Chapter 1035


    "What the hell is wrong with you? You''re the one who went on dates, and you''re the one who was


    giving me the cold shoulder. Why do you think it''s okay to treat me like this?" Esther felt aggrieved.


    This man was manipting her and trying to shut her out. Why was he suddenly interrogating her


    as if she was the one at fault?


    She thought James was a selfish man.


    "I have my reasons."


    Esther burst intoughter. "If you truly had reasons, you could just tell me. I''m genuinely curious.


    Let''s see how much of a burden you''re carrying and how unreasonable I am." She ced her hands


    on her hips, expecting his exnation to fall short.


    James rubbed his forehead, feeling helpless at her reaction. It was a serious matter, but somehow


    Esther''s response made it seemical, even though she wasn''t trying to be funny.


    "I''m doing this to protect you," he finally exined.


    Esther''s eyes grew wide. "Protect me?"


    "My parents arranged a marriage for me when I was a child, with a girl named Sabrina."


    Esther noted the name, Sabrina. She was a renowned diplomat, highly aplished at a young


    age. Esther didn''t disy any emotions upon hearing the name, but the revtion of a marriage


    arrangement since childhood surprised her.


    "A marriage agreement since you were a child?"


    "Yes, it was just a joke to my parents back then. They didn''t take it seriously, but Sabrina''s parents


    were determined for her to marry me, so…"


    Esther felt sympathy. "So your parents couldn''t handle the pressure and hoped you two would get to


    know each other. Is that why you went on the blind date?"


    James didn''t confirm explicitly, but his silence was telling.


    "Well, if that''s what your parents want, then you should spend time with her," Esther said sadly. "I''m


    just an actress. Your family wouldn''t approve of someone like me."


    Sabrina was a diplomat—young, aplished, and outstanding. Any family would be proud to


    have her. Who would want their son to marry a mere actress?


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


    James felt a surge of anger at her words. "So you''re just giving me up?" He had been putting effort


    into their rtionship, yet she seemed ready to give up.


    "But I think—" Esther began, tears welling up. If James had a great choice for a fiancee, why would


    he want her?


    "I know you''d feel inferior after hearing about Sabrina. I get it," James said with a hint of amusement


    at her expression. "But do you know we''ve grown up together and know everything about each


    other? There''s no romantic feelings between us…"


    Esther realized she was feeling sad for no reason. "Does that mean she''s interested in someone


    else?"


    She couldn''t believe it. Was Sabrina''s high standards the reason?


    James looked angry. "No, we''re just not interested in each other!"