Chapter 16%
“Why me?” I asked softly, my voice nearly drowned out by the storm of emotions inside me.”
Harry looked at me intently, his eyes dim like a cloudy sky before the rain. “Like I said… you were chosen by my parents and Anya. I don’t know any other reason why it had to be you.”
I took a deep breath, my chest tightening. My exhale echoed faintly in the air, which suddenly felt cold even though the windows in the room were tightly shut.
“Then… what exactly did Anya do? I mean, her looking for me–what did she actually do?” I asked again, barely a whisper.
Harry lowered his head for a moment, then lifted his face with a heavy expression. “She’s the daughter of Master Barneet.“}}
I froze. My eyes widened in disbelief. My jaw slackened, unable to contain the shock.
“Wait… Anya, the daughter of the head professor at Kensington University?” I murmured. Suddenly, all the scattered puzzle pieces in my mind began to fall into place.
No wonder when I showed up with Harry, the campus was in chaos. The reactions of the professors and students had felt overly dramatic. Maybe they thought I was the reason behind Anya and Harry’s broken relationship.
“That’s why on campus, Anya could come and go as she pleased. No one dared to touch her, while I–I was treated the complete opposite…” I whispered, more to myself.
Harry nodded slowly. “Anya was the one who asked Uncle Barneet to grant you the scholarship. She begged the faculty to give you a chance to study there. Not only that, she also asked my parents to provide you a place to live–so you could be close to me. So we could get to know each other… just like she hoped.”
I fell silent. It was hard to believe that all of this had been part of Anya’s plan.}}
“At first, Mr. Barneet was against it,” Harry continued. “Bringing you here would only deepen the wound in his daughter’s heart. But seeing Anya’s condition worsen… and how she kept asking for you… eventually, he gave in. And then you received that scholarship announcement.“”
I swallowed hard. My throat tightened. “So actually… I didn’t deserve to be there?“>
Harry quickly shook his head. “No, don’t belittle yourself. Before all of this, Anya had already looked into your background. She knew you had talent in design. She believed you deserved that scholarship. You just needed time and space to grow again.”}
I closed my eyes for a moment, then opened them with a sad gaze. “Then… Anya also knew I was married? And she knew how my ex–husband betrayed me?“>
Harry looked at me with deep regret in his eyes, then nodded slowly. “Yes… she knew.”
“What would’ve happened if I had come with my husband back then? All of Anya’s plans would’ve been for nothing, wouldn’t they?“} Harry lowered his head. His voice was heavy as he said, “Grace… she was sent by Anya. She attended your wedding on purpose, to test your husband’s loyalty.“}
The world felt like it crumbled around me. I couldn’t breathe. I replayed all the events from the beginning–and it felt like being hit by a boulder. The world I thought was already painful was hiding even deeper secrets.
“Do you regret leaving your husband?” Harry asked gently.}
I shook my head. The puzzle pieces in my mind that I had left scattered were slowly being put together. The cracks in my heart began to form a complete picture, though it still hurt.”
*Bella, I know… the way Anya went about getting what she wanted was wrong. But her condition right now isn’t good. She could die at any time. I hope you’ll cooperate with me. Please… keep playing along with me.” Harry took both my hands, his grip tight, as if afraid I’d vanish in an instant. His face was full of desperation. I saw a man who was fragile, who didn’t know what else to do except beg.
“After she’s gone, you’re free… free to do whatever you want. If you want to leave my life and my family, go ahead. Think of it as punishment for us for toying with your heart. But honestly, Bella… we all truly accepted you.”
I didn’t respond. My eyes stared blankly to the side. My thoughts drifted far away. All of this was too complicated, too sudden.!! “Bella… I’m begging you…” Harry tightened his grip. “Anya doesn’t have much time left. Just a few months… maybe even less. All she wants now is for me to have someone good by my side. Right now, the only thing that can make her happy… is seeing us stay together.“@ Tears welled up in my eyes, but none of them fell. Harry–the man I once believed had never known sorrow–was now on his knees, pleading with me. For the happiness of the woman he loves.
Anya is lucky–to be loved by Harry so deeply. A man willing to do anything to make her happy.
I let out a long breath and looked at him.!!
“Harry, you and Anya love each other. Why don’t you try one more time to truly understand her feelings–and her strength?” I asked, my voice trembling. “I’m a woman, Harry… I know how much it hurts. Watching the man I love choose someone else… it’s unbearable.“} “How?” he replied softly. “I don’t want to pressure her again.””
I looked straight into his eyes. “You’re a man, Harry. And if you know the woman you love feels the same way, then fight for her! You told me to learn how to fight for a relationship–but what about you? You can’t even fight for the woman you love. No wonder I never really believed your words. You give me the material, but you don’t know how to teach it. You esk
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I looked straight into his eyes. “You’re a man, Harry. And if you know the woman you love feels the same way, then fight for her! You told me to leam how to fight for a relationship–but what about you? You can’t even fight for the woman you love. No wonder I never really believed your words. You give me the material, but you don’t know how to teach it. You ask me to read the book, but you don’t even understand what it says.”
Harry lowered his head. His face was somber. I could see the disappointment and surrender in his eyes. But I knew–it wasn’t too late.
“I have a way–for the two of you,” I said firmly. Harry’s gaze shifted to me, full of questions. I looked back at him, the hope in my eyes burning bright. And I prayed… that he could see it too.
