?Chapter 296:


    Dani went quiet, her thoughts momentarily drifting. She shut her eyes, releasing a long, slow breath. When she spoke again, her voice was soft, almost a whisper.


    “Because I’m embarrassed.”


    She felt ashamed of who she had been—someone so consumed by her feelings for Alexander. Now, confronting Alexander’s twisted conclusions and selfish assumptions, all she could feel was regret.


    As if that wasn’t enough, Cedric, who was usually so perceptive, had just asked her if she still had feelings for Alexander. Dani closed her eyes once more, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging within her.


    Just as she found a moment of stillness, Cedric’s voice broke through, low and steady.


    “Dani, love me. I’ll be loyal to you for the rest of my life.”


    Throughout the drive back, Dani remained silent, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery.


    When they arrived at Elite Lux, she reached to unbuckle her seatbelt, only to feel Cedric’s hand clutching the sleeve of her jacket.


    Dani nced down at his hand. His fingers, long and tense, were gripping her sleeve so tightly that the tips were turning white.


    Cedric noticed her looking, and for a brief moment, his fingers gave a small, almost hesitant twitch. But instead of releasing her, he gripped her sleeve even tighter, as if letting go wasn’t an option.


    Dani lifted her eyes to meet his.


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    Beneath the bright lights of Elite Lux’s grand entrance, she saw the resolute determination etched on Cedric’s face.


    With a quiet sigh, she said simply, “Let go.”


    Instead of obeying, Cedric’s grip grew firmer.


    His jaw tightened before he spoke, his voice low but brimming with emotion.


    “Tell me, Dani, what makes Alexander better than me? Why does he get a chance, and I don’t? Whatever it is you don’t like about me, I’ll change it. Just tell me!”


    Dani remained quiet, her lips pressing into a thin line.


    After a moment, he let go of her sleeve. His shoulders sagged, and in a softer tone, he muttered, “Never mind. Just go upstairs.” The sudden shift in his tone caught Dani off guard. It was clear Cedric didn’t want to release her, but he couldn’t bring himself to force her into an ufortable situation. He hated seeing her upset and refused to be the reason behind her distress.


    Dani thought about giving a simple excuse to brush him off. But when she looked at Cedric, with his quiet patience and sincerity, she realized she couldn’t bring herself to lie. So she chose to tell the truth.


    Sitting up straighter, she met his gaze and began to speak slowly.


    “Cedric, you’re a kind person, truly. But you’ve seen everything that’s happened to me, haven’t you?”


    Cedric lifted his head, his eyes searching hers.


    The soft glow inside the car cast shadows across her face, leaving half of it obscured in dim light as she sat upright.


    “I once tried with everything I had to chase after Alexander,” she continued, her voice steady but distant.


    “The entire city saw it, so there’s no need for me to rehash the story. I thought I loved him, thought I wanted him more than anything. But the day our divorce was finalized, all I felt was relief. That’s when I understood that no matter how much you think you love someone, those feelings can erode. Little arguments, tiny cracks, day by day, they break even the strongest connections. In the end, most rtionships are built on shared goals, not passion or romance. Take Caiden, for example. He adored my mother. If she so much as took a sip of coffee, he’d fret over whether it was too hot. If she went to a party, he’d stand outside the vi all night, just waiting. I thought that was the greatest love anyone could ask for. But what happened? Not even a week after my mother died, Katrina moved into her room, took her spot, and sat at her dressing table like it was hers all along. I’ve seen all kinds of ugliness in life, but nothingpares to the darkness that people hide in their hearts. Mine’s been empty for a long time. I have nothing left to offer. Cedric, you’re special. I truly hope you find someone equally special, someone who can give you what you deserve. Do you understand?”


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