Chapter 232 Cold Light of Day


    John kept chanting the same lie to himself, over and over again—Lily would never leave him. He’d recovered the silver bracelet he had made for her with his own hands. Once he returned it to her wrist, she would surely return to him.


    Before he knew it, his car had pulled up outside the Luke family estate.


    He was about to roll down his window and tell the guards to open the gate when his phone rang–loud and sharp, like a siren<b>. </b>


    The call was from the hospital.


    Elsa had attempted suicide by swallowing pills,


    She had pulled this stunt before.


    Thest time, he’d been frantic with worry.


    But this time… a wave of weariness, even disgust, rose in his chest.


    He hadn’t expected taking care of Elsa, walking with her through her final stretch of life, woulde with so much drama.


    And he certainly hadn’t expected Lily topletely misread him, even try to leave him.


    Still, he owed Elsa for what happened four years ago. She didn’t have long to live. He couldn’t bring himself to abandon her–not yet. So, he turned the car <b>around </b>and headed for the hospital.


    After James carried Lily into the car, she immediately pressed herself up against the door, putting space between them.


    The truth <b>was</b><b>, </b>she missed the warmth of his arms already.


    When he carried her downstairs, part of her had secretly hoped the walk would never end–that he’d carry her just a little longer.


    But every road, no matter how long, <b>had </b>an end. Sooner orter, she had to wake up from this fantasy <b>and </b>face reality.


    Thinking back to what she’d said earlier–iming she dreamed of being his wife just to make John back off–she quickly rified, “James, don’t get the wrong idea. I didn’t mean <b>what </b>I said about wanting to be <b>wife</b>. I just wanted to keep John from pestering me. I promised I’d go with you to finalize the divor I meant it.”


    your


    “Mm.”


    James nced at the now–empty seat beside him and gave a quiet, emotionless reply.


    “I really appreciate what you did tonight,” she said. “If you hadn’t stepped in… I don’t even want to think about it. Anyway, you don’t need to worry–I’m not going to cling to you or cause you trouble.”


    <b>1/3 </b>


    “Mm.” His eyes briefly <b>swept </b>over her, cool and unreadable,


    His gaze dropped again, falling on the red marks around her neck. The sight irritated him.


    And John’s words from earlier kept echoing in his mind–how Lily had broken three ribs working to raise money for his surgery.


    Didn’t it hurt?


    Was it worth it?


    in


    Something twisted chest, a dull ache that wouldn’t go away. Maybe that difort was <b>what </b>made him ask, without thinking, “Did you… used to really like John?”


    Huh?


    Lily hadn’t expected him to ask something like that.


    But she quickly realized he probably wasn’t asking out of personal <b>curiosity</b>. More likely, he just thought she had terrible taste in men–chasing after someone as irrational and violent <b>as </b>John–and didn’t want her making the same mistake twice.


    She couldn’t argue with that. She had been incredibly blind.


    After a pause, she answered honestly. “Back then, I guess I was just really desperate for warmth. He reached out when I needed help, and I convinced myself he was my salvation. I did like him–a lot. I used to imagine our future together, hoped we’d grow old side by side. Even when it was one–sided, I still didn’t want to let go. But eventually, I realized that kind of love–clinging to someone like that–wasn’t healthy. Love should be mutual. If it’s not, it won’tst. So I let go.”


    “<b>Mm</b><b>.</b>” James could tell she’d given up on Johnpletely. She wasn’t the type to go back to a man who’d failed her like <b>that</b>.


    He knew their marriage was destined to end. There was no point getting involved in <b>each </b>other’s lives.


    And yet, the thought of her breaking three ribs–for someone like John–still stuck in his mind like a splinter under the skin.


    He found himself asking again, “Your ribs…?”


    “They healed a long time ago.”


    Lily didn’t <b>want </b>to talk about those ribs.


    Every time she remembered them, she felt like her brain must’ve been full of water back then.


    She couldn’t believe how far she’d gone for someone who never really cared. Rolling her eyes at herself, she


    gave a bitterugh. “I was out of my damn mind. I kept bending over backward for John and just ended up physically and emotionally wrecked. But I guess that failed rtionship taught me something. You’ve got to love yourself first James, same goes for you. When you meet someone you really like<i>, </i><i>be </i>good to her but don’t forget to take care of yourself too. If we learn how to love ourselves, even if someone lets us down, we can still walk into the light.”


    James didn’t fully agree with her.


    Chapter 232 Cold Light of Day


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    He hoped Lily would love herself more in future rtionships–never again give herself away to someone who wouldn’t treasure her.


    <b>And </b>when he Imally met Le and confirmed she <b>was </b>the one, he would give her everything.


    He would live for her. Die for her. Without regret.


    But he and Lily were just a couple on paper, soon to be divorced. There was no need to exin his beliefs.


    So, he just said coldly, “Mm.”