Chapter 842



“Just a thank you? Is that all?”

Belinda looked up at him, her gaze steady.

“Then what more do you want?” she asked.

A mischievous smile danced at the corners of Lucas’ lips as he leaned closer. After a pause, he replied in a low voice, “You’ll need to agree to two things.”

Belinda pressed her lips together thoughtfully and then asked with genuine curiosity, “What things?”

Lucas straightened himself with an air of seriousness and said, “First, remove all my contact details from your blacklist. Second—when I’m discharged from the hospital—allow me to continue teaching you how to swim.”

Upon hearing this, Belinda froze momentarily before instinctively exclaiming with disbelief, “That’s it?”

She hadn’t anticipated that Lucas’ “two things” would be so… simple.

They felt almost trivial compared to what she had imagined.

She had assumed he would request…

Lucas chuckled softly at her reaction.

“Did you think I’d seize this chance to ask you to get back together with me?”

Belinda’s thick lashes fluttered as she blinked. She was momentarily dazed.

For a fleeting moment, she had truly thought he might make such a request.

Noticing her reaction, Lucas realized his assumption was correct.

He smiled with a hint of helplessness before turning serious again.

“Belinda,” he said, “I won’t deny it—I truly yearn to be together with you again. However… I only want you to choose to start over with me because your faith in me has been restored, because deep down inside your heart, you genuinely wish to be with me. Not because you feel indebted to me or obligated to say yes out of gratitude. That’s not what I want.”

His heartfelt words struck Belinda’s heart like a jolt of electricity; it wasn’t painful but rather awakening—the emotions it stirred lingered, refusing to settle.

She couldn’t help but feel her heart flutter.

Belinda stared at Lucas, her voice lost.

Seeing her fixed stare, Lucas couldn’t resist smiling. In a playful, self-assured tone, he teased, “What, did I just sweep you off your feet? Are you ready to tie the knot with me now?”

Belinda’s lips twitched involuntarily.

With an exaggerated roll of her eyes, she snapped, “You’re so full of yourself!”

Despite her exasperation, she let out a sigh and nodded after a moment’s hesitation.

“Okay, promise.”

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