The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 490

"Instead of making you miserable every single day, it's better for me to just gracefully walk away. If I do that, maybe I can at least leave you with a good memory of me. Maybe then, you won't forget me so easily."

"Adrian, as long as I have a tiny place in your heart, that's enough for me."

Her dramatic, self-sacrificing monologue threw Adrian's mind into complete turmoil.

He had come down here fully intending to rip her apart. He had even been prepared to slap her again.

But this tragic, selfless performance left him utterly disarmed.

He sat in heavy silence for a long time. No one knew what was going through his head.

It wasn't until the cigarette burned down and the ash singed his fingers that he finally snapped out of his trance.

He stared intensely at Audrey. Her fragile, helpless, utterly pathetic demeanor chipped away at his icy exterior. His heart softened.

Adrian reached his hand out toward her, his voice dropping to a gentle murmur. "Come here."

Audrey furiously shook her head. "No, Adrian. If you do that, you're just going to give me false hope all over again."

Adrian didn't listen. He reached over and yanked her forcefully into his chest.

Her body felt stiff and ice-cold against him.

"I never once thought about letting you leave with Leo. He's my flesh and blood. How could I ever let my son go?"

Audrey sniffled, sounding utterly heartbroken. "I know. Leo means more to you than I do."

A smirk touched Adrian's lips, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You idiot. Are you seriously jealous of your own son? You and Leo are both important to me."

Audrey jerked her head up, her eyes wide with manufactured disbelief. "Adrian... what did you just say?"

"You heard me perfectly well," he murmured.

Audrey continued to play her part, looking entirely unconvinced. "Am I... really important to you?"

"Of course you are."

"Adrian!" Audrey threw her arms around his neck, burying her face into his shoulder. "I thought I meant absolutely nothing to you anymore!"

Adrian gave her back a few obligatory, comforting pats. "Don't be ridiculous. If you meant nothing to me, would I have kept you around this long?"

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