Chapter 1604


    She barely dared to breathe too loudly, terrified that any sign of her uneven breaths or racing heartbeat would give away how she truly felt, possibly leading to misunderstandings.


    It irked her, knowing full well that Lysander was head over heels for Rosalind, that Rosalind was the one he nned to marry. And yet, he''d go to such lengths to make Rosalind happy, even if it meant letting Susan metaphorically ''eliminate'' her, removing the thorn in Rosalind''s side once and for all.


    Despite understanding the futility of her feelings toward Lysander, that they could never be, she had resolved to treat him as a familiar stranger. But whenever he came too close, her body betrayed her, tingling uncontrobly, her heartbeat quickening. She despised this weakness in herself, thisck of control.


    Lysander gently lifted Thssa''s leg onto hisp, leaning in to inspect the bruise on her leg. It was just a bruise, no cuts or scrapes. He straightened up, his deep gaze meeting Thssa''s, and asked, "Do you have any ice at home?"


    "In the freezer, down below," Thssa replied. This was the first time she had held his gaze for more than a few seconds. Seeing his calm demeanor, she realized her leg was still resting on his, his thigh warm against her skin. The warmth spread up her leg to her heart, coloring her cheeks red.


    Thssa quickly withdrew her leg, stating, "I''ll get it."


    "Stay put, I''ll get it," Lysander insisted, making his way to the freezer. Soon, he returned with arge block of ice, pulled a throw from the couch to wrap it, and gently lifted her leg back onto hisp.


    Thssa realized what he intended and hurriedly offered, "I can do it myself."


    Ret


    "Don''t move," Lysander''s firm hand gripped her leg. Thssa stayed still, letting her leg rest on his. He held her ankle with one hand while reaching for the wrapped ice with the other. His fingers brushed her skin inadvertently, the roughness of his touch against her soft skin sending a shiver through her. Thssa stiffened, her heart skipping a beat. Thankfully, her reaction was internal, hidden from view, saving her from


    embarrassment.


    It was frustrating. No matter how many times she reminded herself to see Lysander as just another stranger, her body reacted to him with rming sensitivity. Lysander secured her leg, cing the ice on the bruised area.


    Once the ice was in ce, Lysander looked up at Thssa, "Why downy your injury?" Thssa fluttered her eyshes, avoiding his gaze, "I didn''t want you to feel indebted."


    "Do you really think we can live


    without owing each other anything?" Lysander''s voice was deep, husky unsettling Thssa''s heart. She knew the intensity of his gaze all too well, daring not to meet it, her eyes casting about aimlessly. N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    "Isn''t that what we''re doing now?" Thssa countered. Was she not distancing herself, letting go of all grievances to sever ties with him?


    A twinge of pain crossed Lysander''s


    heart. His voice deepened, "I was reckless, pushing your mother to testify at the police station against Bruce to pin the me on him That led Bruce to harbor resentment, unleashing those scandals.


    Those scandals had weighed heavily on Evelyn Pendleton, driving her to a breaking point.