Aveline felt a bit surprised. Ever since she had last seen him at the breakfast shop, he hadn't shown up again. His sudden appearance today was indeed unexpected. After all, she had made things quite clear before. She smiled slightly and nodded. "Sure, we're almost hanyway. By the way, have you had dinner?" Russell nodded. "Yeah, I have." Aveline smiled again. "Then I don't need to cook." Russell's lips curved into a smile. His delicate, handsface took on a more mischievous look, his beautiful eyes holding an unreadable emotion as he gazed at her.
Aveline tried not to think too much about it.
The elevator doors opened, and they both entered the apartment.
Selena wasn't home, which puzzled Aveline, but she didn't ask about it.
"What would you like to drink?" she asked, glancing at Russell.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBut Russell kept his gaze fixed on her and said, "Aveline, stop fussing around. Just sit down." Aveline paused, then grabbed two glasses of juice and sat down on the living room sofa.
As twilight slowly enveloped the world outside, Russell continued to stare at Aveline's face. Suddenly, he said, "I'm getting married." Aveline froze for a moment. "Congratulations! When's the wedding? I should have enough tto prepare a gift." But Russell replied, "Aveline, I don't want your congratulations, and I don't want you at the wedding either." His words were blunt.
Aveline's fingers curled slightly, her gaze lowered. At this point, she couldn't pretend she didn't understand anymore.
She moved her lips, then spoke, "Russ, I've always been grateful to you." Russell smiled faintly. "I know, but from the beginning, I never wanted your gratitude." He looked intently at her. "If I had appeared in your life earlier, would the outcbe different now?" Aveline paused, considering his words.
"Maybe," she replied softly.
Russell let out a helpless smile. "But unfortunately there are no 'what ifs' in this world. The two of you seem like you're destined to be together. No matter how much thas passed or what you've been through, you're still not willing to let go of him." Aveline remained silent.
Russell gave a bitter smile, "Aveline, do you love him that much?" Aveline replied, "I don't love him anymore." Her tone was calm; whatever love she had once felt had disappeared amid all they had gone through.
But Russell insisted, "But your words don't match what you're really feeling. You still soften toward him, and he can still affect your emotions with what he does." Aveline paused, momentarily thrown off.
Russell looked at her seriously.
"Aveline, my marriage is just a temporary arrangement. When everything is settled in the future, if you want to leave, cfind me, and take you away. Alright?"
Aveline instinctively lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes, which held a hint of earnestness and deep emotion. He ΕΠ wasn't hiding anything anymore. She picked up her juice, took a sip, then gripped the glass tightly.
"Russ, don't do this," she said softly.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmSeeing her reaction, Russell knew exactly what it meant she wasn't willing to leave with him.
He lowered his head, his lips curving slightly in a strained smile. When he looked up again he said, said, "Alright,è don't feel burdened by it. My feelings for you are my own business; they have nothing to do with V Swnow Aveline felt her heart in turmoil, unsure how to respond. The complexity of their relationship left no room for a proper response.
Besides, she wasn't divorced yet, and he was about to be married. Everything was just too complicated.
"Remember, even if you find out the date of my wedding, don't come, n Russell said, his gaze steady on hers, n.
making his request clear.