Chapter 86

On the way back from the airport, Clara and Elio remained silent.

Clara had been avoiding Elio’s emotions, but this time he was determined to get a response. from her.

After returning to Elio’s place, as soon as Alex entered his own bedroom, Elio spoke up again, “Now, can you tell me why you refuse to accept me?”

“Stop it! Let’s end this topic here. I want to go check on Alex,” Clara said, standing up to leave, but Elio grabbed her wrist.

“Are you rejecting me because you have feelings for someone else?”

“…”

“Clara, you have someone you like.”

This statement was not a question but a statement of certainty!

From her sudden realization, Elio could tell!

“I came here this time to reunite with my son. Elio, please stop bothering me,” Clara’s tone carried some weariness. “Let’s not bring up this matter again in the future. We are not suitable for each other.

Being friends is best.”

“Clara!” Elio still refused to let go of her hand. This time he was truly serious! He had never been this persistent before. “Is it that you don’t like the type of man I am, or are you more concerned about my parents? If you think my parents would have objections, I can handle it! I can sort things out with them.”

Clara furrowed her brows. “I am a single mother. In the eyes of elders, I am not a good girl! I don’t want to be criticized or gossiped about my past, so I won’t get married, nor will I have a boyfriend.”

“I don’t care that you’re a single mother! So what if you have a child? I know you had no choice back then. I am well aware that you only agreed to have a child for financial support,” Elio said.

“Elio, there are other people in this world! Even if you don’t mind, what about your family, friends, and colleagues? Maybe they won’t openly gossip or even congratulate you, but they will surely talk behind your back. They will question who Alex’s biological father is and why I became a single mother! I don’t like that. I don’t want to be the subject of their whispers!”

After all these years, she had faced many difficulties while raising Alex on her own, and she had persevered. Now she had no intention of marrying anyone, not even Emmett. Once the contract ended, she would disappear completely from Emmett’s world. The only thing she hesitated about now was Aiden. Everything else was out of consideration.

“So, who is the man you like?” Elio persistently asked. “If that man proposed to you, would you still refuse?”

“Yes! I would refuse anyone.”

“Okay, since you say you would refuse anyone; remember your own words! And also remember this: If you ever decide to get married someday, I still hope you will consider me first.”

Seeing Elio’s smile, she finally felt at ease. At present, there were very few people she could trust. If she and Elio couldn’t be friends anymore because of this, it would be a deeply troubling matter for her.