Liesel looked up to Elijah who had suddenly appeared and changed the topic. “What do you want from following me?”
His smile grew wider. “Didn’t you get the memo? That I’m pursuing you?”
“Does your pursuit involve watching your crush get cornered while you just stand by, doing nothing but enjoying the show?” Her gaze dimmed.
It wasn’t that she actually blamed Elijah for it. In fact, there was barely any bond between them. Elijah’s pursuit felt more like a game of cat and mouse.
“You’re funny.” He inched closer to Liesel with a mischievous smile like she was I’m only pursuing you. That doesn’t mean you’re my crush, right?”
his
prey.
Just because he pursued her didn’t mean she was necessarily a romantic interest. His fleeting pursuit was sparked by her stunning looks, but he never truly saw her as someone he cared for.
“Are you sure you want to be this honest while pursuing me?” Liesel took a step back and created some distance between them. “You should know that I have plenty of admirers. Saying this will only throw you to the back of the line.”
“Isn’t my honesty more raw and genuine than all the other fake men?” Elijah scoffed.” Like, who doesn’t like your looks?”
She lowered her eyes at his words, yet he suddenly extended his hand and swiped away the red dress.
“What are you doing?” Liesel exclaimed in an attempt to stop him.
Elijah narrowed his foxy eyes. The corners of them were slightly raised. His gaze slowly shifted to her face. “Who bought you this red dress that made it so precious that you came back for it even when it was ruined? Was it Jacob?
“Come on, it’s just a red dress. What’s so precious about it? Don’t tell me this was your first gift from him.”
Liesel’s gaze sharpened slightly, and the astute Elijah quickly understood the situation. A laugh escaped from his lungs, but it was unclear whether it was directed at Jacob or her.
He tilted his head, and she tried to seize the dress back. With a huff, he took a step back.
Liesel’s gaze sharpened suddenly, and with an unexpected burst of strength, she tripped. Elijah. He was taken aback, but in the next moment, he was about to fall.
Surprisingly, he didn’t get angry. Instead, he laughed and grabbed her delicate wrist, pulling her down with him into the fray.
Chapter 50
When he hit the floor, he couldn’t help but let out a gasp. Despite that, he wrapped his arms around Liesel tightly, ensuring she didn’t get hurt at all.
“You’re brutal, Liesel.” Elijah scoffed.
Their skin touched, and Liesel tried to get up though she felt dazed. However, he languidly locked her waist with his arm and refused to let go. Instead, he gazed at her with
excitement.
“Why the rush to leave? Don’t you want your dress anymore?”
“It’s ruined. Why would I want it?” She tried to pry his large palm off her.
Elijah refused to release her and tightened his grip instead. “Is that what you really think?”
His lips brushed against her ear as he exhaled softly, filling the air with a tantalizing warmth. “If that’s the case, you’d agree the dress should cease to exist, right?”
What did that mean?
Liesel looked at him. “What are you gonna
do?”
“I thought you wanted a chance at a new life. The only your past.”
ay you can do it is to cut ties with
Before she could interpret his words, Elijah pushed her away and propped himself up with one hand. A second later, he grabbed the scissors and started cutting the red dress into pieces.
Just like that, the striking red turned into shreds.
27
