Justin suddenly felt his heart sink.
After several encounters, he realized that his understanding of
Christopher far surpassed that of his less insightful companion.
While Bella viewed Christopher as her childhood friend, he did not see
Bella in the same way. Justin knew that Christopher was the kind of
person who nitpicked over every detail, held grudges and sought
vengeance relentlessly. In other words, he was petty!
Cross him once, and he would make your entire family pay for it.
It was not an exaggeration, because Christopher was genuinely
capable of doing it.
âIf you have to rely on schemes and tricks to attain love, then that
love is no longer pure. It has lost its most primal and sacred essence!
Asherâs gaze held a mix of paternal love and worry as he observed
Bella. âThe idea of you associating with someone like him keeps me
restless all day and night. He has no boundaries with anyone and will use any means necessary to get what he wants. We have
no idea if he might someday turn those methods against you. Bella, youâre my
dearest sister and my lifeline. | canât risk your happiness. | canât
afford to lose.â
Asherâs heartfelt words brought tears to Bellaâs eyes. âAsh...â
Asher gently ran his hand through Bellaâs hair, then turned to Justin
and asked, âMr. Salvador, since you already suspected Christopher's
involvement during your time on the South Island, why didnât you
Chapter 1036
inform me then? Perhaps we couldâve found a solution sooner and
caught him red-handed.â
Justin let out a long sigh, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. âAlthough |
detest Christopher, this is purely speculation. No matter how
reasonable my suspicions seemed, they were merely suspicions.
Without evidence, | canât hastily accuse him of being the mastermind
behind it all.â
Asher felt a mix of indistinct emotions welling inside him, his
admiration for Justin increasing.
This was precisely why, despite Christopher's numerous efforts for
Bella, Asher always felt that Christopher could not measure up to
Justin.
Despite Christopherâs outward charm, his personality was rotten to the core. However, despite many shortcomings, Justinâs soul
remained pure and untainted.
âBesides, Christopher is someone Bella values deeply.â
Justin concluded, deciding not to elaborate further.
Bella felt a sharp pang in her heart as if a sharp blade had pierced
through her throat. âSo... Was the reason why you didnât say anything back then because you were afraid Iâd be angry?â
âYeah.â
Justin admitted with a sheepish smile, his charming eyes reflecting a hint of embarrassment. âI was being too timid. That's not at
all like a man should be, right? Initially, | planned to investigate him promptly after leaving South Island, but... | almost didnât
make it back alive. |
shouldn't have been so reckless.â
How pathetic.
In Bellaâs presence, this once dignified man seemed to crumble,
fearing even the slightest misstep might upset her and undo all the goodwill he had painstakingly regained.
âYou're so foolish, Justin. So foolish.â Bella murmured, her eyelashes
glistening with tears. Her heart was so heavy that she could barely find words to express her feelings.
Recalling the countless times she
had argued hhaxele th Yustincabidut
OktistopHer Be was flushed with
anger. She could not help
but find it all incredibly absurd.
Luckily, Justinâs love for her remained steadfast.
Otherwise, if it were someone else, they would have likely been driven
away by now.
The plane flew smoothly toward
Savrow, the Noeheke ay elagedinO m1
slienoe\RVah 0 was exhausted,
had already drifted off to sleep.
Bella leaned against Justin, their
heads resting side. He geritly
saueezedhe iste hen its
warmth and tenderness, which
melted
his heart.
Suddenly, Justin's expression hardened as he sensed something amiss with Bellaâs left pinky.
âBella, what happened to your pinky? Did it get injured?â
Al4
Bellaâs breath hitched suddenly, her body trembling in his embrace.
âBella, what's wrong?â Justinâs concern grew as he felt her distress.
Should she tell him?
Should she tell him that she was the girl who fought alongside him on
the battlefield in Kridor years ago, dragging his wounded body back to
the camp, and that she was the one who lost a finger as a result?