Chapter 259

Anna Ross stood frozen in place.

When had she ever said she liked him?

But since he had already heard, she no longer bothered to hide it.

She raised a hand to press against his chest, stopping him from coming closer.

"Adrian Sinclair."

"Since you already know."

"I'll be direct."

"I stopped liking you a long time ago."

"From the day we broke up three years ago."

"I've had no feelings for you since then."

She forced down the ache in her heart, making herself meet his gaze.

Adrian continued to advance, his sorrowful eyes locked on her.

Anna tried to retreat, but he grabbed her wrist.

His grip was firm, and she winced in pain.

He pulled her close, leaning down to stare at her face.

"I don't believe you."

"You're lying to me."

"Aren't you?"

He pressed on with stubborn intensity.

Anna turned her face away, but he caught her chin and forced her to look back.

"Anna Ross."

"Tell me."

"Everything you just said was a lie."

A sharp pain shot through her jaw.

She closed her eyes and countered, "Is this really necessary?"

"You already know the answer."

They shouldn't have met again.

They shouldn't be entangled like this.

It was better for everyone this way.

Adrian's eyes reddened, a vein throbbing at his temple.

His voice trembled. "I don't believe it."

"It's all lies."

It sounded like both a mutter to himself and an accusation.

Anna lowered her gaze, feeling his hand shake slightly.

But she no longer had the right to turn back.

She pushed him away harshly and stepped back.

Her voice was icy. "Adrian Sinclair."

"Stop deceiving yourself."

"What you saw and heard."

"Was all real."

"This is who I am."

The words "I stopped liking you a long time ago" stuck in her throat, unspoken.

Her nails dug into her palm.

It hurt, but not nearly as much as the pain in her chest.

She pressed a hand over her heart.

Why did it hurt so much?

She had known all along it was impossible.

Yet she had still held onto hope.

Now it was time to wake up from the dream.

But she couldn't feel any sense of relief.

Adrian collected himself, his eyes fixed on her.

His voice was low and hoarse. "Anna Ross."

"Is Howard Lowell threatening you?"

"Tell me the truth."

He took two steps forward.

She immediately retreated.

"If he's threatening you."

"Tell me."

"I'll help you."

"I won't let him succeed again."

He stopped two meters away.

After all this, couldn't she just give in?

Anna looked at his desolate figure, her heart trembling with pain.

Don't be like this.

That brilliant, spirited young man shouldn't be brought down by someone like her.

Adrian Sinclair.

You deserve a better life.

Not one tangled up with me.