âI really think a girl like that would be perfect for you.â
âBut Iâm not into that kind of person.â he replied, clearly uninterested.
âWhat?â Regina looked up, her eyes wide with disbelief. âIt doesnât matter if you donât like her now.
Feelings can develop over time. Itâs like when I first met you-â
âWhat about when you first met me? You mean to tell me you didnât like me at first?â
Regina couldnât help but laugh at the memory of their awkward first encounter. âYou were as cold as an ice cube. Who would like you then? Are you always this full of yourself?â
âSo, what about now? Do you like me now?â Nolan didnât give Regina any room to dodge the question.
He reached out, pulling her closer by the shoulders.
Their eyes locked, and for a moment, Regina couldnât look away. She knew that once they parted ways, she might not get another chance to be this close to him again.
âTell me the truth, do you like me or not?â
Regina tried to change the subject. What was the point of discussing it?
Did her feelings even matter? Nobody else seemed to care about what she wanted.
Their relationship had been a mistake from the start. She didnât want to make it worse.
âNolan, stop joking around. I know this is all just a temporary fix. Iâll talk to my dad, Iâll let go, and I wonât cling to you! Iâm saving up money right now, and Iâll pay back every cent my dad took from you, even if it takes a while.â
âWho cares about the money? I could lose that and not blink an eye. Itâs you I want, not your money!â
Nolanâs voice was firm, causing Regina to stare at him in shock. âDonât joke with me, Nolan. I canât take this kind of joke.â she said.
Even as Nolan confessed his feelings seriously, Regina still took his words as a mere jest For someone as esteemed as him, sweet-talking was probably just another trick up his sleeve.
But Regina wasnât one to be easily swayed.
She knew that no one could simply reject Nolanâs advances, understanding all too well the weight of his confession. Yet, she chose to act as if the words werenât meant for her.
âWhat are you so afraid of? Weâre already married. Iâm confessing my feelings to you genuinely, and although this might not be the most formal setting, Iâm willing to throw a proper wedding if thatâs what you want. I just want you to understand my intentions, and I want to know whatâs in your heart. Is it really that hard to admit you like someone, Regina?â
Nolanâs was evident as Regina continued to avoid his gaze. He knew the pressure her family had put on her was immense.
But for him, that was no excuse. He tolerated Francis only for Reginaâs sake. Without her, he would have already cut ties with the Tanner family. With those poor schemes, Francis could only daydream about blackmailing the Harris family.
He felt tricked by both Regina and her father; but after calming down, he realized none of it could be her doing.
And as they spent more time together, Nolan gradually understood his true feelings for Regina.
Since she had become a part of his life, albeit in a wretched situation, he realized that as long as they loved each other, nothing else mattered.