When Love Breaks by Jack

Chapter 690

“Mr. Shaw, if you truly hold a place for my mom in your heart, just say the word, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help you out.”

“And on the flip side, I want to apologize again for the intrusion today.”

Raleigh’s grip on his coffee mug tightened, a visible tremor running through his hand.

But his response wasn’t clouded by emotion; he remained composed.

“Jane, I wouldn’t dream of imposing on Bella. If she has affection for me, I’ll cherish her for a lifetime. But if not, I’m fully prepared to be by her side as a friend, forever.”

Hearing this, a lightbulb went off in my head, and I couldn’t help but try to reason with him. “If, like you said, my mom’s refusal stems from guilt, then she must have feelings for you.”

“If she didn’t, a straightforward apology and a clean break would have sufficed, right?”

Raleigh had entertained such thoughts before; he and Bella had shared a lifetime’s worth of moments.

Their companionship even outlasted many marriages, fostering a deep understanding between them.

He believed that her lack of outright rejection meant there might be room to advance…

But he later abandoned that hope, not because of her gentle refusal.

Rather, he knew Bella well enough to understand that if she had any interest, she would have made a move. Her inaction spoke volumes.

…

you ever asked your mom if there’s someone

I had asked.

preferred to be alone, to enjoy her

around her, she seemed anything

from the

that accident at the gala weighed heavily on her, despite her claims

why I sought

leads

don’t want to

a gesture that

I

his eyes, “If I try

” t

not

for a return to the status quo,

push her away for good, given Bella’s

couldn’t risk it, nor could he afford

“Jane, I’m sorry.”

“No, the apology is mine. I’ve intruded. I’ll leave you to

us to

us; he had

Text me when