Chapter 552


    Steven stood in front of the door.


    At six feet and two inches tall, he had to look down slightly to meet Annie’s eyes. As Annie looked


    up at Steven, she suddenly felt distant.


    This sense of alienation left her standing at the door. It was as if her feet were glued to the floor.


    She couldn’t lift them to step inside.


    It was.apletely different feeling from when she saw him that afternoon.


    When he saw her that afternoon, Steven’s eyes shone brightly. It was the kind of light one has when


    looking at a beloved–firm and full of strength.


    It was as if he could give her the whole world and shield her from harm, keeping her safe under his


    care. Even though his strength might not be that great, he would use all his power to keep her safe.


    But now, Steven’s eyes held only a faint coldness as he looked down at Annie. There was no trace


    of the affection she had seen earlier.


    Annie’s heart tightened, and she spoke with a strained voice, “Steven.” Steven nced outside and


    replied in a low voice, “Come in, let’s talk.” “Okay.” Annie walked in with heavy steps. She sat down


    on the couch. Thefort of the couch did little to dispel the cold she felt inside.


    “Why did youe to find me?” Steven asked.


    Annie’s heart skipped a beat. “You don’t trust me anymore, do you?”


    “I do like you genuinely, Annie, but you shouldn’t deceive me. I may not like using maniption on


    people around me, but that doesn’t mean I don’t understand it,” Steven said calmly.


    Annie’s heart pounded as she listened. She felt her eyes welling up with tears. She couldn’t stay


    seated on the couch any longer.


    She stood up abruptly. She exined, “No, Steven, it’s not like that. There have been


    misunderstandings, but what I’ve told you is true. I know there’s been a profound misunderstanding


    between Skr and me. I understand Skr’s doubts about me.


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    “But Steven, since wemitted to this rtionship, you said the key tosting is mutual trust. So


    why are you suddenly doubting me?”


    “I did say those words, but I also said there shouldn’t be lies between two people. Annie, everything


    you’ve said so far still seems self–serving and full of deceit. I understand why you approached me.”


    Steven’s words were powerful.


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    His words weren’t heated. Even his demeanor remained calm.


    Yet every word struck Annie’s heart like a blow. Annie looked at Steven in confusion, her facé


    turning pale. “What did Skr say to you that made you believe her so unquestioningly?”


    She couldn’t understand it. She had taken the initiative. She hade to see Steven early.


    Besides, she had admitted to certain things first. This approach should have made Steven trust her


    first and then question Skr.


    Annie couldn’t believe he would trust Skr’s words instead of hers.


    “When you ask the question, it shows you’re feeling guilty. Annie, you’re someone I’ve genuinely


    liked. But some things don’t need to end messily. Let’s part amicably,” Steven stated. He proposed


    a breakup with Annie.


    Annie staggered, nearly falling over. She looked at Steven in disbelief. “What did you say? Break


    up?”


    “There’s no need for us to see each other again.” Steven’s voice remained cold and resolute.


    The moreposed he was, the more he understood the distance that had grown between him and


    Annie during their recent interactions.


    Initially, he had mistaken this distance for a woman’s reserve or simply the dynamics of a boyfriend–


    girlfriend rtionship,.or perhaps it was because his sense of security for Annie wasn’t sufficient.


    Today, after learning some truths, he was suddenly clear. It was because he was merely a means to


    an end for her.


    Annie’s heart raced, and she instinctively grabbed Steven’s arm.