’s nothing between her and me!” Jason practically roared. “Those were all misunderstandings! I can explain-
“No need.” Maya cut him off, her tone terrifyingly calm. “What happens between you two has nothing to do with me.”
She paused, her gaze turning completely cold. “Jason, I’ll say this one last time. I never loved you.‘
”
Those words pierced his heart like a sharp blade. His breathing stopped abruptly, and he felt like he was sinking into an icy abyss.
Maya didn’t spare him another glance as she turned and walked away with Daniel. Her retreating figure was resolute and indifferent. It was as if they had never shared any connection at all.
Jason stood frozen, watching her figure gradually disappear from view. His chest churned with unprecedented pain and rage.
He couldn’t believe it. He refused to believe she had never loved him. He refused to believe all that tenderness and devotion had been nothing but pretense.
“Maya!” He suddenly shouted at her retreating figure, his voice terrifyingly hoarse. “You think this is how it ends? I’m telling you now that it’s impossible!”
Maya’s steps didn’t falter for even a moment. She didn’t even look back.
Jason’s fist slammed into a nearby tree trunk, his knuckles instantly bleeding. However, the pain in his hand was nothing compared to what tore through his heart.
He stared fixedly in the direction she had gone, his expression dark and manic.
“I won’t let go… Never.”
