Chapter 740

Chapter 741
Suddenly learning all this, Ariel stayed quiet for a while. “Is that so? But did you really have no feelings for Nancy at all? People’s emotions aren’t fixed. Everyone saw how close you two were. On the day I was diagnosed, you were even setting off fireworks for her birthday. ”
Jayson had been with Nancy even on her birthday.
“That day was her birthday, but it was also our anniversary,” Jayson said, looking at her. “Lucas was about to get out of prison, so I thought you might forget our anniversary. I thought you’d remember after seeing the fireworks. ”
That day, he had been testing her because Lucas would be free the very next day.
“His release put me on edge. Normally, you never forget our anniversaries, but that time, you didn’t mention it for so long. I naturally read too much into it.” Jayson finally spilled all the selfish, messy thoughts he had kept buried.
After that day, Ariel asked for a divorce.
He had seen it coming. He had always known that he had been skirmishing with her in little ways. Even the fireworks had nothing to do with Nancy.
Ariel blinked, remembering her own state back then.
Now she finally understood what Jayson had been thinking at the time. That extravagant fireworks display had been his silent protest and unspoken plea for her attention–both on their anniversary and on him.
But…
“I was already so sick back then, barely able to take care of myself, and you weren’t home often. How could I have had the energy to celebrate our anniversary?”
Ariel didn’t want him thinking it was because of Lucas.
At the time, she was sick, and her condition was taking a toll. She was trapped in fear and pain, and Jayson was rarely home. What else could she possibly have been thinking about?
A quick flicker of Jayson’s eyes, and he was back in that moment.
For a while, he had been avoiding Ariel, afraid that she would cut him off because of Lucas. He hadn’t realized she was actually suffering from cancer.
The crushing reality hit–nothing mattered except that lost chance. If he could only go back, talk to her, and stay by her side, everything might be different.
Ariel popped two pills out of the box on the bedside table. “Stop pushing yourself. Take these and get some rest.”
Jayson suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist. Closing his eyes, he pressed himself against her stomach.” I admit that I let her exist just to get you to notice me. I did it in the dumbest way. I’m not exactly rational when it comes to love. But Ariel, you never have to doubt my feelings for you. I’ve never betrayed you, not in heart or in body.” 1
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Chapter 741
+15 BONUS
His voice was rough, each word slow and deliberate.
Every word hit Ariel straight in the chest. Her lashes trembled, and she felt her eyes sting for no reason.
She had been struggling for so long to forget, but the truth suddenly landed in front of her, leaving her unsure if it relieved the pain or just made the weight in her heart heavier. It showed her that forgetting wasn’t healing–it was helplessness.
One was proud, the other strong–willed. There was no way to truly say who was right and who was wrong.
Jayson let her go after saying that.
He turned to take the pills Ariel had prepared and lay back on the bed. “I’ve been kind of exhausted lately. Don’t worry. I’ll take the pills like you said. But of course, if you’re feeling sorry for me and want to stay, I would be more than happy.” ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ fıriel clenched her fists and said stiffly, “Go to sleep.”
Jayson smiled faintly with his eyes closed. “Alright, next time then.”
He knew she wouldn’t stay, and he wouldn’t let her. She was sick now, and he didn’t want to pass it on to her.
Ariel watched him for a moment. Noticing how uncomfortable he looked, she quietly slipped out of the bedroom.
The second she closed the door, she ran her fingers through her hair–a tangle of emotions pressed on her chest.
Not long after, Georgia came up. “How’s Mr. Larkin?”
Ariel blinked herself back to reality. “Better. Could you wait a bit before taking his temperature again? I’ll give you a recipe. When he wakes up, you can make him some chicken noodle soup that way.”
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