When Love Breaks by Jack

Chapter 728

Seeing Dailey’s figure nowhere in sight as she turned around, Christine felt a pang of sadness.

The elevator ascended, and Merritt chatted away, trying to distract her. She only half-listened, nursing a headache and responding with little enthusiasm. But Merritt didn’t seem to mind; he was just happy to be there for her. He supported her back to her room, gently helped her sit on the couch, and went to make her a cup of honey lemon tea, a small gesture of care.

He then proceeded to make the bed for her, while he resigned himself to the couch in the living room, grabbing a blanket for himself.

Suddenly, Christine felt sobered up by the reality of their situation. “Merritt, I can’t keep pretending,” she said.

A long, heavy silence followed.

Merritt stood there, clutching his blanket, just looking at Christine. His eyes were filled with hurt.

Christine rubbed her face, “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, and you’ve been really great, but we can’t go any further. I don’t want to lead you on.”

job, let’s not do that in real

the blanket tighter, his lips quivered

but it seemed pointless. The answer was

thinking maybe, just maybe, she would eventually fall for him. But deep down, he

eager for any connection, had played along with her game,

smitten. Not just by

as long as he could remember, working tirelessly to pay for his education and his grandmother’s medical bills. His youthful spark had dimmed early on, and

long day, get some rest,” he said, prepared to

leave,

the door, Merritt caught

dress. “Do you

is that it?” he choked

е

with unshed tears. “I couldn’t protect you from Dailey, couldn’t do anything but watch you get hurt.

like me.

had approached her, putting on the facade of a