Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison

Secref Admiration: Finding True Love After P...

Chapter 703 A Twinge of Longing Deep

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Emilia's heart raced, the thrum so loud it echoed in her ears. Adrenaline surged, sharp, and unrelenting. This was fear-the kind that made your blood run cold; the kind that whispered death was near.

She'd always known men like him-living on the edge, cold-blooded and unfeeling. But she hadn't truly understood until now. His calm ruthlessness wasn't an act. If he wanted, he could end her life without hesitation.

"Why can't I be a cashier?" Emilia forced down the rising panic, her tone deliberately light, almost puzzled.

She didn't look back, focusing instead on adjusting the flowers in the vase on the table. "Is it because you find it strange? A girl with a house, a car, working at a convenience store-it doesn't add up?"

Her laugh was soft, but it carried a bitter edge. "Honestly, I come from a pretty wealthy family. The house, the car-all my parents' money. And the cashier gig? That's just a distraction, something to keep me busy after I got kidnapped a while back." Andy's eyes narrowed slightly, the only sign her words caught him off guard. He stayed silent, his gaze fixed on her as she busied herself with the flowers. Whatever he was thinking, he didn't let it show.

fter the kidnapping people started treating me like I was

Chapter 703 A Twinge of Longing Deep love match, just a family arrangement."

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She gave a small shrug as if brushing off the sting of her own words. "Still, in our world, being talked about like that, it sticks. I became a joke to everyone. The rich can be cruel, you know? They laughed, they gossiped, and they tore me apart behind my back. "That's why I took the job at the store. It gave me something to do and helped me focus on anything but that mess. Is it so hard to believe a rich girl could work as a cashier?"

Andy's grip on the gun didn't waver, but Emilia noticed he hadn't lowered it either. She hesitated, then pressed on, her voice dropping a notch. "After the ransom, my family took a huge hit. We're drowning in debt now. My dad even mortgaged the company to keep us afloat."

Her gaze dropped to the floor, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her words. It wasn't all a lie. The Clarke family wasn't what it used to be.

Her voice caught slightly, the vulnerability creeping through despite her efforts to mask it. "Every time I see my parents, I feel this crushing guilt. Like it's all my fault. That's why I moved out It's easier this way."

She reached up, brushing at the corner of her eye, the gesture soft, almost hesitant. "And now that you know my secrets, you probably think even less of me, don't you?"

Andy watched as she sank to the floor, hugging her knees. Her shoulders trembled with the effort to hold it together, but he knew better-she was crying. His lips thinned into a line, and

Chapter 703 A Twinge of Longing Deep

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too, until everything fell apart. He'd seen it all-the betrayals, the fake smiles, the knives in the back when they were at their lowest. Andy thought, "I kidnapped Emilia because

her wide eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She looked fragile, like someone who could

of line is that?

the floor, crying even harder. "Can't you at least say something normal,

Andy whispered, "I won't..."

tilted,

on you," he

He was

secrets, you

Deep probably think even

he actually believe my story?" "What's

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mouth as if to reply, then

pulled out her broken phone, retrieved the SIM card, and slid it into an old spare. Andy noticed the phone was at least three

be able to pay me back anytime soon," Emilia said lightly, changing the

Andy didn't respond.

your injuries heal. But don't forget-you still owe me money." Emilia disappeared into her bedroom and returned with a blanket, tossing

getting close to him means keeping him under my roof, so be it. I need to know who this man is and

turned and

blanket and the first-aid kit she'd left behind.

703 A Twinge

wincing as pain flared. To distract himself, he glanced around the

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with fresh flowers that filled the

a stark contrast to his imposing frame. With a quiet sigh, he slid his gun under

11

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awake, her gaze drifting to Chandler, who

on Chandler's sharp and handsome features, and for a brief moment, her mind

within her. She had asked for a divorce, but he had refused. And Meryl knew Chandler well-enough-if he didn't agree, there would be no way to

her resolve hadn't wavered. She didn't want to keep living in amarriage that left her