Chapter 430


    Michael''s hand paused for a moment after he heard what I said. He frowned at the very next moment


    and turned around. In a deep voice, he asked, “Anna, are you really that eager to make me leave? Do


    you really hate me that much?”


    His voice was soft as well. It carried a hint of dissatisfaction, but he wasn''t angry at me.


    “I don''t want to see you again because I don''t want you to mess my mind up. Michael, please. I beg of


    you. Please don''t show up in front of me again. Will you do that? What do I have to do to get you to


    leave me be? Or are you trying to chase me out of the country again?”


    I looked into his eyes and lost control of my voice. I could tell my tone was getting more and more


    agitated as I spoke. My mind kept showing me the memory of how he helped clean me up. The


    tenderness he showed... It truly worried me. I honestly didn''t know how to deal with him.


    He looked into my eyes, but he didn''t respond. Still, I could see the disappointment and pain in his


    eyes. I wasn''t sure if that was just an illusion, though. Are his eyes even capable of showing that kind


    of emotion?


    “I won''t show up for the next few days, and I''ll give you some time to cool off. However, you should


    know that you will only ever be mine. No other man will ever have you.”


    Michael spoke in a domineering tone, and his eyes shone with determination.


    Looking into his eyes and sensing his resolution, I knew he wasn''t joking about anything, and I


    panicked. I didn''t know how to interact with him when his eyes were glowing that way.


    The silver lining was that he imed he wouldn''t show up for the time being. That allowed me to sigh a


    breath of relief because, at the very least, we wouldn''t have any contact for the next few days.


    Michael carried me out of the tub afterward and wrapped me up in a towel. Then, he ced me on the


    bed. I kept quiet the entire time.


    I assumed he would leave after setting me down on my bed, but he rested beside me instead and


    closed his eyes.


    Speechlessness engulfed me as I stared at the man. Just moments ago, he promised he would leave


    me alone for the time being. Has he already forgotten what he said? Fuming, I red at Michael and


    wished that he would recall the promise he made earlier when we were in the showers.


    It seemed he couldn''t sense my re, though, as he kept on resting with his eyes closed. He might


    actually have forgotten that there was someone there with him.


    I frowned. I wanted to remind him of the promise, but I didn''t want to talk to him, so I gave up on that


    thought.


    Too much had happened that day, and I truly was exhausted, so I fell asleep soon after.


    When I woke up the next morning, I thought I would see Michael still sleeping beside me, but


    surprisingly, he was gone. I sighed a breath of relief. I guess today''s the day he stops showing up.


    Just then, my phone rang. I picked it up and realize Michael had sent me a text. The relief I felt earlier


    faded, and I panicked once more. Didn''t he say he''ll stop getting in touch with me for a few days? He


    just left this morning, so why is he texting now?


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


    Despite my anxiety, I opened the text and read the content. He told me to take the time to readjust my


    emotions and said he wished he wouldn''t have to see my sorrow the next time we meet.


    Warmth spread out in my heart when I saw his text. I knew he had an ulterior motive, but I couldn''t stop


    myself from loving him.


    When I showed up at the office, everyone was gossiping. The bits I overheard suggested that they


    were talking about Nichs, and I recalled what he did to mest night at his ce. That made me feel


    a little angry.


    If we were as close as we used to be, I would go ask how he was doing and check up on him.


    However, I had no intention of caring for him whatsoever at that moment.


    I didn''t know why, but I kept getting the feeling that everyone was staring at me. Did they find out what


    Nichs did to mest night?


    No, that''s not possible. It happened at Nichs'' ce, so there''s no way they''d know anything about it.


    I must be overthinking it.


    When I reached my office, I sat down and focused on my work. I didn''t want to think about all the


    drama, but fate had a funny way of making thingse to me.


    Nichs didn''t knock on the door before he entered my office. When I saw him there, I frowned angrily.


    I was disappointed with him after what happenedst night and seeing him only infuriated me more.


    “I thought you''d skip work today, Anna. I tried calling you, but you never picked up.”


    Nichs'' voice was filled with anxiety, and the way he looked at me suggested that he was nervous.


    I tilted my head up and scanned the guy. He looked a little off. Or rather, he was downright disheveled.


    The injury Michael inflicted on him yesterday was still in in sight.


    “What are you doing here?”


    I red over icily and made sure I used my stoic voice when I spoke.


    I didn''t even bother looking at him. Just thinking about what he didst night left me drowning in anger.


    I regarded him as a friend and trusted him. That was why I went to his ce to cook for him, only to


    have him do something so heinous to me in return.


    That incident had changed the way I treated him, and all I felt was disgust when I saw him.


    “As I said, I thought you''d skip work today, Anna.”


    He seemed guilty when he looked at me, and his eyes were shining with shame. I knew why he


    repeated that sentence, and it seemed he had realized he made a mistake.


    “This is my workstation, so why wouldn''t I be here?”


    I stared icily at him. I didn''t want to think about what happenedst night because he would likely have


    raped me if I hadn''t fled in time.


    Nichs'' expression shone with even more guilt when he saw how stoic I was. The way he looked at


    me also told me that he was ashamed of himself.


    “I should apologize for what happenedst night. I was impulsive and did something evil. There was no


    excuse, but Anna, please trust me. I honestly didn''t mean to hurt you. It''s just... I love you too much,


    and I couldn''t control myself for a moment there. That''s the only reason that happened...”


    Nichs looked into my eyes and was nervously exining the situation.


    I frowned a little and ignored himpletely. If a random apology was all it took to make up for a


    mistake like that, then world peace would already be a reality.