Both of them were acutely aware that Keely didn’t harbor feelings for


    Jorge, rather, her affections leaned toward Marco.


    But Jorge had feelings for Keely and was her protector, so Marco had kept his distance, never


    confronting the situation.


    In his usual aloof manner, Marco said, “Jorge was always there for you.


    Even during your family’s trials, he never considered breaking off the engagement. Isn’t that enough?”


    Keely’s smile was tinged with sorrow.


    “Yes, Jorge was good to me, but what made it better was the chance to be closer to you, to be part of


    your world. In those days, when my family was in crisis and my health faltered, Jorge’s friends shielded


    me, and even you tended to me more than usual. I was overjoyed because I thought it meant I could


    finally be near you. But…”


    But the barrier of her rtionship with Jorge meant Marco could never truly bridge the gap between


    them.


    Keely always felt that what kept her and Marco apart was a single chance, and that he did reciprocate


    her feelings


    A sense of relief crept over Keely when Jorge fell into misfortune.


    Marco, maintaining his impassive demeanor, retorted, “Yet you were


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Jorge’s fiancée. He remembered you till his final breath.”


    Laughing, Keely admitted, “Indeed, Jorge died protecting you and left me in your care. I assumed it


    was destiny’s gift, a chance for us to be together. But instead, you cared for me more, yet kept a


    greater distance, never letting me in. Why? Why is that so?”


    Before Marco could respond, Keely burst out in bitter resentment. “Even when you didn’t give me a


    chance, I was the only woman who stood by you. I believed I could wait for you to ept me, but then


    you rushed off to marry that despicable Loraine! She was just a peasant girl, how could shepare


    up to me? Marco, why did you choose her?”


    Marco’s brow furrowed more deeply as he retorted frostily, “Enough,


    Ang’s Library


    Keely!”


    She was Lunatic and showed no respect to Jorge, who was now watching from above. Marco felt sorry


    for Jorge.


    Keely gritted her teeth, bitterness infusing her words. “No, it’s not enough! Why does Loraine matter so


    much to you? I was first in your world, Marco! I knew and loved you before she did. My love for you far


    outweighs hers. I should be the one you marry. I should be the young madam of the Bryant family!”


    Caught in her fervor, the knife pressed against her neck dug a little deeper, staining her pale skin with


    another streak of blood. Marco’s intense gaze focused on the knife, his voice echoing deep within the


    room.


    “Keely, what are you nning?”


    Lifting her chin defiantly, a wild resolve gleaming in her eyes, Keely challenged, “You wouldn’t want me


    dead, would you, Marco? If you don’t wish to betray Jorge’s dying wish and turn Loraine into a


    murderer, scorned by all, then marry me!”


    Before she could finish her sentence, a cold and clear voice interrupted from outside the room.


    “In your dreams! Marry Marco? Don’t even think about it!”