The Apple of My Eye novel Chapter 1013

"I..." George faltered, not knowing how to reply. He was dying to take his revenge that he ignored how important a marriage was to a girl.

He had already broken Sula's heart in the process. And if that was not enough, he still tried to use her to achieve his goal. He was not even sure how he could bear causing her this much pain and trouble.

Sula's eyes remained glued onto him. A bitter smile flashed on her face as she clarified his motives, "You proposed to me because you want to get even with Holley, right?"

"Sula, I can explain," George tried to defend himself. But the heartbroken girl refused to hear his explanation. 'What was even there to explain?' she thought to herself. Eyes simmering with bitterness, she interrupted him, "I know how much you love her. I was too naive and wayward. I thought that as long as I stay with you, you would pay more attention to me. So I treated you well and waited patiently. I supposed you would be touched and, eventually, you would fall in love with me.

But I have changed, George. I am no longer the girl who would be too excited to sleep at night just because of your praising words."

She continued calmly, "After so many things that had happened these past few days, I realized that your love towards Holley is well-founded and I can never win your heart.

Even after you learnt about all the terrible things that she had done behind your back, you still have no heart to expose her lies. You only wanted to get even and see her suffer. Your love for her is too strong."

"No, Sula, you've misunderstood," George retorted weakly. He couldn't deny that Sula saw through him.

A self-mocking smile emerged on his face. He kept his head down and swallowed what he had intended to say. He could feel the weight of her stare on his shoulder even without looking.

"I have reflected a lot and as much as I want to, I know that I can't force you to love me," Sula began soberly. She paused to give him time to oppose her thoughts, but he never did. "I am going back to Korea," she finally announced. "I am done getting in between you and Holley. If you really feel sorry for me, please let me go after the meal.

I don't want to be used as a tool for your schemes."

"Sula," George called out hesitantly. He halted for a moment to regain his composure and to collect himself. Resting his eyes on Sula, he earnestly confessed, "I know that I hurt your feelings and disappointed you. I admit that I proposed to you mainly because I want to take revenge on Holley. But I also said that I wanted to compensate you, and I mean it.

It's true that I love Holley very much. We have been together for three years. It's not that easy to just let her go." He smiled miserably and then continued, "But after she has done so many bad things and made a fool of me, how could I not hate her? Anyone in my shoes will love to see her reap what she sowed.

I know I haven't taken your feelings into consideration. I thought that you would always be there no matter what I did to you. Turns out I was wrong." Frowning, he said frankly, "So I mustered up all my courage before I came here."

Gazing into Sula's eyes, he blurted out his thoughts, "You are right, I am not in love with you now. But if you can give me a chance, I promise that I will stay and take good care of you. I will not hurt you again. Can you please give me a chance?"

Meeting his earnest gaze, Sula responded, "Love cannot be forced, George. No matter how hard you try, you can't force yourself to fall in love with someone you don't love.