Chapter 240


    Ian slumped against ra''s shoulder, recounting the whole ordeal from beginning to end. Then,


    with a weary expression, he murmured, “ra, if it hadn''t been for your heads-up that day, I might


    still be in the dark. It''s not Heidi''s betrayal that cuts deep, but the fact that my mother was in on it all


    along. How much must she despise me to torture me like this, to keep me living in perpetual guilt?”


    While he spoke, his breath, warm and damp, gently traced the contours of ra''s ear. It sent


    shivers down ra''s spine. Her voice grew husky. “Ian, let go of me.”


    Instead of releasing her, Ian pulled her closer, his teeth lightly nipping the soft flesh behind her ear.


    A low, pleading groan escaped his throat. “ra, I''ve missed you so much. Can I just hold you for a


    while?”


    “Ian, if you don''t let go now, I''m going to fight back.”


    Just as ra was about to knee him, her legs were swiftly entangled by his, immobilizing her.


    Before she could react, Ian lifted her onto the kitchen ind. His chiseled face loomed closer in her


    vision until their lips met in a hot, urgent kiss, and only then did she fully grasp what was happening.


    “Ian, you—mmmph!”


    Ian''s legs pinned her restless ones. One hand cradled the back of her head, and the other gripped


    her wrist, iming ra''s territory with dominant fervor.


    The kiss was passionate, desperate, tumultuous. Ian''s whole being roared with an uncontroble


    desire. Between kisses, he gasped out, “ra, I’ve missed you, truly, deeply, madly missed you.”


    He was consumed by the thought of her, to the point of madness, to sleepless nights.


    How many times had he reminisced about their three blissful years together?


    ra had poured all her love onto him. She loved him so fiercely, recklessly wanting to be with him


    at all costs. And yet, he had failed to cherish it, had let something so precious slip away.


    Feeling ra struggling for breath, Ian slowly eased the kiss. Tender pecksnded on her cheeks,


    her nose, and finally on her slightly damp eyes.


    Noticing the reddened corners of her eyes, Ian caressed them gently, his voice deep and rough with


    emotion. “ra, I''m sorry. I just missed you so much, I couldn’t help myself.”


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    ra, panting, felt tears roll down her cheeks. “Ian, whye back to haunt me? Wouldn''t it be


    better for us to go our separate ways?”


    “ra, I know I’ve hurt you in the past, and you''re scared to face this rtionship again. What if this


    time, I''m the one chasing you—would that be alright?”


    “But I don''t want to fall for you again, Ian. Can''t you just let me be?”


    Her tears fell freely, a testament to the toll her affection for him had taken. She couldn''t bear to put


    herself through that ordeal again. Once was more than enough.


    Ian''s heart ached like needles pierced it as he watched ra beg in agony. What kind of hurt must


    she have endured to fear being with him, the girl who once faced all challenges head-on?


    His eyes glistened as he looked at her, his voice thick with sorrow. “ra, I''m not asking for an


    immediate yes. Just give me a chance to court you. During this time, you can evaluate me. If I don''t


    measure up, then you can turn me down, okay?”


    He sounded so humble and cautious, as if fearing that any hint of anger from ra might cost him


    this opportunity.


    ra''s hardened heart wavered slightly. After all, Ian held the memories of her entire youth. She


    had blooming affections from the age of seventeen. Her heart had never harbored anyone else.