Twisted Ties of Love novel Chapter 435

If Izabella wanted to fool him, to say that she didn't remember Ryker or had forgotten about him, he'd totally buy it, hook, line, and sinker.

But Izabella didn't do that. She straight up told him the truth that she couldn't forget Ryker.

No one could know how scared Casey was at that time. He was a bundle of nerves, his jealousy was running wild and added to the adrenaline rush from the fight. He just couldn't keep a lid on his emotions.

Casey was afraid to face Izabella again. His sarcastic quips might wear down her patience, and she might give him the boot for good.

Wiping away his tears, Casey immediately regretted his question after he had asked it. Comparing himself, a substitute, to the real deal and asking Izabella to make a choice, he was basically painting himself into a corner.

He was scared to death of hearing Izabella reject him. He shoved the picture into Izabella's hands, saying, "You don't have to answer to that question. I'm sorry I've put you in a tight spot. I need to cool down."

With that, Casey turned on his heels and left. Izabella clutched the picture in her hand, watching his hasty retreat. She couldn't even call out to stop him.

They were both all over the place at that point. They really shouldn't be together. Izabella thought to herself, with a touch of self-mockery, that she initially wanted Casey to keep her company that day.

Izabella was a complete mess as she was having a hard time coming to a decision. She was torn between missing Ryker and holding onto Casey. If she had to completely forget Ryker to be with Casey, should she distance herself from Casey?

She screwed up. Maybe she shouldn't have gotten close to Casey in the first place so he wouldn't have to be upset.

Looking at the old picture in her hand, Ryker in the photo had a big smile, much like Casey's.

A tear fell onto the picture. Izabella gently wiped it off.

She choked out, "Ryker, I met someone. He looks a lot like you, but he's not you. He also bribes me with candy. I'm not allergic to the strawberry filling in the donuts anymore. I miss you a bit."

Even if she somehow forgot about Ryker, who would forget that kid who bribed her with donuts, carried her home on his back, and gave her all the cookies in the orphanage when they grew up?

From childhood to adulthood, even if she was a bit slow, Ryker never forgot about her. How could she forget him and let someone else replace him?

She never wanted anyone to be a substitute for him because Ryker was unique, irreplaceable.

And Casey didn't need to replace anyone. He was his own person, unique in this world.

Wiping away her tears, Izabella carefully put away the picture. She left in a hurry that time and hadn't told Toby.

She sent Toby a text saying that she would go back and then went to look for Casey. She wanted to explain things to him.

Her brain, previously a mess, had finally caught on. Casey knew about Ryker; he thought he was a substitute, and it was all because of Brett and Nathaniel.