Chapter 189 What Do You Feel about Him?
Elizabeth pulled up a chair and sat across from Dean. "Dean, what do you think about Daniel?"
Dean, who had been smiling, suddenly stopped. He turned his chair to face Elizabeth. "Elizabeth, I honestly don't know. I'm at a loss."
Dean bent over, holding his head in his hands. Elizabeth stood up and walked over to him, wrapping her arms around him and gently patting his back.
Dean hugged her waist. "I thought I'd never get over my ex. We were together for so long, and we had so many memories. But he hurt me so badly. I thought I'd never believe in love again. This world is just full of lies and schemes."
He looked up at Elizabeth. "But you, Elizabeth, you're different. You're like an angel. You saved me—not just my body, but my soul. You made me see that there's still so much beauty in the world."
Elizabeth felt a bit embarrassed. "Dean, I'm not as amazing as you think. I just did what I should have."
Dean shook his head. "No, Elizabeth. Meeting you gave me the courage to keep living. I was planning to end it all, to leave this cruel world behind. But you pulled me out of that darkness and into the light."
Dean pulled away from Elizabeth's embrace and sat up straight. Elizabeth returned to her seat as well.
Dean continued, "Elizabeth, if I didn't like men, I would totally pursue you. You're the most perfect woman I've ever met."
Elizabeth gave a bitter smile. "That's because you didn't know me before I went abroad. Back then, I was a mess—forced into marriage, lost my family, lost what I thought was love, and was forced to get pregnant. I felt so helpless."
Dean reached out and gently held Elizabeth's hand. "Elizabeth, I only regret not coming to Aurora Bay sooner, not meeting you sooner, so I could have been there for you."
Elizabeth smiled. "Silly Dean. Back then, I wasn't even Emily's student yet. I didn't know anything about medicine. How could you have known me? We were both living our own miserable lives, worlds apart."
Dean furrowed his brows, his deep blue eyes full of sorrow. "Elizabeth, whenever I think about what you went through, it breaks my heart. That's why I hate Michael so much. He caused all your pain."
Elizabeth held Dean's hand in return. "Dean, I came to talk to you about this. Whatever issues Michael and I have, they're between us. Don't get involved."
Dean got anxious. "Elizabeth, you don't want me to go against Michael? You felt bad when I didn't invite him to your birthday party?"
Elizabeth patted Dean's hand. "What are you thinking? Didn't I say? I left the party planning entirely to you. I was only responsible for showing up, and I didn't even do that."
Elizabeth looked into Dean's beautiful eyes and said slowly, "Dean, you know I want you to be happy. I'll find my own happiness. But I don't want you to give up your happiness because of my problems."
Dean murmured, "My happiness?"
Elizabeth reminded him, "Daniel."
Dean jumped up from his chair like he'd been burned. "Elizabeth, don't mention him to me!"
Elizabeth sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Dean, look at yourself. I just said his name, and you freaked out."
Dean stood by the window, staring out at the city that still felt so foreign to him. Elizabeth walked over and stood next to him. "Dean, how do you really feel about him?"
Dean looked into the distance and started slowly. "The first time I saw him was at a company dinner. Dwayne introduced us. He seemed a bit shy, a bit reserved. His eyes were as clear as a child's."
He turned to glance at Elizabeth. "Elizabeth, when I saw his eyes, I thought of you. You both have such clear eyes. And I had been drinking, so I let my guard down. I never thought he was a spy sent by Michael to investigate me. I hate that he deceived me. I hate being lied to the most!"
Elizabeth gently held his tightly clenched fists. "Dean, I get it. Have you forgotten? I've been deeply betrayed too. Three years of love couldn't compare to one night with someone else. I know that heart-wrenching pain."
Dean's eyes turned red. "If it were anyone else, I might have just cut ties. But with Daniel..."
He rested his head against the window. "Elizabeth, what's wrong with me? Why can't I do anything when I think of him?"
Elizabeth leaned against him. "Dean, don't blame yourself. Matters of the heart can't be forced. Once you figure out your feelings for him, don't worry about anything else. Don't push him away because of my issues with Michael. True feelings aren't limited by gender and can overcome anything."
She turned Dean to face her. "Don't reject people around Michael because of my relationship with him. If you think someone is good and worth liking, that's all that matters. Everything else is secondary."
Dean was silent for a moment. Then he asked, "How about we throw another party? Last time, you didn't come, and it felt like a waste. The guests didn't have a good time either."
Elizabeth nodded. "Okay. This time, make sure to invite Stellar Enterprises."
Dean replied, "I will. I'll send invitations to everyone. Don't worry."
Elizabeth smiled.
Dean looked directly into her eyes and asked her, "Elizabeth, what about you? What are your feelings for Michael?"
Elizabeth lowered her head, unable to explain. They had been forced together. Over time, she had unknowingly fallen for Michael. They hadn't seen each other for four years while she was abroad. She thought she could forget him in that time. But when she saw him again, she knew she could never forget him.
'Indeed, when you're young, it's best not to meet someone too extraordinary. Once they appear, you'll never be able to forget them.' Elizabeth thought with a self-mocking smile.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
