Chapter 13
“Dorian, I have a boyfriend now.”
I tightened my grip on Lucian’s hand, stepping forward from behind him to stand by his side. Dorian’s face turned ashen, as if all the color had drained away in an instant. His gaze slowly dropped, finally landing on our intertwined fingers. Our middis fingers bore matching promise rings, just like the ones Dorian and I once wore.
“Bella, are you serious?”
I took a deep breath, glanced at Lucian, and nodded firmly. “Yes, I am.”
Dorian let out a low, humorless laugh. “Do you really think he’s serious about you? Do you think he has any genuine feelings? Two years) ago, he fought with me like it was life or death over a project. And now he’s pursuing you, Isabella. Don’t you think there might be an ulterior motive? Can he honestly say he’s pursuing you without any desire to compete with me? Isabella, you’re still so naive. All men are the same. You were with me for seven years; so much happened between us. Do you really think Lucian won’t care? Do you think the two of you can truly make it and grow old together? Aren’t you afraid that being with him will just lead to another seven years like ours?”
The cheerful music had stopped without me noticing. Dorian’s voice also came to a halt. At first, there was a silence ringing in my ears, followed by a faint sound, like something gently breaking. But after that sound was a feeling of lightness and relief. You see, I didn’t even have the last bit of sadness left. It’s just a pity that life always comes with regrets.
Before today, I had no regrets about loving Dorian. Good or bad, it was part of my life. But at this moment, I couldn’t help but feel remorseful. Why did it take me seven years to realize that Dorian never truly respected me?
Lucian, with eyes full of concern, pulled me into his arms. I felt a bit pale, but I still managed a smile and shook my head at him. “I’m okay, Lucian.”
“Sweetheart, go wait in the car. I’ll handle this.“}
“I want to stay with you.” I clung to his hand, unwilling to let go. Lucian looked at me for a moment, then suddenly leaned down and kissed me hard.}]
“Bella, I’ve always acted with a clear conscience, never regretted a thing. But right now, I truly regret not taking you away from him
sooner.“}]
“What right do you have to challenge me? What kind of man takes advantage of a situation, Lucian?“M
“Dorian, you never deserved Isabella’s affection and love for seven years.“W
Maybe it was that remark that finally pushed Dorian over the edge. He lost his composure, his words spilling out without restraint. “And you, Lucian? Standing there with a woman who was with me for seven years, what gives you the right to lecture me? What do you even like about her? Is it Isabella herself or the fact that she used to be my partner?”
Lucian swung a hard punch at Dorian’s face. But Dorian wasn’t one to back down. They went at each other, soon both sporting bruises on their faces. Security arrived just in time to pull them apart. Yet the two of them continued to glare at each other fiercely, neither willing to back down an inch.
“Can we stop this already?”
