Chapter 22
Caught off guard, Elliot stumbled back several steps, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
“Stay away from her!” Ryan stepped protectively in front of Sophie, his eyes sharp as blades, his voice carrying an undisguised warning. “Touch her again and I’ll call the police immediately.”
Elliot wiped the blood from his mouth, his gaze dark as he looked at Ryan, then shifted to Sophie.
Her expression remained calm, as if none of this concerned her.
“I see…” Elliot laughed coldly, complex emotions churning in his eyes. “You left me because of him?”
Sophie stood up, brushing nonexistent dust from her skirt, her tone indifferent: “Elliot Sinclair, aren’t you overestimating yourself?”
“I never left you because of anyone else.”
Elliot’s pupils constricted sharply, his chest feeling like it had been struck by a sledgehammer, making breathing difficult: “Then why did you leave? Between us…”
“There was never anything between us.” Sophie cut him off, finally looking up at him with eyes cold as ice. “Elliot Sinclair, have you forgotten? These three years I stayed by your side were only for money and freedom. Now the transaction is over. We’re even.”
“Even?” Elliot’s voice was practically grinding through clenched teeth. “Sophie, do you really think we can be even?”
“What else?” She laughed softly, her eyes devoid of any warmth. “Did you think I loved you?”
Elliot’s face instantly went pale, as if he’d been stabbed viciously. He opened his mouth but found himself speechless.
Yes, she had never said she loved him.
Even when he hurt her again and again, she only endured silently, never showing the slightest sign of caring.
Yet he had foolishly thought her gentleness and patience were because of love.
“Elena, let’s go.” Ryan put his arm around her shoulder, his tone gentle but his eyes watching Elliot warily.
Sophie nodded and turned to leave.
“Wait!” Elliot suddenly reached out to grab her wrist, but Ryan blocked him.
“Mr. Sinclair, please show some restraint.” Ryan’s voice was ice cold.
Elliot’s eyes turned terrifyingly sinister, his fists clenched with audible cracks: “What are you? How dare you interfere in our
business?”
“Our business?” Sophie finally turned back, mockery in her eyes. “Elliot Sinclair, have you forgotten? Your Phoebe Evans is still waiting for you to return.”
“There’s nothing between her and me!” Elliot practically roared. “Those were all misunderstandings! I can explain-”
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Stand In Bride’s Escape: No More Chains, Only Freedom
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Chapter 22
“No need.” Sophie interrupted him, her tone terrifyingly calm. “Whatever you and she have is none of my concern.”
She paused, her eyes turning completely cold: “Elliot Sinclair, I’ll say this one last time–I never loved you.”
Those words were like a sharp blade, cutting deep into Elliot’s heart. His breathing stopped abruptly, his entire being plunging into an icy abyss.
Sophie didn’t spare him another glance, turning and leaving shoulder–to–shoulder with Ryan. Her retreating figure was resolute and cold, as if there had never been any connection between them.
Elliot stood there, watching her figure gradually disappear from sight, his chest churning with unprecedented pain and rage.
He didn’t believe it.
He didn’t believe she had never truly loved him.
He didn’t believe all that tenderness and devotion had been mere pretense.
“Sophie!” He suddenly shouted at her retreating figure, his voice terrifyingly hoarse. “Do you think this is how it ends? Let me tell you–impossible!”
Sophie’s steps didn’t falter in the slightest; she didn’t even turn her head.
Elliot’s fist slammed into the tree trunk beside him, his knuckles instantly bleeding.
The pain from his hand couldn’t compare to one ten–thousandth of what he felt in his heart.
He stared fixedly in the direction she had left, his eyes gloomy and crazed.
“I won’t let go… never.”
