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Though Howard had been discreet, not overstepping any boundaries, his constant presence and thoughtful gestures, like bringing her favorite coffee, hinted at more than mere friendship.

Renee even suspected the anonymous flowers on the first day of class were his doing.

She had maintained a careful distance with Howard and kept interactions formal to avoid any misunderstandings.

“You…” Renee gently reminded him, “Howard, you’re aware I’m married, right?”

“know,” he acknowledged, looking down. “Your husband is Marcelo.”

“Even knowing that, you…”

“But Renee, that doesn’t deter me.”

Realizing his boldness, Howard quickly clarified, “I don’t intend to disrupt your marriage. I just…I wanted you to know that you’re someone worth liking, regardless of your marital status.”

He had noticed her apparent unhappiness with Marcelo and couldn’t help but admit to himself that,

despite her marriage, he still harbored feelings for her.

“Thank you, Howard,” Renee said, her smile genuine, adding a touch of warmth to her otherwise pale face.

Howard, unable to hide his longing, asked hesitantly, “So…do you think there might be a chance for us in

the future?” His eyes searched hers, hopeful.

Renee contemplated a potential future without Marcelo. “I’m sorry, Howard, but no.”

She saw the light of hope in Howard’s eyes dim, and a twinge of guilt momentarily gripped her. She sighed. “Howard, you’re a wonderful person, truly. It’s not just a ‘nice guy‘ label, I mean it. You deserve

someone who can fully appreciate you.”

Howard couldn’t bring himself to acquiesce to her words.

To him, Renee had always been the one.

He shook his head, believing she couldn’t perceive the radiance she had brought into his life.

Renee continued, “Howard, when I refuse you, it’s not about you; it’s about me.” She sighed, her laughter tinged with self–mockery, “I already have someone I like.”

“Can you…tell me who?” Howard asked tentatively.

He had gathered some information about Renee and Marcelo’s marriage, which remained shrouded in mystery. The sudden incident with Vivian had only deepened the enigma.

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Chapter 203 In the dark.

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Many remained skeptical about whether Renee was genuinely Marcelo’s wife.

Their marriage was shrouded in mystery!

Howard spoke. “Is it Da…” But he was cut off by Renee

“Marcelo. The person I like is Marcelo. I’m sorry, How…”

Renee abruptly stopped, her attention drawn to the door.

It stood ajar, revealing a man with a food thermos in hand, unclear how long he had been standing there.

It was Marcelo!

Marcelo’s face was a mask of inscrutability, his eyes unwaveringly fixed on Renee.

No matter how she looked at him, he remained impassive, as if he were a statue.

Renee, puzzled by his thoughts, found the situation increasingly ridiculous.

She had taken pains to conceal her emotions.

Her desire for a prompt divorce and her yearning to put distance between them intensified as the days

passed.

And yet, there she was, having spilled everything before him.

Embarrassed, Renee averted her gaze to the window, feigning ignorance of his presence and her own

confessions.

“Renee, I understand now, thank you.” Howard expressed his gratitude for her frankness.

After Howard exited the room, Marcelo seemed to snap out of his daze, holding the food thermos, and approached Howard.

He inquired, “How did you learn my wife was here?”

“A gentleman informed me,” replied Howard, his demeanor calm and courteous.

“Mr. King, I hope you value what you possess. Likewise, I won’t abandon my own pursuit.”

will always be futile as she is and will

King,” Howard said, unfazed

rise to

circles, Howard was described

once mocked

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In the

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he believed Howard truly

to Renee, Howard never

was simple: to reveal

know that even if she rejected him, he would remain steadfastly by

to, Howard could have spoken of his enduring affection for her

devotion often

it was young Mr. Lambert who tipped off Howard,” a bodyguard reported after

Why would Daniel intervene?

Renee

dwell on that

admission. “The person I

flicker of hope that set his

sensation unparalleled, surpassing even their most

moments.

had confessed to

him

Didn’t she mean that?

in the hospital? Didn’t you realize he was trying to steal Renee

let it slip; it won’t happen again,” Daniel replied, pretending to be

trying to get Howard to

skewed; he never learned what true love

a late brother, leaving him with

would never consent to her marrying

so young,

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203 In the

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that moment, Marcelo

lid off the food thermos, releasing the scent of mushroom chicken strip porridge

room.

shop stopped making mushroom chicken strip porridge.” Renee’s voice was tense, a stark contrast

requested it specially for my wife,”

button, raising the meal table,

shop until two years ago. After the owner’s

it vanished from

Renee said, turning to the window, an air of detachment surrounding her. “I need

to eat

once looked at him.

he had heard earlier,

her face towards

divorce?”

a cat whose tail had been trodden on. Her

tears in an instant.

tears

you pain?” Confused, Marcelo let go immediately. “Where

be feverish again,

his hand away sharply. “Don’t

cascaded down her face, overwhelming her with a sense

already suggested divorce. Why did he need to

he have to emphasize

he

claiming her confession

she decided against dragging Howard further into

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203 In

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breath, she admitted, “Yes, Marcelo,

broke through, sorrow etching her beautiful

Her feelings…

had finally acknowledged

Marcelo’s heart raced.

sent his heart

her face, gently kissing away

act of tenderness left Renee

hedgehog,

Her usually calm demeanor shattered, almost yelling. “I seek mutual love,

leave me! Now, right this

off by his kiss, her words lost

just touching, his eyes filled with affection.

in surprise, meeting his

indifference, had shown her

to hint at

enough to offer it?” Renee’s tone cooled, skepticism

appeared too

slightly. He did lack a complete understanding of what love truly entailed. Nonetheless, he could not bring himself

used to think expressing love in words was

lips met

been through, life just hardened me up. I couldn’t let my

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