Chapter 11/
After that, Jared kept a respectful distance. He was considerate and knew exactly how to behave, making his presence comfortable rather than overwhelming. Briella had to admit that having a friend like him around was nice. She soon adjusted to life abroad, going to college and living peacefully.”
Briella’s art allowed her to create any world she desired and she felt a long–lost sense of tranquility. She hadn’t thought about Sheldon in a long time. However, she never expected that two months later, she would see him again. It was a late afternoon. She was heading home after class when, just as she stepped out of the elevator, someone pulled her into an embrace, Briella let out a startled scream, only to hear a familiar voice a second later. “Ella, I finally found you.”
Her entire body stiffened and she forcefully pushed him away. The man in front of her was almost unrecognizable, Sheldon had always been effortlessly charming, carrying a lazy sophistication, always in control.
Now, he looked exhausted. His sharp jawline was covered in stubble, his expression worn down, his once–imposing aura reduced to nothing. Standing there awkwardly, he looked like a stray dog that had been abandoned. Briella was momentarily taken aback before regaining her composure. Her voice was cold. “What are you doing here?”
Sheldon looked at her pleadingly. “I… I came to apologize.” The old Sheldon would never have imagined that one day, he would lower himself for love. Still, he realized after spending days alone in that empty villa without Briella it was nothing but a living hell.
She wasn’t there, yet every part of the house was filled with her presence. He couldn’t sleep. No matter how much he closed his eyes, he saw her. Her smile, her tears, her gentleness and her determination. So vivid, as if she were right there. Sadly, whenever he reached out, he grasped nothing but cold air.
He tried drowning himself in alcohol, only to dream of holding her, becoming addicted to the illusion. It was Jesse who snapped him out of it with a bucket of ice water. “If you’re a real man, quit this pathetic act! With today’s technology, no matter where she is, you can find her. If you truly love her, go win her back!”
It was like waking from a dream. Sheldon gave up the Law Family’s multi–million–dollar contract and publicly called off his engagement to Celia. She was furious, cursing him for three days straight and even rallying other families against him, but he didn’t care. All he wanted was Briella. Countless sleepless nights later, he finally found his treasure. Sheldon was flustered. “Ella, I’m sorry. I was a fool. I made so many mistakes. You can yell at me, hit me. I won’t fight back. Please, forgive me?”
There was a time when Briella desperately wished for his apology. She had imagined that if he ever regretted his actions, she would be overwhelmed with emotions, crying and laughing at the same time. Still, he had only ever given her lies. Now, hearing his long–overdue “sorry,” she felt nothing at all. Briella nodded indifferently. “I accept your apology. Now, please leave.“/
She turned to enter her home without the slightest hesitation. Panic–stricken, Sheldon grabbed her wrist. “Ella, you forgive me, right? I knew it, you still love me! Let’s start over. I swear I’ll never hurt you again. I miss you so much.“/
Briella frowned and yanked her hand away. “Sheldon, we’re over. I won’t forgive you and I’ll never go back to you. Stop interfering in my life.”
If she had hysterically questioned him why, Sheldon would have felt more confident. That would have meant she was at least willing to argue with him, but seeing her so calm and heartless, Sheldon completely panicked. “No! Ella, I didn’t agree to break up! You said you loved me, that means you’ll love me forever! It’s not over between us, it can’t be!”
“It’s not over between us, it can’t be!” He became more and more agitated, pressing closer, forcefully trying to kiss her. But a sudden force yanked him away and a solid punch landed on his face.
