After Refusing to be Luna, I Marked the Alpha's Shadow Chapter 24

He resisted yet couldn't help anticipating my charity.

Yes, charity.

He knew clearer than anyone that I didn't love him.

These words were like a knife stabbing into his chest, hanging over his head.

In the quiet stairwell, no one spoke.

Liam leaned against the wall, voice trembling. "But shouldn't I hate you? Can't I hate you?"

He looked up again, eyes red, tears swirling. "You left me alone in memories for four whole years!"

"For four years I dreamt of you every day. You said you liked me, said you'd stay with me forever, said you'd wait for me to return."

"I knew it was fake! But what could I do if I didn't lie to myself? What if I woke up?"

Tears streamed down Liam's face. He wailed.

"I could only lie to myself, tell myself you were waiting at the training ground where we met, waiting at the end of pain, waiting in a world without lies!"

"But I finally came back! I came back! And you shattered all my dreams!"

He trembled all over, grabbing my arm.

"You were fake from start to finish! Only the phrase 'I don't love you' is true!"

"Harper, I hate you!"

*Bang—* The stairwell door pushed open.

I looked up and saw Ethan standing at the top of the stairs, looking down at us.

My heart trembled. I pushed Liam's hand away.

"Okay, you've said enough. I don't want to hear it."

I turned to leave. Liam suddenly said, "Did you forget the first thing I said?"

I paused. Liam wiped his tears. His eyes were red, staring at me unblinkingly, handing the contract to me.

"Ten billion or marry me. Harper, you have no choice."

I pressed my lips tight, about to speak, when Ethan suddenly took my hand and walked back to the apartment.

In the bedroom, Ethan silently dried my hair with a towel.

His hands were a bit heavy. I tugged his sleeve carefully. "Sorry."

"Sorry for what?" Ethan's voice was calm. Close up, I smelled the cedar on him.

I said, "I said I wouldn't see Liam. I lied."

Ethan was silent.

"And..." I said, "And that engagement seems to cause trouble for you too. But I'll solve it myself, you..."

"Are you stupid?" Ethan suddenly spoke.

I paused. Ethan said, "If I didn't see it today, did you plan to solve it yourself?"

He pressed his lips tight. "Keeping everything from me... am I your mate or not?"

I shook my head. "No, I'm just afraid of causing you trouble. Afraid you..."

Afraid you'd get annoyed. Afraid you'd leave me because of the entanglement with your brother.

My eyes reddened. I wanted to push Ethan's hand away, but was suddenly pressed onto the bed.

Ethan's thumb brushed the corner of my eye. "Maybe I never told you, I love you."

I froze. Under my shocked gaze, Ethan lowered his head to kiss me.

"Loving you like you love me."

"So, don't worry about trouble. To me, you are never trouble."

My lashes trembled. Hot tears suddenly fell.

I choked out a "Mmh" and looked up to deepen the kiss.

The next day, Blackwood Manor.

Ethan sat in the garden. The butler brought tea. Maria personally took it and placed it in front of Ethan.

"This is Earl Grey, just arrived last week. Liam loves it, you..."

She looked at Ethan, voice suddenly hoarse. "You... you're finally willing to see me."

Ethan's hand by his side slowly clenched. He took the tea but didn't drink.

After a long time, he said, "Auntie Maria... no, maybe I should call you Mother."

Maria trembled all over, tears falling freely.

"I... I'm sorry to you. I'm sorry."

Ethan gripped the teacup. "I came to ask you for one thing."

"Say it, say it." Maria said, "Mom agrees to anything."

Ethan's eyes suddenly felt sour. He frowned, held it back, and spoke calmly.

"I want to ask you to annul the engagement between Liam and Harper."