However, she couldn't find it in herself to be grateful to him when she recalled everything he'd done to her. There were times when he was just too cruel and heartless toward her.She didn't know how to face him, nor did she know what to say to him, making her feel awkward. She really hoped that she would wake up one day and never need to see him again. She really wished she could go back in time to her birthday and take back ever promising him anything. She really wished that she'd never met him because she was at a loss for how to deal with him. Scarlett's vision was getting blurrier, as if she were about to fall asleep. Perhaps it was the after-effects of the drugs from yesterday, but her head was still spinning, and all she wanted was to just go to sleep. Besides, if she was asleep, she wouldn't have to fret about how she was going to deal with Jonathan, and she could finally get away from the chatter of the world.Eventually, Scarlett fell asleep. She only woke up again at mid

Jonathan's face was incredibly angry as he spoke. "I did the right thing! He'd always accepted bribes throughout his career; I don't see how my accusations could be fabricated."It was nearly impossible for anyone to blame him for falsely accusing Brian. That jerk had always been underhanded and suffused with greed. If Brian had the guts to provoke him, then he deserved to suffer as well. Jonathan had no qualms about being rude, nor did he have the desire to ever keep his mouth shut.He didn't think he'd done anything wrong; to him, his actions were justified. He just hadn't expected his grandfather to catch wind of the incident so quickly. The Stantons must have played a role in reporting his interference to his grandfather. Otherwise, the old man would never have guessed that he was the one behind this!Besides, for the old man to know that Jonathan had only done all this for the sake of a woman was definitely more information than he could ever have gleaned from any of the news chan

Scarlett wasn't a masochist; she knew she no longer deserved to aspire for a future with Dylan, but, like all people, her restraint was finite. Tears trickled down her face, clinging to her cheeks. She couldn't bring herself to speak. Even if she could, she had no idea what to say. Nothing she could ever say would change the fact that she didn't belong here.Her tears prompted him to wrap his arms around her even tighter, his heart aching for the woman crying like a baby in his embrace. He couldn't bear to see her hurt. If he could, Dylan wished he could transfer all her pain to himself and bear it for her. He hated that things had come to this—he hated that he couldn't do anything to help her ease the burden on her shoulders other than hold her tight and watch her cry.When he spoke, his voice was tender, and his arms ran the length of her back, soothing her gently. "Hey, don't cry anymore. Do you know how much it hurts to see you cry? Where have you been these past few days? I tried

"Scar, I have something to tell you as well. I haven't told you everything—well, not exactly—so I don't want you to worry or feel guilty about not telling me what's bothering you. Everyone has their own struggles and things they find difficult to voice. I understand what it's like. You never have to feel bad when it comes to me. I'll always be able to accept you for who you are. I'll always be able to forgive you, no matter what it is."Dylan's expression was strangely off when he spoke, as if whatever it was that he hadn't told her was rather serious. Scarlett couldn't help but feel a little surprised, but she didn't ask him about what he was hiding, respecting how he hadn't pressured her to talk to him. She knew that she had no right to demand that he come clean when she was doing the exact same thing to him. Still, knowing that they were both on equal footing comforted her slightly. She felt more relieved not to be the only one keeping a secret.After that, a year went by before the

Knowing how stubborn Scarlett was, Dylan knew that their relationship would truly come to an end if he took the initiative to expose her and voice his truth. There was simply no other way around it. She was the woman he'd fallen in love with, and he'd continue to love her for the rest of his life. Despite the flocks of other attractive women that surrounded and flattered him, he couldn't bring himself to look at them the same way, not after he'd experienced what it was like to be with Scarlett. She was the only person in his heart, and he loved all of her—the good, the bad, and all the problems she inevitably brought him.He reached out and held her hand firmly. He wished he could transfer his heat to her icy fingers through their joined palms. How he wished she could feel the love he felt for her, how deeply it transcended any and every tangible emotion one could possibly feel. "Scar, didn't I tell you early on that no matter what happened, I'd never break up with you? I mean it. You