The Last Time I Loved Him (Autumn and Ryan)
Chapter 30

Chapter 9 He looked at me in disbelief, as if searching my face for traces of my love for him.

"Ivy, stop causing trouble and come back to Seattle with me.

Clear up all these misunderstandings for me, and once things settle down, we'll get married. I promise, I'll treat you wel."

I couldn't hold back anymore and slapped Jacob across the face.

"Do you have any shame?"

"You traveled all this way, putting on an act, saying sweet words, but it's all just to get me to help you escape the rumors."

"What's your plan? To make me take the blame as the mistress, shoulder all the insults, and pave the way for you and Jasmine?"

Jacob tried to explain further, but I shut the door in his face. He quickly reached out to block it, his fingers reddening from the pressure, unwilling to let go, as if he thought that releasing his grip would mean losing me forever.

"This is New Zealand. If you trespass, I have the right to shoot."

Hearing my threat, Jacob finally withdrew his hand, though he kept glancing back at me as he left, as if unable to bear parting.

After he left, I searched online for news related to Seattle. To my surprise, his affair had caused quite a scandal. Jasmine, usually flaunting her connection with Jacob and throwing her weight around at the company, was now the target of harsh criticism.

Many who had long held grievances against her took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. Everywhere she went, rumors followed. Unable to bear the backlash, Jasmine had attempted to end her life several times. Jacob had tried every means to quell the rumors, but nothing worked. In desperation, he thought of me.

I laughed bitterly to myself. I knew Jacob would never have come all this way just for me. In his heart, the most important person would always be Jasmine.

Not wanting to dwell on him any longer, I continued with my new life. But it seemed Jacob was unwilling to let me go.

Somehow, he started appearing daily at my office, holding a bouquet of roses.

"Ivy, you once told me that roses were your favorite flower. I promised you I'd bring you a bouquet every day from now on."

"I'll make up for everything I owe you from these past seven years."

The delicate roses, adorned with glistening dew, sparkled in the sunlight, like tears transformed into pearls. I didn't take them.

Squinting into the sunlight, I said, "Jacob, you've never understood what I wanted."

What I wanted was never just a bouquet of flowers.

I wanted a pure and genuine love.

I wanted a truly happy life.

But no matter if it was love or flowers, I'd waited seven years and never received them. Thankfully, I have now found real happiness, one that belongs solely to me.

So now, for me, his belated devotion, the blooming roses, and the love of a past life no longer matter.

"Ivy, haven't I been good to you all these years? I supported you and even your crazy mother!"

I laughed coldly and held out my hands in front of Jacob.