Chapter 19
Clifford stared at Tessa’s angry face, but said nothing in retur. A faint smile tugged at the comer of his lips.
Tevu only grew more frustrated at his expression “dillood, we’re divorced. Stop harassing me. If you keep this up, I won’t be able to limp my cafe open.” Clifford stood there with his head lowered, like a student being scolded. “Tess, I’m not going to pursue anyone else. I’ll only ever punue you, just like I did in the beginning”
She froze.
It was true that he didn’t know how to purse someone. He had always been clumsy and possessive. He used his status as the Jones family heir to drive away derjone who came near her. That was exactly what had drawn herto him back then–hisawined but camest devotion. She thought he’d always love only her like that, but who would’ve guessed that even someone like him could but her so deeply?
“cliffe, don’t do this,” she said, ineering. “I’ve made myself very clear that there’s no going back. Sh.added, “Edison and I are getting married. So please, stop Interfering in our lives.”
“Getting married? Clifford felt as if he’d plunged into a frozen lake, his very being shattered into fragments.
“Are you getting mamed?” He took a step forward and grabbed her wrist so hard it felt he might snap it.
She winced and gritted her teeth. “Yes. We’re getting manted. So stop showing up here, just leave alone!”
“No. I won’t let that happen!” He yanked her into his arms and kissed her fiercely. No matter how hard she struggled or how much she scratched and bit, he refused
trying to fuse her into his very to let go. His lips crashed against hers with desperate force, like he was
“Clifford, you‘!”
“Ye l’insane. I went insane the moment I lost you.”
The familiar scent of cold pine surrounded Tessa, seeping into herings, herchest, and her bones. Clifford pressed a ldss to her neck, his eyes darkening with desire as they tell on the strap of her dress, bacely dinging to her shoulder.
“Everything that happened 11 was all my fault. I never should we divided my love and let anyone else come between us.
“Tess, just give me a chance. I swear I won’t do it again. I’ll be the Clifford who only loves you forever.“!
Tears welled in Tro’s eyes. She fought to berak free, trying not to throw up from the overwhelming wwww of nausea rising in her chest. But the more she struggled, the tighter he held her.
“Tessal” Edison’s voice rang out
“Edison“Tessa cried out, her voice trembli
Edison landed a punch squarely on difford, knocking him slightly off, but not enough to make him let go. He grabbed Clifford’s wrist and twisted it violently. A sickening crack sounded, and clifford’s joint dislocated on the spot.
Edison pulled Tessa behind him, shielding het. His expression was dark. He draped his jacket over her shoulders and wrapped her tightly in his amis. “Tessa, it’s okay now. You’re safe
“just go home and don’t look back. I’ll take care of everything here, alright?”
He showed the car kept into her hand. “Oo on. Be good.”
Tessa nodded while lugging herself tightly before running out the door.
Edison didn’t relax til be what cas pull away. Then he turned back toward Clifford. His expression was colder than ever, and his eyes burned with fury.
“Clifford, stop pestering her. This obsession of yours is only hurting her. Do you even know that she still wakes up from nightmares, screaming, dreaming of being trampled by a crazed horse, and of you leaving her to die on a snowy mountain, buried in an avalanche?!
Clifford stood there, frozen. The anger in eyes staly vanished. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry..
He whispered over and over. Besides that, he didn’t know what else to say.
“If you feel guilty, then les het go” Edison suddenly swung again and punched in hand. Blood tricked from the comer of clifford’s mouth as he staggered back.
But he didn’t fight back. He just stood there, dazed, mattering his apologies like a brulentccord.
Seeing him like that, Edison didn’t say another wood. He simply turned and walked away.
No one knew how long clifford stood there, lost in a hace, before he finally can to his senses. The next day, when he returned, there was only a small sign hanging
“Shop for Lease.”
He stated at it for a long, long time before beinally book a step back
