Chapter 1693


    As he spoke, his breath tickled the delicate skin behind Hertha''s ear, sending a shockwave of sensations - a mix of tingles, numbness, and itchiness through her. Hertha''s body shivered, snapping back to reality. She ced her hands on his chest and pushed him away, blinking rapidly in denial, "Since when did I admit to being your future wife? Don''t tter yourself."


    Despite her loud and assertive tone, Hertha''s heart was racing uncontrobly, her eyes darting away from ric''s gaze. When did ric be so cunning and maniptive, baiting her into his trap so effortlessly? He had fabricated a story, iming his future wife had asked him to call her "mom", just to trick her into revealing she hadn''t asked for such a thing. So childish! What good did winning an argument do? "You''re backtracking on your own words not even a minuteter?" ric crossed his arms, looking at her leisurely.


    "As for reneging on promises, no one beats you at that game!" Hertha countered, hands on her hips, visibly frustrated. "How have I ever reneged on my promises?" ric retorted.


    "You were the one who said you''d be responsible and that you only had eyes for me! That was the only reason I agreed to... you know. And then, you were off with Georgia in a heartbeat! Your words never meant anything;pared to you, I''m barely a drop in the ocean!" Hertha''s anger escted with every word. The sight of ric and Georgia together in bed three years ago was a hurdle Hertha could never ovee.


    ric''s mischievous expression darkened, his tone somber, "So, you''d rather raise our child alone than contact me because of that?"


    He had thought it was because Angelina offered her two million dors to leave him, wounding her pride, that she had so ruthlessly kept him in the dark. So, it was because of that.


    Hertha turned away, huffing, "You can think of it that way!"


    "That night, I was drunk. I thought it was you..." ric stepped closer, his hands reaching for her shoulders, trying to exin earnestly.


    The moment he touched her, Hertha recoiled as if electrocuted, "Don''t touch me!"


    She stepped back quickly, her chest heaving, her eyes misty, "Do you know how Thssa broke up with Leopold?"N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ric frowned, his gaze turning mncholy.


    Hertha let out a bitterugh, tears spilling from her eyes, "Leopold stept with Thssa''s cousin. Later, he tried to exin that he mistook her cousin for Thssa. Thssa broke up with him decisively!"


    "I never understood Thssa''s decision, but now I get itpletely." Hertha wiped away her tears.


    "Please leave, I''m exhausted and need to rest. You can visit the child whenever you want, but there''s no chance for us," Hertha said sadly, turning towards her room.


    ric didn''t leave; instead, he followed her insisting stubbornly, "Who says it''s impossible just because you say so? I refuse to ept a breakup! Hertha, I don''t get it. Before meeting you again, I''ve been with many women, and you didn''t mind. Why can''t you let go of that one time with Georgia?"


    Hertha spun around, her chest heaving, tears mixing with her words, "Because I saw it with my own eyes, ric. How can thatpare to anything else?"


    Hertha was on the verge of hysteria; loving someone was so exhausting. Despite the insurmountable obstacle in her heart, knowing she should let go, she couldn''tmand her heart to do so.


    ric stood frozen, his narrow eyes wounded by her tears, his heart in turmoil. Moved by a sudden impulse, he stepped forward, enveloped Hertha in his arms, and kissed her passionately.