Chapter 29: The Art of Pretending to Let Go, But It’s Too Late to Regret
Chapter 29: The Art of Pretending to Let Go, But It’s Too Late to Regret
As soon as Elodie saw Mateo, she immediately stood up and positioned herself between him and Lily.
“Mateo, what do you think you’re doing? There are so many people watching! You can’t just bully women like this!” she said, her words slurring due to the alcohol.
Mateo, too lazy to argue with a drunken woman, glanced past Elodie, his eyes settling on Lily’s face.
“Nice try with the ‘pretending to let go‘ act,” he said with a slight smirk, “but I’m not buying
Lily, still confused, spoke up, “Who are you talking about?”
“Nice act,” Mateo continued, “weren’t you the one who called me this afternoon? What’s the matter? Did you get desperate when I didn’t answer your call?”
With a faint sneer, he added, “You actually followed me all the way here? Lily, is this how desperate you are for my attention?”
As soon as Mateo finished speaking, a curious crowd of onlookers turned their attention toward them.
The recent drama between the two families had made headlines multiple times, and everyone was watching with bated breath, eager to see Lily’s reaction after Mateo’s sudden change of fiancee.
Lily calmly swept a loose strand of hair behind her ear. When she raised her head again, her gaze was cold and indifferent, with no trace of emotion.
“Mateo, where did you get the idea that I’ve been following you around? And seeking your attention? Who do you think you are?”
Mateo was caught off guard. He had never seen Lily look at him like this before, so cold, so unfeeling. It threw him off.
He scowled, “What game are you playing?”
His sharp eyes narrowed as if trying to peel back her façade.
“You’ve been sneaking around with my sister, Eliza, for a while now,” Mateo said, his voice filled with mockery.
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“The reporters caught you two yesterday. Now you’re just trying to distance yourself from me for the sake of ‘saving face‘, aren’t you?”
Lily’s voice was steady and deliberate as she responded, “A man who can’t even decide where his heart lies -why should I waste my time following you? Why should I beg you? Who do you think you are?”
Mateo’s face twisted with fury. Lily had just openly accused him of being involved with Eliza, making it clear to everyone that they were already having an affair.
In the past, Lily had been so reserved, even when jealous, she wouldn’t air her grievances in front of others.
She would silently bear it all. But tonight, Lily was different.
A bitter laugh escaped Mateo’s lips as he finally understood, “I get it now. You were hurt when news of my marriage to Eliza broke, weren’t you? You never thought I’d matter this much to you, Lily.”
Lily’s eyes grew colder. “Care about you? Where did you get that idea? Your assumptions are so outdated.”
Mateo was speechless.
“Let me remind you, Mateo,” Lily continued, her voice firm and unwavering, “I’m the one who broke off our engagement. I’m the one who walked away. Eliza is just picking up the pieces, thinking she found something valuable in the trash.”
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From His Cell to His Uncle’s Bed
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Chapter 29: The Art of Pretending to Let Go, But It’s Too Late to Regret
“Lily! Do you even know what you’re saying?”
Mateo’s voice cracked with anger, his face turning pale as his chest heaved with fury.
The crowd around them murmured in shock, some even making mocking comments. Mateo clenched his fists, trying to stay composed.
As the heir to the Gates family, no one had ever dared speak to him this way.
Lily was the first to openly challenge him. Who gave her the courage to do so?
Mateo’s eyes darkened with a dangerous glint. His voice came out cold, almost like it was forced through clenched teeth: “Apologize to me now, and I’ll
let this slide.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong. Why would I apologize to you?”
Mateo’s temples throbbed with anger.
“So, you think I won’t do anything about it?”
“You’re just trying to get me to notice you, right?” Mateo’s grip on his temper began to falter.
“Fine, come with me then,” he said, grabbing Lily’s arm and pulling her toward the door.
Elodie rushed to stop him, but one fierce glare from Mateo made her stumble back and fall to the ground, her head hitting the floor.
She winced in pain, but the sharp sensation snapped her out of her drunken haze.
Lily tried to break free, but Mateo, fueled by anger, yanked her by the arm, dragging her towards the exit.
Despite her smaller size, Lily struggled, and after being pulled a few meters, she suddenly bit down hard on his arm, her teeth sinking into his flesh.
Mateo recoiled, his eyes widening in shock and pain. The pain caused his pupils to contract.
Blood started to seep from his arm where Lily had bitten him, leaving a visible mark on his skin.
The lights of the bar flickered, casting a colorful glow on Lily’s red dress. Yet, she stood there cold and unfeeling, her expression mocking.
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She casually wiped the blood from her lips with her thumb, her gaze fixed on Mateo as she spoke with a sarcastic smile:
“Mateo, tell me, who’s the one who’s really obsessed now?”
Mateo’s eyes dropped to her left hand, where a sparkling ring caught the light.
He narrowed his eyes, his expression turning dangerous.
Following his gaze, Lily looked down at her own hand, where the diamond ring glimmered brilliantly under the lights, blindingly bright.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” she said, her voice low but sharp, “I’m married now. Please show some respect and keep your distance.”
Mateo froze.
In the span of just a few days, she had found someone else to marry? She couldn’t possibly love anyone else.
Her heart couldn’t hold another man.
“You think wearing a fake ring makes you married? Playing house now, are we?” Mateo sneered, his anger reaching its peak.
The noise from the scene had gathered more and more attention, as the crowd continued to gather, eyes fixed on them.
10.21
From His Cell to His Uncle’s Bed
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Chapter 29: The Art of Pretending to Let Go. But It’s Too Late to Regret
The ring was too conspicuous. Mateo turned his gaze away, no longer looking at it.
Lily’s words echoed in the air, “Believe it or not, I am married. Mateo, dare to touch me again, and you’ll regret it.”
Mateo’s jaw clenched, his eyes burning with fury. His voice was a low growl as he pulled her toward him again, “I admit, you’ve really pissed me off
this time.”
His long strides carried them swiftly, and before Lily could react, he pulled her into him so suddenly that she almost stumbled into his chest.
Lily quickly steadied herself, but as they passed a table, she grabbed a bottle of wine and, without hesitation, smashed it against his hand.
“Don’t touch me. You’re filthy!”
