Though she didn’t give me a direct answer, I was sure now that Arthur was definitely not a man to trust. He was up to something. But what? I wish Sierra would’ve told me everything. But clearly, she was scared. How dangerous Arthur could be that if she opened her mouth, she feared he’d harm her?

A shudder ran through my spine.

“Em? Are you listening?” A hand waved before my face, pulling me out of my thoughts. Warner had a tiny frown between his brows as he watched me.

“Sorry. What did you say?”

“I asked if you’re doing well now. I mean, when I met you yesterday, you were a mess.”

After getting out of Sierra’s building, I got a message from him asking if I wanted to grab some drinks together. So here we were, sitting at a small buzzing cafe, sipping on our hot beverages.

“Yeah, I’m fine now. Even went to the office today.” Ace’s confession echoed in my head. A blush rose to my neck as I twirled the bracelet. The bracelet he gave to me.

He… loved me.

Warmth surged through my chest, along with the flutters in my tummy. I wanted to close my eyes and relive the moment when he said those words to me again and again.

After talking to Tobias and then him, it felt like a huge burden had been lifted off my chest. Though it still hurt thinking of everything, I felt somewhat lighter now. I could see the reasons. After all, we all were young back then.

“You went to the office again? I thought after what he did, you wouldn’t even see his face ever again!” he stated in disbelief.

I heaved a sigh. “It was the original plan. But I’m bound by a contract, remember? I had to go.”

“You could make him terminate the contract if you wanted. But clearly, you already forgave him, didn’t you? You forgot how he used your sister to break your heart!” he snapped.

My eyes narrowed at his tone. “I didn’t forgive him yet. And he didn’t use my sister to break my heart. Tess volunteered. And… he had a reason to do that. Not that I support his way, but he was only looking out for my well-being. Even if nothing much good happened in my life after his stunt.”

Irritation flared inside me again, recalling everything that happened since the last seven years. I couldn’t say he was totally wrong for his reasons, because they were valid. He truly wanted what was good for me. But in the process, he hurt us both.

“Yet? That means you’re considering forgiving him? You’re so lost in him to see he isn’t the right guy for you. Don’t you see how he behaves with you? He wants to control your life, Em. And you’re letting him!”