He Never Noticed Me Until I Loved Someone Else novel Chapter 285

It was Lucca.

He walked in carrying breakfast, exhaustion etched deeply into the lines of his face.

Seeing that she was already awake, he set the food down and approached her.

"You're up? Come have something to eat."

Acting as though nothing had happened the night before, he casually reached out to pinch her nose affectionately.

She dodged his touch, leveling him with a deadpan stare. "Give me back my phone."

"I threw it away," he replied shamelessly, leaning in close. "Forgive me, and I'll have a brand-new one delivered right now."

She wasn't in the mood for his games. "Give it back."

"I'm serious, I tossed it." He flopped onto the bed beside her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Baby, don't be mad. I didn't sleep a wink last night. If you're still pissed, just punch me a few times."

He pressed his cheek into the palm of her hand as he spoke.

Usually, she would have crumbled against his relentless charm, playfully swatting him before ultimately caving in.

Right now, she only felt bone-deep exhaustion.

Yanking her hand away, she didn't utter another word as she slid out of bed and headed for the door.

Realizing she was trying to leave, a flash of fury crossed his face. He lunged forward, grabbing her arm to yank her back.

"When are you going to drop this? Enough is enough!"

"It was just one woman, is it really that serious?" he spat. "Men in my position are expected to play the game sometimes! What does it matter as long as you're the one I actually love?"

Staring at him, a wave of profound sorrow washed over her. She knew damn well he had no intention of marrying her; he was just tossing out empty promises to manipulate her into staying.

Besides, he said "as soon as I wrap things up with Aria." That meant things weren't over between them yet.

Over the last few days—hell, maybe even last night while he was locking her in this room—he had probably still been stringing that girl along.

Which meant all his previous excuses about having absolutely nothing to do with Aria and just "helping her out" were nothing but dirty lies.

"Lucca, I used to want to marry you. I wanted to build a life with you. But I don't need that anymore."

Her voice finally cracked with emotion. Wiping a stray tear from the corner of her eye, she looked at him with unyielding determination. "I'm not doing this to spite you. I've made my decision. I am leaving you."

She had always been so reasonable and forgiving; no matter how angry she got, she usually bounced back after a day or two. This time, however, she was refusing to back down, cementing the brutal reality that she was actually walking away!