Chapter 262
“But I’ve already given myself to you. You’ve accepted the delivery, no returns,” Tessa squeezed his hand tighter, her voice fragile and delicate, stirring his heart.
Gazing at the helpless girl before him, something in Liam stirred.
Even Teresa had never acted so coy or dependent on him before.
“I did take the delivery, but I also paid for it. I used it, and now I can choose not to keep it.” Although his heart had fluttered, Liam’s face and eyes remained impassive.
He was a mature businessman, an entrepreneur whom a young girl’s sweet words wouldn’t sway.
Tessa released one hand and pointed to her damp backpack nearby, “I brought all the things you gave me. I was planning to return them.”
Liam glanced at the backpack and said, “No need to return anything. Once I give something away, I never take it back.”
“Liam, you really have given up on me?” Tessa couldn’t read his thoughts and could only ask with anticipation.
“I’ve told you. You’re not mine.”
As they looked at each other, the room fell into silence, both too absorbed in their thoughts to speak or move.
After a long stare, Tessa finally loosened her grip on him, her hands falling away as she bowed her head and said in a faint voice, “Okay, I get it, Liam. You can go.”
“I’ll have someone take care of the bill. Just check yourself out when you’re feeling better,” Liam said, looking down at the disheartened, solitary figure of Tessa. With that, he turned on his heel and left.
However, as he reached the doorway, his steps faltered momentarily, a wave of inexplicable emotion hindering his departure.
But the pause lasted only a second before he resumed his stride and walked away.
Watching his silhouette vanish through the exit, Tessa bit her lip, unable to hold back the tears that now streamed down her cheeks.
...
Gabriel’s first round of treatment went well, with the cancer cells significantly controlled and their spread halted.
After the first treatment cycle, Gabriel was discharged, living life just like anyone else would. He looked no different than before.
Yet, he seemed to have lost a little more weight.
Feeling concerned, Katherine hired two master chefs to come and cook a variety of delicious meals every day for Gabriel, and Teresa was always trying to find ways to encourage him to eat more.
Following the treatment, Gabriel’s immune system was weakened, but to maintain his strength, he insisted on daily workouts.
Despite his illness, he refused to show any sign of weakness in front of Teresa. Their home life remained normal, unchanged from before.
After breakfast on Monday, Gabriel drove Teresa to her workplace before heading to the office.
As the car gently pulled up in front of the academic building, Gabriel glanced to the side and saw Brian laughing and talking with two female students outside the building.
Brian, not far off, noticed their car, too, and turned to look their way.
Through the car window, although those outside couldn't peek inside, the gaze of the two men seemed to intersect.
With a slight furrow of his brow, Gabriel turned to Teresa and asked, “Honey, what’s Brian doing here?”
Following his gaze to Brian, Teresa answered evenly and truthfully, “He’s also a teacher here, teaching juniors.”
“Do you have any contact with him?” Gabriel inquired, his arm gently wrapping around her.
Teresa shook her head, “We don’t intersect professionally, but it’s inevitable to see each other now and then, being in the same department.”
Glancing once more out the car window at Brian, Gabriel pulled Teresa’s chin towards him and gave a gentle peck on her lips. “You know, I can’t shake the feeling that he’s up to something, coming all the way down to River North Language Academy.”
With an amused smile, Teresa playfully retorted, “He’s your cousin. What ulterior motive could he possibly have? You don’t suppose he came to work here just for me, do you?”
Gabriel looked deep into her eyes, affectionately pinched her nose, and said with a mix of playfulness and warning in his voice, “If he dares lay a finger on you, I’ll make him regret it.”
Teresa was speechless, not wanting to discuss Brian further. She leaned in for a quick kiss and said, “All right, it’s about time I head out. I’ll drop by your office after work.”
Gabriel had a smirk on his face before grabbing the back of her head, and he kissed her before reluctantly letting her step out of the car.
Once she entered the academic building, Gabriel instructed his driver to head to Nebula.
“Teresa, good morning!”
As Teresa approached the elevator, there stood Brian, almost as if he had been waiting for her rather than the lift itself.
Of course, they weren’t alone. Several students also waited, cheerfully greeting Teresa as she nodded back, utterly ignoring Brian’s presence.
Brian watched her with an unfazed grin. Shortly, the elevator arrived, and the doors slid open to let everyone in.
The doors closed behind them, and the elevator ascended, reaching the floor where Teresa and the students needed to step out.
Once the students left, Teresa turned to exit but found her wrist abruptly seized.
Teresa turned around, her piercing gaze landing on Brian, though she bit back any sharp remarks with the students still in earshot just outside.
With the students gone, Brian swiftly hit the button to close the doors, and the elevator resumed its climb. Now, in the confined space, it was just him and Teresa.
