Chapter 93

Every time Shirley got close to him, Samuel had to summon all his strength to force himself to push Shirley away. Even during their kisses, he held back, terrified of crossing a line and betraying Sophia. Only now did Samuel realize how foolish he'd been. She had put on a wedding dress and almost became his bride. And yet, he had coldly abandoned her, turning her into the subject of cruel gossip throughout the city. The woman who once adored him, who couldn't go a day without clinging to his side, now had no room left in her life for him. It was his fault. He had pushed her into another man's arms. The bitterness of it all consumed him, but he could only swallow it, silently enduring the torment of his own making. That night, Samuel sat staring at Shirley's phone until dawn. … The next morning, Shirley stirred awake at the sound of Benjamin moving about. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she got out of bed and quickly freshened up in her room before heading to the kitchen. Whe