Chapter 1023


    "Maja," Ian began. The first time we ended up in bed together, I figured you were married. I mean,


    wasn''t it naive of me to think you hadn''t yet done the deed with your husband? When I returned from


    abroad, and we began our affair, I questioned if I was your first. You admitted you were married.


    Naturally, I would assume you''ve been with your husband hundreds of times. But that didn''t contradict


    my desire to sleep with you. My sense of morality wasn''t that strong."


    His hand gripped hers, a long pause before he added, “I was angry because I thought you were a flirt.


    This perception was my default. I felt you willingly entangled with other men, which made me seem


    insignificant to you. Naturally, I was upset."


    Ian had never spoken these words to anyone before. He lowered hisshes, his grip on her hand


    tightening.


    "It took me a long time to realize my feelings for you. Don''t break up with me."


    Maja felt as if the air around her had been stripped away as he spoke, leaving her breathless.


    Ian seemed like such a lonely person, needing someone by his side.


    But his pride wouldn''t allow him to open his heart to anyone.


    Maja realized that he had grown up in an environment where he was overlooked. The Raymond family


    preferred the rumored prodigal son, Eric.


    Her heart ached at the revtion, and the guilt of betraying him seemed to disappear.


    She grabbed his hand tightly.


    Ian kissed the back of her hand.


    "If you don''t want me to confront him, then I won''t. Not because I don''t despise him, but because I want


    to heed your words."


    Maja was left speechless.


    She had thought Ian was a terrible person, especially in bed, full of dirty talk.


    She figured all he cared about was sex, but his thoughts were incredibly delicate.


    Last night, he must have noticed the marks on her, but he didn''t ask.


    He found an excuse for her as she fumbled with her buttons in silence.


    Looking back, all those conversations were him covering for her.


    "Ian."


    Sometimes, she thought she understood him. Other times it felt like she didn''t know him.


    Ian set the destination for the restaurant into the GPS, then took a napkin and dabbed at the corners of


    her eyes.


    "We should go eat first."


    Only then did Maja realize she had begun to cry.


    She hastily took the napkin, drying her tears.


    "Okay."


    By the time they reached the restaurant, she hadposed herself.


    She had never opened up to Ian like this before, and he had never earnestly asked her not to leave


    him. The feeling of unworthiness she had harbored for so long disappeared.


    As they entered the restaurant, she spotted Beck sitting in a corner.


    She confidently took Ian''s hand and led him over.


    "Mr. Sanders."


    Beck turned, seeing the couple hand in hand. He couldn''t help but feel a sour pang of jealousy.


    He almost didn''t want to stay, and the whole restaurant was filled with the sickeningly sweet smell of


    love.


    His expression darkened as his gaze fell on Ian.


    Ian gracefully sat down beside Maja, first pushing the menu towards her.


    "Maja, what do you feel like eating?"


    Maja shook her head, "Whatever you order is fine."


    Ian raised a hand, ordering a couple''s meal without hesitation.


    After putting down the menu, he turned to Beck, sitting opposite to them.


    "I just ordered a couple''s meal. The food is for two, and there''s no room for a third wheel. Order


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    something for yourself."


    Beck clenched his fist in anger, grinding his teeth.


    Maja quickly tugged at Ian''s sleeve, not wanting them to cause a scene.


    Beck took a deep breath, feeling as though his anger was drying him out.


    He couldn''t even understand why he was so angry. All he knew was that he found Ian intolerable.


    His mood was absolutely terrible!