Chapter 315
Soren glanced at me and opened his door, then clrcled around to open mine.
“Want to enjoy some sun?” he asked hesitantly.
I
The weather was pleasant–warm sunlight, a mild breeze. nodded and let him take my hand.
We sat on the car’s hood, gazing at the river.
After a while, he finally asked, “Are you feeling better?”
“Yeah.”
“Your dad’s sick in prison.”
“Yeah. I only found out yesterday.‘
So that was why Cameron hadn’t put on a show–she’d planned this instead.
Soren hesitated before asking, “What do you plan to do?”
“Don’t care,” I said instantly.
“She won’t let you off that easily,” he pointed out.
I said nothing. I knew what he was getting at, but the thought of it repulsed me.
I turned to Soren. Sunlight hit our eyes, making us both squint slightly.
After a pause, I said mechanically, “This is my family’s problem. Can you let me handle it on my own?”
Something faded from his handsome features.
A pang shot through my chest. I looked away, focusing on the river.
The family I was raised in was grotesque, repulsive, rotten to the core. Everyone knew it, especially me. Soren knew too, but I still didn’t want him to see it firsthand.
We all wanted to avoid humiliation, didn’t we? Especially someone like me, who’d spent a lifetime pretending to be strong.
Soren was already better than me. Next to him, I was so dir–low I wouldn’t even qualify to shine his shoes. How could I let him see my terrible family? Let those parasites who called themselves my “family” cling to him?
I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t let my already battered, inferiority–ridden self–esteem be shattered right in front of him.
Soren must have sensed my revulsion. He went quiet for a moment before nodding slowly.
“Understood,” he said gently. “If you need any help, I’m always here.”
I stared at him, stunned. “Why, Soren? Why are you so… nice? You’re so nice it makes me feel guilty. You tolerate me even when I’m obviously being unreasonable!”
Soren suddenly grinned and God, it was the brightest, warmest thing I’d ever basked in. Brighter than the sun.
—
“Silly girl.” He pinched my cheek. “You’re my girlfriend. If weren’t going to be nice, then why would I want to be with you?”
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Chanter 318
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“But the more you tolerate my tantrums, the more unreasonable I’ll become!!
He raised an eyebrow. “Are you that kind of person?”
“I don’t know. I know I inherited something from my shitty father!” 1 muttered grimly. “Maybe I got his bad genes too. Maybe they just haven’t shown up yet!”
Soren chuckled, amused. “You’re so sure you got his genes but not your mom’s? I think you’ve been watching too many shorts–it’s rotting your brain a little.”
“Fine. Maybe half his genes?”
“There it is. Someone with self–awareness like yours could never be like him. Besides…” He pulled me into his chest. “I won’t let you become that, either.”
His voice softened. “I know why you won’t let me intervene But it’s okay. The more I understand the things that have haunted you, the more I care. I could never be repulsed by it, you know?”
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Chapter 316
