It would be a lie to say Alia Avery wasn’t moved by Leo Joyce’s words. For years, he was the only one who was utterly devoted to her, fulfilling any request she made, no matter how outrageous.
’But feelings are just strange like that sotis. For soone you don’t love, it doesn’t matter how good they are to you or how much they move you—you just don’t love them. You can never force yourself to. But for the one you do love, it doesn’t matter how much they hurt you—you just love them. You can never force yourself to stop.’
’Even when you know you’ll end up completely and utterly broken, you still can’t help but love them...’
’Maybe falling in love just makes us all this pathetic.’
She fought back her tears, gently pushed Leo Joyce away, and forced a smile. "Leo Joyce, you’re a grown man. Why are you being so lodramatic?"
"If it’s for you, I’ll be as lodramatic as I want, and I’ll gladly do it!" Leo Joyce said, his voice hoarse as he stared intently at Alia Avery.
Alia Avery tilted her head back and laughed smugly. "Too bad for you. I don’t like lodramatic n."
Leo Joyce’s lips curled into a roguish grin. He pulled her in by the waist, lowering his head until he was right next to her lips, and said playfully, "Then tell , what kind of man do you like? Domineering, proud, cold, devilish, or... a player?" He spoke the last two words very, very softly, but Alia Avery still heard him.
The smile on her face vanished instantly. She shoved Leo Joyce away and said coldly, "I like players!"
Leo Joyce didn’t get angry. Instead, he took a step back and said with a bitter smile, "Right. That’s why you like Cassian Jennings." ’He wished he could be a player like Cassian Jennings, not so fixated on one woman. But after all these years, he still couldn’t change. Even if Alia Avery didn’t like him, he would wait—wait for her to realize his good qualities, wait for her to co and love him...’
"That’s right, I like Cassian Jennings. I still like him even though I know he’s about to marry soone else." She never felt the need to hide her affections.
’Liking soone isn’t a choice. She and Leo Joyce were, and always would be, just best friends. Nothing more! And it could never be anything more!’
Seeing them go from a passionate embrace to a sudden falling out, Tiana Grayson couldn’t help but frown with worry. "Alia..."
Hearing Tiana’s voice, Alia Avery quickly composed her somber expression and forced a smile. She looked at Tiana and explained, "Tiana, did we just scare you? Don’t worry, this brat and I aren’t fighting!" ’If she scared Tiana right after returning to the country, she would never be able to forgive herself.’
"Mm... Alia, I’m fine. Don’t worry..."
Leo Joyce noticed Tristan Grayson’s sour expression. He walked over, slipped an arm around Tiana’s waist, and grinned. "Tiana, it looks like it’s ti to work on that timid nature of yours."
"Ah?" Tiana Grayson’s heart leaped into her throat as Leo Joyce suddenly held her like that. Blushing, she stamred, "W-work on what?"
"Your nerve, of course! I asked the doctors. They said for patients with your condition, the best thod is to revisit the situation from back then and completely eradicate the resulting trauma!"
"Eradicate it? Is that really possible?"
"Yes, it is. Trust ! And since Alia is here this ti, we can get rid of this condition of yours once and for all!" Leo Joyce nodded with certainty.
Alia Avery naturally had no objections, but she added, "Helping Tiana is important, but the most important thing right now is that you, Leo Joyce, have to help stop Cassian Jennings from getting married!"
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