Christine glared at Dailey. "This isn't something you should be handling."
"I was the one who injured you; it's only right that I take care of it."
"I can take care of myself!" she insisted.
Dailey gently clasped her hands. "You can't see it properly; your nails are still
long, and you might hurt yourself again. Let me help."
"
"1
Christine was at a loss for words.
"Dailey, let me ask you something. Do you understand what I'm saying?" she asked, exasperated.
"I've ordered some pasta. It'll be delivered soon."
Figures.
He doesn't get it.
Realizing she couldn't argue with him, Christine felt tears welling up.
Dailey paused, looking taken aback.
Christine seized the moment to pull away, retreating to the other side of the bed.
"Do you enjoy seeing me upset?"
Dailey's lips tightened into a thin line. "No."
"Then why do you keep forcing me to do things I don't want to do?"
"I'm a person, not some object for you to handle as you please."
"Is that really how you see me?"
Dailey's gaze darkened slightly. "I care about you. You can't possibly not notice that."
Christine shook her head. "It's not that you care about me You're
upset
because I broke up with you, and your pride can't take it."
"Then let me be the one who ended things. I'll even tell everyone you dumped me.
Will that make you feel better?"
"I won't say it's over."
"
......
"And I won't let you go."
Dailey moved closer, kneeling down in front of her, lowering himself.
"I tried to let you go, but I can't."
"Christine, can you tell me what you're really afraid of?"
Christine remained silent.
Dailey ventured a guess. "Was it when we visited the Clarkson family? Did that scare you?"
"
Christine pressed her lips together, still refusing to speak.
Dailey took her hand, resting his face against it, and sighed deeply.
"I know you value your life, Christine, and I value it just as much. I won't let anyone harm you."
"Can you give me another chance?~
Let's try again. If it's just us not
Sout, I'll let you go. But if it's
factors, I'm sorry, I can't do
that."
Christine suddenly laughed.
"But Dailey, Serena nearly killed me.
"
ABUMS
"And your family, too."
"If I insist on
deal with being with you, they will me. I have no power ornet
influence; it would be too easy for
them
to get rid of me."or
"Silently, they could even make it look like an accident."
She had nothing to hold her back.
But she hadn't lived enough yet.
She wasn't someone who would risk her life for love.
From a young age, she knew she had to rely on herself.
Over the years, only Jane made her feel like she could risk everything.
As for others...
Even Dailey, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
Dailey immediately said, "They won't..."
"Dailey."
Christine interrupted him. "I saw it."
"Saw what?"
"When your family looked at me, there was a determined intent to kill in their eyes."
II
A peculiar silence filled the room.
Christine saw the shock on his face but didn't pull away from him.
She just sat there, maintaining eye contact.
For a long time.
Finally, Dailey buried his face in her lap, his shoulders shaking with laughter.
Christine had never seen Dailey's emotions swing so wildly.
But she knew when he lost control, nothing else mattered.
So she spoke again. "Dailey, I don't want you to go against your family for nor do I want you to be hurt because of me."
"Separating is the best decision for both of us."
"I'm begging you, let me go."