Chapter 25

"Samuel, once was enough. The pain you and Elise caused me isn't something time can simply erase. If everything you're doing today was the reason you saved me the other day, then I'd rather it had been me lying in that hospital bed. Using that to guilt-trip me is shameless." Samuel's heart sank at her words, and he slowly rose to his feet. Annabelle continued, "I don't want your love, and I won't give you mine. Do I need to say it again? I don't love you anymore." "If you don't love me, then why did you hire someone to pretend to be your lover just to get under my skin? If you don't love me, why do you still care that I got hurt?" he asked, his voice trembling. Annabelle stared at him blankly without even bothering to explain. Panicked, Samuel grabbed her hand. "Are you still angry with me? It's okay. I'll show you I've changed. Don't say things like that. I'm begging you, Annabelle." Annabelle wordlessly pulled her hand away and turned to leave. The crowd tried to stop her, bu