Love's Bitter Edge (Eva and Leonard) novel Chapter 481

Jack blurted out something without context, and I was a little confused. I had trusted him from the beginning, so I didn't understand why he was saying this.

"What did you say?" I looked at him, puzzled. He walked over and glanced out the window.

"You told Zack, Crystal, and Julian about this... but not me. Is it because you don't trust me?" He spoke without looking at me, almost as if he didn't dare to.

I followed his gaze to the window. It was winter in Erewhon, and the snow had started falling.

The ward was warm, but my heart felt far from that.

I let out a quiet sigh. "Jack, you know that's not what I meant."

It wasn't that I didn't trust him. I just didn't want to drag him into this. At the time, everything was uncertain, and I didn't want him to worry. Besides, if he had helped, perhaps Leonard would have found me by now.

Jack suddenly turned to look at me and grabbed my hand tightly. "I know you didn't want to drag me into this. You also know that I like you. You've always known."

I tried to pull my hand away, but his grip tightened.

"Eva, don't avoid it. I know you know everything. It's not like you feel nothing for me, right? Then why not give me a chance? Why not give us a chance?"

His grip loosened slightly, but he still didn't let go of me.

His eyes were full of longing, and he was eager to hear an answer.

I lowered my head, unsure of what to say.

A rich, handsome, and determined man who loved me unconditionally... It would be a lie to say it didn't move me. But reason quickly snapped me back to reality. I couldn't let myself be swayed. "I'm sorry, but we're not meant to be."

I pulled my hand away from his and looked up at him. "Jack, I know everything, but I can't just accept your kindness without guilt. Putting aside whether I'm worthy or not, my current situation just isn't right for dragging you in. And I do appreciate you, and I have feelings for you too... But this isn't love."

I had truly loved someone before, and I understood what that kind of feeling was. I couldn't fully let go of my past.

Jack was a great person, and he deserved someone better than me.