Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2745

“I knew you were the best!” Manley cooed, about to hug Estelle again.

This time, Estelle didn’t indulge him, pushing him away. “Alright, don’t push your luck. Go back to sleep.”

Only then did Manley stand up. “As you wish. I’ll go to bed. I have to get up early tomorrow to see you in your wedding dress.”

Estelle also stood. “Manley, let this be the end of it. Love yourself, find a good girl, and love her well.”

Manley stood with his back to her, his figure seemingly frozen in the night. After a moment, he turned back and gave her a radiant smile. “Don’t try to push me off on someone else just to ease your own guilt.”

Estelle’s eyes were clear. “It’s not guilt. I just… my heart aches for you.”

Manley’s gaze was deep and profound, the lamplight casting a soft glow in his eyes. “Estelle, by coming here tonight, I’ve already let everything go. I just wanted to see you get married. Don’t feel sorry for me. We may not have lasted a lifetime as lovers, but we can definitely be friends for a lifetime. So, I’m actually very happy.”

Estelle slowly nodded. “Okay.”

Manley held out his arms to her. “One more hug.”

Estelle took a step toward him.

With that single step, Manley’s vision blurred again. He embraced her, tilting his head back slightly. “I won’t say things like ‘If he ever hurts you, I’ll always be here,’ because I would rather stand behind you forever than ever see you get hurt.”

Estelle’s voice caught. “I know.”

Manley gently stroked her long hair. “You have to be happy. It’s the only way my letting Jonathan have you will have been worth it.”

Estelle looked down at their two shadows on the ground and slowly nodded.

“I will be.”

Manley didn’t hold her for long. He soon let go and said goodbye as he always did, “Go get some sleep. See you tomorrow.”

Perhaps it was seeing her grandfather's photo album, or the memory of Manley's tearful eyes, but her heart was far from calm.

Manley’s words had moved her, but it couldn't be helped—she had fallen in love with Jonathan first.

If she could do it all over again, she still wouldn't change her choice, but she would hope not to meet Manley.

If they had never met, he would still be the dashing Manley Scott, still making headlines for showering some starlet with lavish gifts, still buying a dessert shop on a whim for his new girlfriend.

But thinking about it, their meeting and the time they spent together had been filled with so many unforeseeable moments.

The evening wind brushed against her face, cool but gentle as it whispered past her ear.

Estelle shook off her wandering thoughts and took out her phone. She saw that Jonathan had sent her a flurry of messages, clearly planning to stay up all night.

She sent a reply and turned to go inside to sleep.