Chapter 155

Samuel grabbed his clothes and turned to open the bathroom door in Victoria's bedroom, closing it gently behind him.

Even now, he was still so gentle. The soft click of the door felt like a heavy blow to Victoria's heart.

She had hurt him deeply once again.

In the bathroom, Samuel's erection was painfully hard. His handsome face was etched with unbearable pain.

The woman he loved was just on the other side of the wall, but he couldn't touch her. Every second felt like torture.

"Victoria," Samuel murmured softly, looking down at his rigid member with a bitter smile.

Thinking of Victoria's seductive look just moments ago, he had no choice but to take care of himself quickly.

Victoria dressed and listened to Samuel's muffled breathing from the bathroom, feeling overwhelmed with guilt.

She had invited him up, said she had no regrets, but then stopped him at the last moment.

Covering her face, Victoria felt a wave of self-loathing. How could she be so selfish?

Samuel stayed in the bathroom for a long time, taking a cold shower to calm himself down. Once he felt more composed, he dressed and slowly opened the bathroom door.

He immediately saw Victoria curled up in the corner of the bed, her cheeks stained with tears, looking pitiful.

Samuel's heart ached. He walked over to her and gently held her shoulders.

"Victoria, why are you crying?" Samuel asked softly, wiping away her tears.

"I'm sorry," Victoria choked out, her voice breaking, her eyes red.

She knew how hard it was for a man to stop at the last moment.

But he had respected her wishes.

Samuel's heart softened. He pulled Victoria into his arms, gently patting her back, soothing her with his voice. "Silly girl, you're just not ready yet. We'll take it slow, okay?"

Samuel's voice had a calming effect, gradually easing Victoria's guilt and helping her regain her composure.

Victoria looked up at Samuel, her eyes filled with confusion.

"I won't force you," Samuel said, cupping her face and wiping away her tears with his thumb, his voice gentle.

"Thank you, Samuel," Victoria said, her voice trembling.

She was truly grateful for Samuel's patience and affection. She had never experienced such feelings before and didn't know how to reciprocate.

Victoria wrapped her arms around Samuel's strong waist, pressing her face against his warm chest, inhaling the scent of his body wash. She kept telling herself to cherish him and to forget William completely.

Samuel let Victoria lean against him for a long time before speaking softly. "Victoria, my grandfather's birthday is coming up. Will you come with me?"

Victoria was taken aback and looked up at Samuel.

He looked tired, with dark circles under his eyes.

After a moment of thought, Victoria decided to agree.

They were officially a couple now. If she didn't attend Samuel's grandfather's birthday party, it would embarrass him.

Victoria bit her lip and asked softly, "When is it?"

Samuel's eyes sparkled with a hint of a smile. "Next Saturday."

Victoria nodded. "Okay."

"Get some rest. I'll head out now."

Samuel stood up, stopping Victoria from getting up to see him out. He straightened her messy blanket and left her home.

His back was straight, but there was a hint of loneliness in his posture.

Victoria lowered her eyes, hiding the overwhelming guilt she felt.

She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.

The news of William and Alice's breakup spread quickly, with all sorts of rumors flying around, but both parties remained silent.

By the time Eugene heard the news and rushed to the hospital, William's injuries had mostly healed.

But he had lost a lot of weight, and his once handsome face was now gaunt and haggard.

Eugene couldn't believe how much William had changed in just a few days. "What happened to you? Did you hurt yourself because you were heartbroken over Alice?"

William glanced at him, his voice calm. "Who told you that?"

Eugene was taken aback, then scoffed. "Everyone knows you and Alice broke up."

William's eyes narrowed, and he spoke quietly. "We did break up, but I didn't hurt myself out of heartbreak. I did it to get rid of her."

Eugene was shocked. "You risked your life just to break up with her? Are you crazy?"

Eugene had known William since they were kids. He knew William wouldn't give up on Alice unless something serious had happened.

"What else could I do?" William's face was pale, his stomach still wrapped in thick bandages. "I owed her. I had to repay her."

"All for Victoria? My God, you're out of your mind!" Eugene couldn't believe it. He paced the hospital room, furious at William's reckless behavior.

"You and Alice are both insane! She was devoted to you, losing herself in the process, and you turn around and risk everything for another woman. What did I do in a past life to deserve knowing you two?"

William reached out his hand. "Lighter."

Eugene glared at him but handed over the lighter.

William lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag. His eyes were distant, lost in the smoke.

Eugene frowned. "You and Alice..."

William took another drag, then looked up at the night sky, exhaling a cloud of smoke with a bitter smile.

He didn't say a word, but Eugene seemed to understand everything.

He patted William's shoulder, then hesitated when he saw the bandages. With a sigh, he said, "Forget it. Just let it be."

Even though William had always kept his promises, feelings based on guilt and obligation could easily fade, leaving only exhaustion and mutual harm.

"So, what now? Are you going to be with Victoria?" Eugene asked suddenly.

William lowered his eyes. The proud man looked pained, as if his soul had been drained.

"She's with someone else now," he said lightly.

Eugene was stunned.

He couldn't believe someone had taken William's woman.

"That's not like you. Didn't you think about fighting for her?" Eugene couldn't help but ask. "William, I don't get you. If you like her, go after her! As long as she's not married, anything can happen."

William let out a bitter laugh, his eyes fixed on a distant point. "She hates me. She'll never forgive me."