Chapter 1686:

Tracy let out a bitter laugh. “Do I really need to remind you? We had a wedding, but we were never truly husband and wife.”

Shaun’s tone sharpened. “I wanted to marry you! I did! So why did you—”

“Because I couldn’t commit to a man who, just moments before our wedding, was more concerned with another woman than with his own bride.”

Tracy gave a bitter chuckle. “Eventually, I understood. You never really loved me. That’s why letting go—even on our wedding day—was so easy for you.”

A flicker of panic crossed Shaun’s face. He shook his head, his voice filled with urgency. “No, that’s not true! It wasn’t like that! I had just taken over the family business—I needed the Ruiz family’s backing. My hesitation wasn’t about you. I was securing my place in the company!”

remained silent for a moment before a hollow laugh escaped her. “You just proved my point. Love was never your priority. And so, I was the one left behind, dealing

“I was wrong. I was young and reckless.

“And now that you have it all—power,

pressed his lips together, struggling

how much you gain, there’s always something missing. And that void, Shaun, isn’t filled with

his grief nearly

a bitter chuckle. “I loved you once, Shaun. Four years in college, and another year after we graduated. I watched you push yourself—taking over the company, chasing deal after deal. Not for wealth or status, but for your parents’ approval. Because the only time you ever felt their love was in those rare moments of success.” She met his stunned gaze. “Even now, looking back, can you honestly call that love? They cherished your achievements, not you. When you succeeded, they praised you. When you stumbled, they tore you down. You spent your life

𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤

froze, caught off guard. He had never imagined she could see through the mask he had worn for so long—into the cracks beneath, to the fragile,

all of that… if you knew

still loved you. It hurt—watching you chase approval that never truly came, pushing yourself to exhaustion for

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