Chapter 228

Chapter 228

Spring had just begun to hint at its arrival, yet the chill of winter lingered in the air. Curtis stood, conspicuously without a coat, his presence alone enough to draw attention.

His aura was one of brooding cold, but his appearance was striking. With deep-set, sculptural features and dressed from head to toe in a tailored suit that spoke of wealth, he turned heads wherever he looked. His hair was meticulously styled, and even in the dim light, his stature and attire set him apart from the crowd.

As a man stepped out of a nearby bar to light a cigarette, he couldn’t help but steal glances at Curtis.

After the third glance, Curtis, without even turning his head, spoke in a frosty tone, “If you don’t want to lose your eyes, better keep walking.”

The man, startled, muttered under his breath as he prepared to leave.

Curtis then called out, “Come back here.”

The man returned, wary and on edge, “What do you want?”

Jeremy emerged from the bar and soon noticed Curtis. With a cigarette between his lips, he stood tall and lean against the wall, lost in his thoughts as he watched the lively street

scene.

Joining Curtis, Jeremy stood silently beside him as a group of girls passed by, their laughter tinkling like bells in the night. Both men remained quiet, each lost in his own thoughts.

Jeremy could sense Curtis’ possessiveness over Leanne, even without knowing the details of their past. Rumors about their tumultuous relationship had been circulating for years, none of them painting a rosy picture.

What Jeremy couldn’t figure out was why Curtis seemed to have had a change of heart. But he suspected it was just a case of wanting what you can’t have-it was human

nature.

Did Curtis truly love Leanne? Jeremy doubted it. A woman as stunning as Leanne could haunt many men’s dreams. To truly love her would mean never to have neglected her for so long.

Moreover, they were on the brink of finalizing their separation.

Curtis, usually averse to cheap cigarettes, was too agitated to care. As he flicked ash

from his cigarette, he spoke with indifference, “If you have something to say, just say it.”.

“Can I have a cigarette?” Jeremy asked.

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Curtis passed him one of the low-quality cigarettes he had reluctantly bought, along with a cheap lighter from a local store.

After taking a few puffs, Jeremy said, “Curtis, I won’t deny my feelings for Leanne, but I never intended to come between you two. After you married her, I kept my distance, dated others, and only reconnected with Leanne because of Selina. I admit, it was selfish of me to use her as a way to be close to Leanne, even if just as a friend.”

“Why are you telling me this? You want me to play messenger for your confession?” Curtis’ irritation was palpable, his tone laced with sarcasm. “What, do I look like I’m in that business?”

“That’s not what I mean,” Jeremy sighed, “I owe you an apology.”

“At least you’re quick to admit it,” Curtis retorted with a smirk, “There’s more, isn’t there?”

Jeremy, usually so cautious, had overstepped this time, “Curtis, I know it’s not my place to meddle in your relationship with Leanne, but as a friend, I want to speak up for her.”

“And whose friend are you supposed to be?” Curtis asked sharply.

“Yours, or Leanne’s. It doesn’t matter.”

Curtis took another drag from his cigarette, the smoke veiling the emotions in his eyes.

“Go on.”

“Leanne’s got a kind heart. Unlike us, she’s smart without being cunning, straightforward without being distant. That makes her easy to exploit, easy to hurt.”

Jeremy continued, “Curtis, I know you’re a man of honor. If you don’t love her, why not just let her go?”

The frustration inside Curtis boiled over at the suggestion.

Let her go? As if it were that simple! He snapped the cigarette in half, the burn from the ember igniting a sharp pain and a bitter laugh.

Was it a laugh of scorn or sorrow? Clenching the broken cigarette, he said, “I don’t love her? How can you say that? I’m damn near obsessed with her.”

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