Jacob changed his demeanor after Mariana ran away.


    James wanted to follow her but was held back by Jacob.


    “Mer’s boyfriend, James, right?” Jacob asked.


    “Let go!” James roared.


    “What’s the rush? Let’s chat,” Jacob said and let go of him gesturing to a chair.


    James sat down begrudgingly.


    “My name is Jacob Tanner. Mer and I were friends in college. I am her closest friend after Liliana.”Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Jacob introduced himself with his rtionship with Mariana. That made James rx.


    “James Miller. Mariana’s boyfriend.” James said haughtily. He still did not like this Tanner in whose arms Mer wasughing. Whenever he held her, she would always try to get away.


    “Mr. Miller, if you are Mer’s boyfriend, may I ask why you were kissing your ex-girlfriend even missing your appointment with Mer?” Jacob asked directly which made James’s eyes widen.


    James muttered, unsure of why he was exining to this guy, “I have nothing to do with Alice. I ran into her and we got into an argument which made mete. And what do you mean by kissing my ex-girlfriend?”


    Jacobughed, “I have never known anyone who argues with their exes by kissing while supposedly being in a rtionship with another.”


    He turned all serious and said before James could retort, “I don’t know what game you are ying, but Mer is a family to me. Hurt her and I will make sure to have my revenge.”


    Jacob left before James could digest his words.


    But when he did digest his words, two things were clear.


    Somehow, Mariana had seen it when Alice had jumped him.


    Jacob was Mer’s best friend and they did not have any unusual rtionship.


    James thought it was easy to resolve their misunderstanding and called Mariana. But she hung up again and again.


    But James relented and continued to call her. Frustrated, she switched off her phone.


    Mariana ran away from James and went to the beach.


    Beaches were her go-to ce when she was overwhelmed, well, after Liliana.


    However, the day seemed to have no respite since James found her there in two hours.


    James did not want to continue his misunderstanding with Mariana and asked one of his buddies to track her. He found her sitting on top of arge stone on the beach, looking very vulnerable and lovelorn.


    His heart melted at the sight and he vowed to never hurt her again. But s it was a vow he was not fated to keep.


    Mariana was so lost in thought that she did not realize when James had arrived and sat behind her on therge rock.


    She kept thinking about everything and nothing, but could not make sense of anything.


    James was just taking his revenge. That was an indisputable fact.


    But his actions in the past month had confused her. He was very patient and gentle.


    If not for the bad blood between them, she would have believed that they really were dating.


    But she knew the truth.


    He did not like her. He did not love her. He just wanted to hurt her. And he had seeded.


    James watched her as she drowned in mncholy and unknown helplessness built up in his chest.


    He slowly patted her back and when she turned, he hugged her in his arms.


    He mumbled, “I am sorry. I am so sorry. I did not kiss Alice, she jumped me and I pushed her away immediately. I rinsed my mouth afterward and threatened her to stay away from me and you. Please don’t be mad. I am sorry.”


    James continued to say soothing words to her until she calmed down and stopped resisting him.


    James pulled apart so he was looking into her eyes, “Mer, I know we started off the wrong foot and with wrong intentions. But please give us a chance, baby. I really want to make us work. Please!”


    “Please Mer. Let’s not fight anymore, okay. I am sorry. Please!”


    Mariana kept quiet, unsure of how to answer. It was clear that James had made a decision and he would shamelessly keep hovering over her. She did not need to agree, but she felt like it was the beginning of an end.