Page 24

“Get in the car,” he ordered through clenched teeth, gripping the car door so tight his knuckles turned white.

But she didn’t move. Instead, she stepped back instead.

He circled the car and came to face her again.

Her fingers curled around the hem of her dress. She looked up, her eyes locking with his.

“You’re this worried about me because you love me, right?” she asked softly.

His whole body tensed. His hand went to the hood of the car and curled into a tight fist. He looked away, but then met her eyes again.

“I’m just afraid you’re going to ruin my reputation doing things like that,” he said, voice cold, guarded.

Inside, Krystal smirked, though she didn’t let it show on her face.

There it was—that hesitation, that panic in his eyes the moment she mentioned love. Of course, he didn’t love her. And she knew just how to push him away. Talk about love. Talk about feelings. Nothing repelled men like that.

And anyway, he already had Esther.

Still, she put on a heartbroken expression—eyes full of hurt, shame, voice quiet and trembling. “I’m sorry I’m such a disgrace to you.”

His body stiffened immediately. “That’s not what I meant—”

“I know I don’t deserve you,” she said, cutting him off. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled faintly, painfully. “Esther’s perfect for you. I know you love her. So, I won’t get in the way.”

She shifted on her feet, glancing away, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry I asked. Don’t worry. I’m leaving now.”

She immediately sidestepped him and began to walk away.

But Lorenzo spun around and in just a few strides, stood in front of her, blocking her path. His voice cut through the silence of the night.

“So this is why you blocked my number. Because of her?”

Krystal’s brows furrowed, an incredulous look flashing across her face as confusion twisted in her eyes. Her mind scrambled to make sense of his words.

‘What the hell is he talking about?’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘This narcissist doesn’t actually think I’m jealous, does he?’

She sucked in a sharp breath, forcing herself not to snap.

Instead, she exhaled slowly, met his eyes, and shook her head.

“No, not that. I was just… I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from calling you. I didn’t want to disturb your life anymore.”

Lorenzo reached out, grabbing her hand gently, his eyes locked onto hers. His voice softened—too soft for a man like him.

“I can’t be with you,” he said quietly, eyes holding hers, “but I can take care of you. You don’t have to cut me out completely. Just understand, I’m not someone who can offer you a future.”

She pulled her hand back immediately, her breath hitching. Her voice cracked just a little.

“Please don’t be nice to me anymore,” she whispered, looking up at him with a fragile expression. “Don’t give me hope, Lorenzo.”

Then she stepped around him again, and this time, she didn’t stop. As she walked away, she let out a deep exhale of relief. A faint smile tugged at her lips.

“Finally got rid of that Cactus,” she mumbled under her breath, heading down the path.

But behind her, Lorenzo stood frozen. His jaw clenched as his eyes followed her retreating figure. Panic began to rise in his chest. She was walking away again—and this time, he had no excuse, no reason, no card left to play.

She was going to disappear from his life again.