Chapter 110
Back then, Jericho actually looked a little hurt. “Reina, how could you even think that?” he said. “You’re the only one I love. I’d never betray you.”
His eyes were steady, full of certainty. But now, when I look back on it, I think he just got swept up in the comfort of love, mistaking that feeling for something deeper than it really was.}
He reminded me so much of my father. After my mom passed, he didn’t waste time grieving. Married someone new, then found more women after that.”
Men like them… they were not completely cold. They could fall in love. But it was never really about the person in front of them. It was about the version of themselves they saw in love, the perfect partner, the romantic hero.
They loved the feeling, the story, the illusion. But not the person. Never the person.}
“Hey, drink this.” It was after work, just outside the building. That guy at the office, way too persistent, walked up with a milk coffee in hand.
He gave me that usual smile, full of hopeful energy. I took the drink out of politeness, but right then, I felt it, that sharp, unmistakable feeling of someone watching me.
I looked up. Jericho was standing across the street. He looked like a ghost of himself, thinner, paler, eyes rimmed red, like he hadn’t slept properly in weeks.}
blinked, thinking maybe I was seeing things. But no, he was really there. I kept calm, made up something about meeting a client tomorrow and said a polite goodbye to my coworkers.
When I turned around again, Jericho was still there. His gaze was fixed on me. His expression was a strange mix of heartbreak and bitterness.
He glanced at the drink in my hand, then back at me and said in this wounded voice, “Reina… how could you fall for someone else so fast?”
Like I was the one who had broken the vows. Like I was the one who ruined everything. It was honestly laughable.}
I gave him a short laugh, shook my head and said, “So what? We’re not together anymore.”
Then I turned and started walking away. But he caught me from behind, arms wrapping tightly around me. It was sudden and rough, like he was afraid I’d vanish if he let go.
His voice was raw, almost broken. “Reina… it’s been so long. Haven’t you calmed down by now? Do you have any idea how hard I’ve been looking for you?
“I left everything behind, my job, my responsibilities, just to find you. Please. Come back with me.”
I pulled away from him, my skin crawling. “Don’t touch me,” I said, my voice steady but cold. “We’re not married here. We’re nothing, just strangers.”
Jericho looked like I had slapped him. His face fell and he just stood there, stunned. “Reina, don’t say that… I know you don’t mean it. I messed up, but I swear to you, I never had feelings for Margot. It wasn’tNike that.”
He stepped closer, like he was trying to close the space between us, but I didn’t move. “She chased after me. From the start, her intentions were off. I told her no. But that night, I drank too much, she took advantage of that. It wasn’t what I wanted.”}
I let out a breath and looked at him, tired.
“Jericho, you’ve been playing the game for years. And you’re telling me some girl barely out of college outsmarted you?” I raised an eyebrow. “Come on. Even you don’t buy that.“}
He tried to protest, but I wasn’t interested in hearing it. “You knew exactly what was happening and yoù didn’t stop it. You didn’t fight it. You just went along with it because it felt good in the moment.”
His mouth opened again, but nothing came out.
“Honestly, if you had just said, ‘I was weak and gave in,‘ I might’ve respected that a little. But blaming the alcohol? Blaming her? It’s pathetic. What’s next, you gonna tell me you thought she was me?” I continued.}
He stayed quiet. His jaw tightened and he looked away like he couldn’t face me. I shook my head. “Don’t bother, Jericho. I’m good here. I’ve moved on. You should, too.”
He stood there, fists clenched, eyes full of disbelief, like he couldn’t quite accept I meant it.”
