Chapter 98

Her words hit Samuel like lightning. It hurt so much that he found it hard to breathe. And yet, he couldn't deny a single one of them. This was who he was. For six years, he had been putting on an act before her. He had used her, resented her, and yet somehow, shamelessly, he had also fallen for her. Only now did he realize how foolish he had been. Brook had been right. To Shirley, he was the heartless and cruel monster. Now, Samuel was consumed with jealousy that made him go mad as he listened to Shirley defend Benjamin with the same conviction she once used to defend him. His grip on her phone tightened, his reddened eyes a stark reflection of his sleepless night. His voice trembled as he began, "Shirley, it was a mistake. I've wronged you in every possible way. For all the years we were together, I never treated you sincerely. But if you're willing, we can go back to how it was. I'll make up for everything—twice over. I'll give you the love I should've given you all along." "