Zachary shielded me behind him, his face full of contempt. “Mr. Thorne, I know a little about what happened between you two. I didn’t bring it up because I was afra-
id of upsetting Sophia. If you really loved her, you wouldn’t have spent every day wondering if she was a gold digger. Even if someone was trying to stir up trouble,
the auction proved it. You don’t love her. I give her gifts without asking for anything in return, as long as she’s happy. I’m willing to spend any amount of money. I
just want to see that moment of joy when she receives a gift. You can’t do that. You care too much about money. If you love someone, you give them the best. You
didn’t.”
Zachary’s words hit Damian like a ton of bricks, one after another. When he saw me clutching Zachary’s hand tightly, he knew.
I would never go back to him.
I would never forgive him.
“Damian, I don’t love you anymore.”
“Because of you, I lost so much. My mother. My friends. My career. I’ve done enough. If you have any guilt, then don’t come looking for me again. The thought of having you in my life… it makes me sick.”
With that, I pulied Zachary away without looking back.
Damian watched my retreating back, tears uncontrollably streaming down his face. He reached out as if to grab me, but I was already getting further and further
away. A wave of heartache and suffocation washed over him.
“Sophia… I’m… I’m sorry.”
Zachary turned and saw the broken, sobbing Damian, and sighed with a mixture of emotions.
After walking for a while, Zachary took my hand, this time leading the way. “Didn’t we agree I’d take pictures for you?”
I followed him, confused. When he stopped, I peeked over his shoulder.
A whole field of camellias.
“How did you know I liked…”
“Sophia, will you be my girlfriend?”
Zachary and I spoke at the same time. His voice drowned out mine.
Who proposes like that? My face turned red.
“I really like you, Sophia. I’ll be good to you. Can you give me a chance?”
“How did you know I liked camellias? I never told you,” I asked, puzzled.
“Don’t you always wear that scent of perfume? And there are a few in your courtyard.”
“I have other flowers in my courtyard too,” I pressed.
“But no matter what you’re doing, you always seem to be facing the camellias. You take the best care of them. When you’re in a bad mood, you like to tend to them
He was so cold and aloof to others, but so observant with me.
I smiled and replied softly, “If you take good pictures of me, I’ll consider giving you a chance.”
“Really?” Zachary’s eyes lit up as he grabbed my hands.
Really”
He was really a good person. So sincere, so passionate.
