Bound by love: Marrying my Disabled Husband by Devocean

Chapter 1830:

Clive hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor as if the truth were hiding somewhere in the grain of the polished wood. “Did you figure out it was me? How did you know?”

Elyse smiled. “It wasn’t easy to guess,” she admitted. “But your perfume… its main ingredient is the Evernight Rose. My gardener happens to be quite knowledgeable about rare botanicals.”

Clive’s bitter smile twisted his lips. “So, do you hate me now?”

“I should be the one apologizing,” Elyse replied softly. “I can only refuse your feelings, Clive. I never wanted to hurt you.”

A heavy silence stretched between them before he spoke again, his voice rough with the strain of acceptance. “No, I should be thanking you. I’ve been living in a delusion—pretending you weren’t taken, pretending I still had a chance.”

He swallowed, the truth tasting sour. “Now, you’ve given me a reason to finally face reality.”

or pretend I knew nothing.

held her gaze. “Having the truth laid bare hurt. But I needed to hear

tension. “Better to rip the bandage off, right? You need to move

tightening his jaw. “You’re right. Facing reality doesn’t

with relief. “While your feelings for me aren’t too deep, you should move

“Go ahead. I just need

nodded and left, her steps echoing down

she was gone, he let out a shaky breath. “I was lying,” he admitted to the emptiness around him. “I’ve liked you for so long… Moving on isn’t that simple.” His lips quirked into a sad, self-mocking smile as he murmured to himself, “What a fool I am, causing you trouble, yet you’re still so gentle with me. That

but now

held all

enthusiasm. “Since you’re asking

be all high and