Chapter 412 No Retention
By the end, Bella's voice was already choked with emotion, but she fought back the tears, refusing to let them fall. She knew she had to be strong, had to face everything with courage. She had lost too much already and couldn't let the shadows of the past continue to cloud her future.
Sterling felt a wave of indescribable guilt and pain wash over him. He understood that his past actions had caused Bella irreparable harm, stripping her of her desire and trust in a home. He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms, as if the physical pain could somehow lessen the turmoil inside.
"Bella, I'm sorry," Sterling's voice was low and hoarse. He knew he couldn't change the past or erase the scars in Bella's heart.
With a hint of bitterness he couldn't hide, Sterling asked softly, "Have I only brought you torment?" This question seemed to be a deep self-reproach and reflection on his past behavior.
Bella didn't answer. She didn't want to revisit those memories, whether they were beautiful or painful. To her, they were all just a form of torture now. She chose to lock the past away in her heart, no longer touching those wounds.
The conflict between them hadn't faded with time; instead, it had become an insurmountable chasm between them. They couldn't sit down and talk calmly, as every attempt seemed to intensify their disagreements.
In the darkness, Sterling's emotions became hard to read. He sat quietly for a long time.
Finally, he sighed deeply, as if he had made some kind of decision. He silently got up, grabbed his laptop, and left the apartment without saying another word.
As the door closed softly, Bella felt a slight tug at her heart. She knew Sterling's departure didn't mean their story was over, but at least for this moment, she felt a sense of relief and peace.
For a brief moment, Bella almost wanted to get up and stop him, but she restrained herself and didn't take that step.
Sterling's decision to walk out that door meant he was determined not to let himself fall into danger or trouble. He had his pride and self-respect, and their frequent arguments had become a norm.
Bella thought, he should be safe, right?
As Sterling stepped out of the apartment, his mood was exceptionally heavy. He took a deep breath, trying to temporarily suppress the turmoil inside, then walked straight to the curb and hailed a cab.
Once inside, he gave the name of a nearby well-known hotel. The driver nodded and started the car. However, as the car slowly left the apartment area, Sterling's gaze became deep and complex.
Sitting on the hotel bed, Sterling opened his laptop. As the screen lit up, his eyes became focused and intense. Without hesitation, he initiated a video call with Colin.
The waiting time always seemed particularly long. Finally, there was movement on the screen, and Colin's face slowly appeared. Besides his slightly mischievous smile, everything around him was swallowed by darkness, adding a mysterious touch.
"You're calling me at this hour? Don't I get any personal time?" Colin's tone was teasing but mostly annoyed. His eyes flickered, as if hiding something.
Sterling's lips curled into a barely noticeable cold smile. He knew Colin too well; he didn't need to guess that there was a woman in Colin's bed.
"I'm at a hotel," Sterling's voice was calm and firm, as if stating a simple fact. But behind this sentence lay endless deep meaning and complex emotions.
Colin's eyes flashed with surprise but quickly returned to normal. He chuckled and then sneakily took his phone into the bathroom. "What, did you and Bella have a fight? Or are you looking to vent to me again? Did you get kicked out?"
Sterling shook his head lightly, his eyes filled with helplessness and self-mockery. "I left on my own. Couldn't hold it together; we were talking and it just fell apart. Sometimes, emotions aren't something you can control with logic."
Colin frowned slightly but then relaxed, teasingly saying, "I knew you couldn't stick it out, but dropping the ball at a crucial moment is on you. By the way, what are you wearing? A yellow chick? I thought I was flamboyant, but you outdid me!"
Sterling gritted his teeth, his eyes showing a hint of impatience. "Can you focus on something other than my pajamas? I'm not in the mood for jokes. Dealing with her personality, I think I have to be forceful. For me, any method that keeps her by my side is good. I don't expect her to be kind to me anymore; as long as she's with me, even if it's unwillingly, I'll accept it."
Colin looked at Sterling, his eyes showing a hint of concern. "Sterling, isn't that too extreme? Using forceful methods isn't wise; what if it backfires? And sacrificing your dignity and principles, is it really worth it?"
Sterling took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions. "I know what I'm doing and the consequences. But I have no other choice; she's too important to me. Even if it's the clumsiest, least favored way, I have to try to keep her. Sometimes, in love, dignity and principles can be temporarily set aside."
Colin stood in front of the mirror, fiddling with his hair, sighing. "You know Bella better than I do; you must know how to get her back. But I have to remind you, whatever method you use, don't go too far. You and her are at the point where it's all or nothing, and I'm worried for you. I have no advice for you; you'll have to figure it out yourself."
With that, Colin lowered his voice. "I have to go; Anna's here. If she hears, it'll be a mess. Take care."
Listening to the busy signal, Sterling felt a mix of emotions. He looked at the bustling night scene outside, but his heart was lonely. He knew he was acting a bit crazy, but for Bella, he was willing to do anything. No matter how difficult and rough the road ahead, he had to try to walk it.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
