Chapter 83
At this moment, without solid evidence in hand, Shane’s gaze carried a faint chill as he looked
at Amber.
“Amber, how old are you this year?” he asked.
“I’m 23.”
“You’re not young anymore. It’s time to settle down and establish your own life. You can’t keep staying by my side.
“You need to have a life of your own. After all, we’re not related by blood. If you get a boyfriend in the future, people will talk.”
Amber’s expression shifted, and the tears that had been brimming in her eyes dried up instantly, “So, Shane, are you trying to draw a line between us?”
Shane spoke deliberately, enunciating each word. “Amber, I’ve been thinking a lot these days. Because of you, I neglected your sister’s feelings.
“That’s why things have escalated to this point, leaving her missing. When she comes back, I want to live a proper life with her.”
Amber immediately dropped her act, though her tears still clung to her lashes. “And what about me? Was I just a fleeting novelty to you from the start? Have you never loved me? Not even for a moment?”
I turned from the window to look at him. Truthfully, I was also curious about how he would
answer.
Shane stared at her, her tear–streaked face holding his gaze. Yet, he didn’t respond directly.
Instead, he seemed lost in thought, as if looking through her to see someone else.
“Amber, do you know? Your sister was actually a very sensitive woman. When she was little, she would cry over something as small as a caterpillar.”
Amber stared at him blankly. “So, what?”
“She was afraid of the dark, terrified of thunderstorms, caterpillars, and snakes. She would get seasick
“But despite all that, when she heard about the earthquake, she resolutely decided to cross the ocean to find me. She even resorted to smuggling herself across.
“She encountered a tsunami and clung to a piece of driftwood for days, nearly losing her life. She survived that tempest, yet she didn’t cry.
“To this day, I can still remember her expression when I slapped her. She had the look of utter
Chapter 83
disbelief and a deep, heart–wrenching sadness.
“At that time, no one stood by her side. Everyone was busy praising you, saying how amazing you were to brave so many hardships to reach me
“Who cared about her feelings? She didn’t cry. So why are you crying now?”
Amber faltered, her voice hesitant. “Shane, I really didn’t know about Allison smuggling herself across the ocean. I came back with you.
“Even if her passport went missing, it might be because she misplaced it. Why don’t you believe me?”
“Amber, I don’t have enough evidence for this matter, but my impression is that nine times out of ten, you solve your problems by crying. The moment you cry, we all forget the truth of the situation and rush over to comfort you, overlooking the fact that she was the true victim.
“I owe her too much. So much that I don’t want to hurt her anymore. Amber, let’s end this
here.”
Amber stared at him, her voice trembling. “Shane, so you’ve never loved me? Not even for a single moment?”
Shane spoke, his voice steady and resolute. “No. The only person I’ve ever loved is Allison. From now on, you’re just her sister and mine. Beyond that, there will be no further connection
between us.
“What about our past? The island trip, the wishing fountain, the red string we tied under the tree. Have you forgotten all of it?”
“I’m sorry.”
