?Chapter 1830:


    Clive hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor as if the truth were hiding somewhere in the grain of the polished wood. “Did you figure out it was me? How did you know?”


    Elyse smiled. “It wasn’t easy to guess,” she admitted. “But your perfume… its main ingredient is the Evernight Rose. My gardener happens to be quite knowledgeable about rare botanicals.”


    Clive’s bitter smile twisted his lips. “So, do you hate me now?”


    “I should be the one apologizing,” Elyse replied softly. “I can only refuse your feelings, Clive. I never wanted to hurt you.”


    A heavy silence stretched between them before he spoke again, his voice rough with the strain of eptance. “No, I should be thanking you. I’ve been living in a delusion—pretending you weren’t taken, pretending I still had a chance.”


    He swallowed, the truth tasting sour. “Now, you’ve given me a reason to finally face reality.”


    “I was torn,” Elyse confessed, her eyes glimmering. “I couldn’t decide whether to confront you or pretend I knew nothing. But I realized that ignoring your feelings would be cruel. You didn’t deserve to be left suffering alone.”


    “Don’t me yourself.” Clive held her gaze. “Having the truthid bare hurt. But I needed to hear it.”


    Elyse forced augh, trying to lighten the crushing tension. “Better to rip the bandage off, right? You need to move on.”


    He nodded, a flicker of resolution tightening his jaw. “You’re right. Facing reality doesn’t seem so impossible now.”


    “Good,” Elyse said, her shoulders sagging with relief. “While your feelings for me aren’t too deep, you should move on quickly.”


    “Don’t worry about me,” Clive replied. “Go ahead. I just need some time alone to clear my head.”


    Elyse nodded and left, her steps echoing down the hall.


    Once she was gone, he let out a shaky breath. “I was lying,” he admitted to the emptiness around him. “I’ve liked you for so long… Moving on isn’t that simple.” His lips quirked into a sad, self-mocking smile as he murmured to himself, “What a fool I am, causing you trouble, yet you’re still so gentle with me. That kindness of yours just makes it harder to let go.”


    Elyse’s conversation with Clive had been an emotional battle, but now that it was over, the weight lifted from her chest.


    She found Jayden standing by the balcony, scanning the cityscape as if it held all the answers. Her lips curved into a genuine smile. “Care to dance with me?”


    He raised a brow, smirking at her enthusiasm. “Since you’re asking so sincerely, how could I refuse?”


    She rolled her eyes, grabbing his hand. “Stop pretending to be all high and mighty and just hold my hand already.”


    “So bossy and feisty,” he teased. “I’m practically trembling.”


    Theirughter mingled as they moved toward the dance floor, slipping seamlessly into each other’s arms.


    But not everyone shared their joy. Tracy sat alone, her gaze flicking toward the dancing couples with a hint of envy. Shaun noticed her expression and cleared his throat. “If you want to dance, I can be your partner.”<fn0150> Find the newest release on find?novel</fn0150>


    Tracy shot him a re. “What makes you think I want to dance?”


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