Chapter 882
Chapter 882:
Jared turned to her, surprise and confusion in his eyes. “Anika? What are you doing here p>
Anika looked at him through tears, relief, joy, and worry twisting together inside her. She struggled to find words strong enough to hold everything she felt.
“I… I was so worried about you.” Her voice shook, catching on sobs. “I’m just glad you’re awake. You’ll be okay, and your right leg will heal. Don’t worry. I’m here with you p>
She tried to steady her breathing. “Jared, I’m so glad you woke up. I was terrified when I got your call and learned about the earthquake. Annabel and I rushed to Dorhedge to find you. We didn’t stop looking until we did p>
Jared lowered his gaze to his bandaged leg, refusing to meet her eyes as he stared into space.
“Why did you save me p>
“What?” Anika’s heart dropped. She stared at him, struggling to understand. “What are you talking about p>
Jared glanced at her, the pain in his eyes carefully hidden as he spoke in a cold, controlled tone. “Why did you save me? We broke up, remember? There’s nothing between us anymore p>
He still couldn’t bring himself to meet Anika’s gaze, as if he were forcing his emotions back down.
Anika’s heart sank. Her voice trembled. “No, that’s not true. I’m worried about you. You’re just angry right now. You don’t really want to end things with me, do you? I don’t believe you fell in love with someone else. It’s just an excuse p>
She looked at him with pleading eyes.
Jared closed his eyes, drained from the effort of restraining himself—the urge to reach for her, to hold her. After a pause, he spoke again, distant and unyielding. “Didn’t I make it clear before? I fell in love with someone else. You don’t have to waste your time on me p>
– more stories here
“No, that can’t be true!” Anika cried, her face flushing as tears spilled down her cheeks. “We’ve been together for five years. How could you fall in love with someone else? That’s not possible p>
Marcel sat beside Annabel, his expression tight with sympathy as he watched Anika crumble.
Anika couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
Annabel’s brows knit as she listened to Jared’s merciless words. She stepped up to Anika, rested a hand on her shoulder, and patted her gently. “Don’t cry, Anika,” she said softly.
Then Annabel turned to Jared on the stretcher, her expression turning cold. “Jared, I shouldn’t say this, but what you just said was cruel. Anika rushed to Dorhedge with me the moment she heard about the earthquake. Do you have any idea how dangerous it was, with constant aftershocks? We risked our lives to find you, and Anika nearly got hurt because of you. Didn’t that cross your mind at all? Do you even care how she feels p>
Jared’s heart jolted at Annabel’s words. He finally looked up at Anika, who stood there in pain and disbelief. For a moment, something in him softened.
But in the end, he said nothing.
As far as Anika’s parents were concerned, they had been right all along. Jared had little to his name, and he couldn’t give Anika the life she deserved.