?Chapter 196:


    He was the man she had loved deeply for so long, the one she had once thought was everything to her.


    Now, as she regarded him, there was no longer the adoration or reverence that once filled her eyes. Instead, she saw him as just another man—ordinary and wed. She had lost the urge to explore him.


    With a small gesture, she indicated the chair across from her.


    “Please, take a seat.”


    Taking a seat, Alexander apologized.


    “I’m truly sorry about the sketchbook.” Reaching into his bag, he pulled out a brand-new sketchbook and extended it toward her.


    “I hope this can make up for it.”


    Alexander, believing a gift would win her over, assumed she would appreciate and cherish it as a token of his apology.


    He convinced himself that Dani’s earlier visit to the Harper family, where she had asked about the old sketchbook, was merely an excuse to get closer to him, as Katrina had suggested.


    However, as he observed Dani’s expression, the indifference in her eyes pierced him.


    All he saw was a cold, distant look, devoid of the warmth he once relied on.


    “You don’t like it? If it’s not to your taste, tell me what kind you prefer, and I’ll have someone find it for you.” The humility in Alexander’s voice was a rare shift, revealing his desire to make amends.


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    Dani, of course, understood his intentions. A faint smile tugged at her lips, but she didn’t even look his way.


    “It’s fine. I don’t paint much these days, so it really doesn’t matter.”


    Alexander nodded.


    “I understand.


    Yourpany’s doing well now, so I imagine time is harder toe by. But once someone steps in to help share the load, things will be much easier.”


    Dani, without a word, lowered her gaze and continued cutting her steak, her focus entirely on the te in front of her.


    A flicker of frustration crossed Alexander’s face. He wasn’t ustomed to being shut out by Dani. Just as he opened his mouth to speak again, Dani had already set down her knife and fork.


    “I’m done. Are you?”


    Alexander looked down at his untouched steak, and, standing up, replied, “I’m not hungry.”


    Dani nodded, her voice soft but firm.


    “I’m tired. I won’t be seeing you out.”


    She then walked to the living room, silently organizing the sketches on the balcony, her face unreadable, her eyespletely distant from him.


    Alexander had no choice but to follow her silent cue and leave. Just as the door was about to click shut, a soft sound of footsteps caught his attention. He spun around, his curiosity piqued.


    To his surprise, it was Dani, who had just been in the living room moments earlier. She walked to the dining table, picked up the sketchbook he had just handed her, and without a second thought, tossed it into the trash can.


    For a moment, Alexander stood frozen, staring at her in disbelief. Dani met his gaze briefly, her eyes cool and distant.


    Under the harsh light, her eyes seemed bright yetpletely indifferent, her aloofness sharp. She nced at him for a fleeting second before turning away slowly.


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