Chapter 23
When Mason arrived at Phoenix’s home, she was watching television on the sofa.
“You’re back?”
Professor Reed also looked toward Mason. “Mason’s back?”
Mason handed Phoenix a cake box,
“Yes, I passed by that bakery you like and bought you something.”
Phoenix hesitated before asking. “How’s he?”
Mason paused. “He’s fine, but keeps saying he wants to see you.”
Hearing Mason’s words, Mr. Reed snorted derisively.
“What right does he have to see Phoenix? He should have protected her!”
Both Mason and Phoenix smiled at his protectiveness.
Though Mason feared Phoenix might rekindle feelings for Julian after he took a knife for her, he respected her enough to ask:
“De you want to see him?”
Phoenix hesitated before nodding.
A flash of imperceptible sadness crossed Mason’s eyes.
Mr. Reed also assumed Phoenix still had feelings for Julian and snorted again.
“How can you still think of him after all he did to hurt you?”
Mr. Reed’s tone carried disappointment.
Phoenix realized Mason and her father had misunderstood and quickly explained, “I’m not hung up on him, nor am I rekindling old feelings. I just think this needs closure.”
Phoenix sighed. “He currently believes I’ll forgive him because he saved me. If I never see him, he’ll cling to this fantasy forever. If he keeps thinking this way, who knows what he might do in the future.”
Phoenix took Mason’s arm. “I’m with you now. I won’t think of anyone else.”
The next day, Mason accompanied Phoenix to the hospital.
Julian firmly believed that saving Phoenix meant she would forgive him.
After Phoenix’s explanation yesterday, Mason understood. Only Phoenix herself could definitively shatter Julian’s illusions and end this chapter.
Chapter 23
When Phoenix entered, Julian tried to get out of bed but immediately clutched his wound and Jay back down.
“Phoenix, you came to see me. I’m so happy.”
Julian deliberately lowered his voice, trying to appear more vulnerable.
Phoenix said little, moving the bedside chair further away before sitting.
“You wanted to see me. What did you want to say?”
Julian noticed Mason standing nearby. “I want to speak with you alone.”
Phoenix looked at Mason.
Mason nodded. “I’ll wait outside. Call if you need anything.”
Seeing Mason leave, Julian immediately tried to take Phoenix’s hand, but she pulled away.
“If you have nothing else to say, I’ll leave.”
Julian’s eyes reflected pain. “Phoenix, you still won’t forgive me?”
Phoenix avoided Julian’s gaze. “Julian, I appreciate you saving me, but that has nothing to do with our relationship. I’ve told you many times–we’re over.”
Julian still tried to hold onto her. “Phoenix, we had something real, didn’t we?”
Phoenix wouldn’t even look at him. “Yes, we had something once. I did love you deeply, but that’s limited to the past.”
“Julian, you’re eight years older than me. When we were together, were you thinking about our future, or using me to reminisce about Elise?”
“When I told you I was pregnant, when you named our child, were you thinking about our relationship, or your obsession with Elise, using even our child to commemorate her?”
“When you repeatedly deceived me, meeting Elise behind my back, were you thinking about our relationship, or your old feelings for her?”
“Relationship? How dare you mention that to me? If you had even a shred of feeling for me, you wouldn’t have been involved with Elise while I carried your child.”
Julian was speechless, eventually managing: “Phoenix, I was wrong before. Please forgive me.”
Thinking of their child, Phoenix couldn’t help but tear up.
Julian reached to wipe her tears, but she also pulled away.
“Julian, it’s over between us, completely over.”
Phoenix looked at him. “Julian, if you ever had any feelings for me at all, please, I’m begging you–let me go. Your love is too heavy. I can’t bear it. Let me go.”
Chapter 23
Julian stared at the tearful Phoenix, his hand reaching to wipe her tears before withdrawing.
After a long silence, Julian sighed.
“Phoenix. I’m sorry. You can go.”
