Chapter 260

Once that thought crossed my mind, it was tough to shake it off.

So I spoke up, "Yvonne's been talking a lot of crap to me. She sent me a bunch of texts that were way out of line."

Royce's expression shifted, "Did you delete them? Can I see?"

Even though it felt like tattling, I pulled out my phone and showed him.

As he looked at my phone screen, Royce's face went pale.

"She always acts so sweet and considerate around me. We barely talk, except for a few times about her thesis and work. I thought it was good for classmates to help each other out."

Royce sighed, "I never expected her to act like this towards you."

I shook my head and put my phone away, "I'm not blaming you for this. Everyone has their social circles, and she hid her feelings for you well."

"Maybe you're just used to people chasing after you and admiring you, so you didn't notice."

Royce frowned, "Is there anything else besides this? I feel like you wouldn't be this angry and so determined to break things off with me over just one thing."

After all, I hadn't even been responding to his messages...

So I told him about running into Yvonne at the mall that day.

But I added, "I know the bag and clothes she was carrying weren't from you."

"Honestly, the clothes and the bag were pretty cheap. Even if you were just giving a normal thank-you gift, it would be worth more than that."

Royce actually laughed at that.

"Should I be happy? You really know me well in this regard."

I shrugged, "Well, we've been together for a while now."

We definitely understood each other, but...

That understanding might not be deeper than with others.

I pulled my hand away from his and walked over to the couch, sitting down and holding my cup of water.

Royce followed and sat next to me, "If it's just these things, I can totally understand why you'd be angry and want to distance yourself from me."

"If I were in your shoes and a rival acted like that towards me, I'd wonder if you gave them some hope too..."

I just held my cup and stayed silent.

Royce explained for a long time before I finally spoke, "On top of that, I happened to catch Ronnie cheating that day. Honestly, it was the last straw."

"After my divorce, I already had trust issues with love. Yvonne made me anxious, and then I saw someone else cheating."

I gave a bitter smile, "Do you think someone like me can still believe in love?"

Royce quickly said, "Of course you can."

"I can give you the best kind of love... I'm really different from them."

Hearing that, I admit, my heart started racing again.

The truth is, I do have feelings for him.

Whether it's the dependence or the attraction over this time.

I've only been divorced, and I'm not that old. Deep down, because of my failed marriage, I still long for a good relationship.

I'm just not sure if I can step into another relationship right now!

But Royce grabbed my hand, making me look at him, "Give me another chance."

"I'll warn Yvonne and set things straight with her. I'll keep my distance from other women, and I won't do any favors for them."

I couldn't help but laugh, "Why do I feel like your wife already? Am I meddling in your social life?"

Royce looked serious, "It's not meddling; it's me choosing to be upfront with you."

I have to admit, he knows how to make me happy.

At least right now, my heart felt warm.

Maybe seeing my expression soften, Royce leaned in close, "So I'll take that as a yes."

"A yes to what?" I asked, playing along.

"A yes to giving me another chance, to let me properly pursue you. Let's pretend these past few days never happened."

Hearing that, I lowered my eyes again.

"The issues between us aren't that big... we can pretend they didn't happen. But what about Joanna?"

And with Clementine's situation, I hadn't figured out what to do.

There's business competition on one side and a friend's trouble on the other. I really can't handle it all.

Isn't it normal to want to rely on someone at a time like this?

I thought about it and asked him, "If I agree to give you another chance, can you promise never to make me sad again?"

Even though I knew it was a tough question.

Royce immediately pulled me into his arms, "I can promise. But I have one condition."

"Go ahead."

"If someone upsets you again, tell me right away, and I'll handle it. Don't distance yourself from me because of what others say; that's punishing me."

I couldn't help but laugh, "That's your only request?"

"Yes... let's not talk about more for now. Let me win you over first."

I let Royce hold me, feeling a sudden warmth in my heart.

I knew he genuinely liked me.

Otherwise, he wouldn't act like this.

After two days of tension with Royce, I didn't expect it to be resolved so simply.

I had Simon to thank for that.

But thinking about meeting today, I originally wanted to resolve the issue with Joanna, and my mood became heavy again.

In the afternoon, I went to the office to handle work, and after returning home, I called Joanna.

"Hey, Joanna?"

Joanna sounded surprised, "Caroline, you reached out to me? I thought the next time we'd meet would be at Isadora's baby's one-month celebration."

"Come on, can't I miss you?" I joked with her.

To gauge her attitude towards Ronnie, I needed to get closer to her.

Otherwise, with our lukewarm relationship lately, who would want to share their deepest thoughts with me?

Sure enough, my joke made Joanna happy, "You still remember to miss me. You've been so busy running around lately, I couldn't catch you for a meal."

"Well, I'm free now. How about dinner tomorrow?"

Joanna was surprised by my sudden invitation but quickly agreed, "Of course, I'm free tomorrow."

"Then it's settled. Come over to my place, and I'll cook for you."

"Really, Caroline? It's been so long since I had your cooking."

I laughed, "Why do you make it sound like such a rare thing..."

"It is," Joanna said with a smile in her voice, "By the way, is Kathy coming?"