CHAPTER 173: CHAPTER 173 THE CONFESSION OF A PAST

After walking to the balcony, I lit the candles, with champagne in an ice-filled bucket. The filet mignon was tender and juicy, and taking a bite was incredibly satisfying.

We clinked glasses, flushing her already slightly shy face.

Her charm was not the affected coquetry of a twenty-something girl, nor the mature feeling of a woman in her thirties.

Instead, she was somewhat similar to Ruby, but her enthusiasm was genuine. When she was with me, there was a hint of shyness.

But she always curled up when she slept without a sense of security. I knew she had suffered a lot of inner pain.

"I’m a little drunk." I said.

"You only took one sip. How can you be drunk?"

"Because I love you." I said with a smile.

Jessica smiled. "You have a sweet mouth!"

She reached out her hand, looking at the ring on her ring finger, her eyes full of anticipation. "I never thought I would become your girlfriend."

I held her hand. "Does the wound still hurt?"

At this point, a hint of pain flashed between her eyebrows. "The one on my face has healed, but the ones on my body haven’t."

"Can I give you a massage with essential oils later?" Jessica asked.

I touched her nose. "From today on, I won’t allow anyone to harm you."

She showed a girlish and playful smile on her face. "If he continues to harass you, call me."

The smile on Jessica’s face froze again. She shook her head with a bitter smile. "I really want to leave this place, but my parents live here. I can’t leave. Even if I do, he will find me."

"What does he do? Why are you so afraid of him?"

"Can we not talk about him? I will handle it. Trust me." She held my hand back, her eyes filled with mist again, a hint of pleading and weariness in her eyes.

My heart tightened suddenly.

I thought, ’Even after the divorce, is she still unable to escape from that person?’

I held her hand tightly. "Don’t be afraid. You can’t handle this alone. I will be with you."

"No, it’s okay. I can handle it myself."

"Jessica, look into my eyes!" I suddenly growled, locking eyes with her. "I’m your boyfriend, so we should share both pleasure and responsibility. Do you see me as a bedmate to play with, or is that how you see me in your heart?"

"No, it’s not like that." Tears welled up in her eyes again.

"Okay, have you ever thought about the future?" I said solemnly, "In the future, are we going to have a clandestine relationship? When it comes to getting married, are we going to register secretly? After registering, do we have to tell others that we are just ordinary friends?"

"No, it’s not like that, I..."

"What do you mean it’s not like that? That’s how I see it!"

I gritted my teeth. "If that’s the case, then we might as well not start at all. That way, I won’t have to worry about anything."

"William, what do you mean by that?" She looked fearful.

This sentence probably triggered her inner shadow, but I had to do that.

"I mean, if you’re like this, then let’s not start. That way, I’ll be as you wish, and I won’t have to worry or be troubled." I said firmly. "If you’re looking for a friend with benefits or a bedmate, then I don’t have time to play with you. Give me back the ring!"

I reached out my hand, my face turning cold. "Perhaps in the future, he will use his power to convince your parents, and then you. Under pressure, you will remarry him. In that case, wouldn’t it be difficult for you if I stood in the middle?"

She tightly held her hand. "No, I can’t give you the ring. You gave it to me."

Tears streamed down her face. "I would never. I would rather kill him than remarry him."

She explained for a long time and finally said, "If you don’t believe me, then let’s go get married tomorrow. Do you dare?"

Damn!

When I heard this, I knew I had overplayed. But if I backed down at this point, she would definitely suspect.

I gritted my teeth. "I dare. But I don’t want to do it sneakily. Do you dare to make it public? If you dare, then we’ll get married tomorrow!"

Jessica was both anxious and helpless, tears streaming down her face. "Marriage is fine, but we can’t make it public for now. Once I get rid of him, then we can announce it to the world."

I knew she would say that.

I sighed, walked over to her, and lifted her. She sat on my lap and I gently wiped away her tears. "I understand your difficulties, but I am a man. If I can’t even protect my woman, why should I be with you? Why should I promise to protect you for a lifetime? Do you think I’m an eighteen-year-old boy who speaks sweet words but can’t fulfill them? You are past the age of listening to sweet words. I know how heavy promises can be. So, it’s useless to avoid something that can’t be avoided. Do you understand?"

Jessica nodded. "I understand. I don’t want you to get hurt."

"No matter how rich and powerful he is, I don’t care. Whoever hurts you, I will fight with them!" I swore.

Jessica bit her lip, looking at me with a serious expression. "Are you really willing to face the future with me?"

I replied impatiently, "Not really. Give me back the ring, okay?"

She kissed me on the corner of my mouth. "No, this is what you gave me. Unless, in the future, you take it off yourself and put a diamond ring on me! Otherwise, I won’t take it off!"

Then she lay in my arms and slowly began to talk about her ex-husband.

Her ex-husband was Joseph Garcia, a typical guy born with a silver spoon. He was Jessica’s college classmate.

Because of his wealth and fair looks, Joseph had many admirers. In college, he pursued her vigorously, but at that time, Jessica never considered romance.

After graduating from college, Joseph continued to pursue her. Slowly, she was moved by his persistence, and they got together.

Regarding the rumors about Joseph during college, he managed to explain them away with various excuses.

During their courtship, Joseph was still very considerate to her. However, after marriage, he revealed his nature.

He was a typical spoiled boy who would resort to violence when things didn’t go his way. Their marriage was a very painful two years for her.

But his family was very wealthy. TY Media was owned by his family, or more precisely, by his mother.

His father was also quite influential, a senior executive in a state-owned enterprise.

His grandfather was a retired official, and his grandmother was a university professor. Their connections in Sevan were intricate. The Garcia family was a typical local tyrant that couldn’t be trifled with.

I was amazed, thinking that this situation was not as simple as it seemed.