Chapter 13
Tom furrowed his brows slightly and asked, “Brother?”
“Aren’t you?”
“Jane, I’ve seen all the photos you left for me,” said Tom.
Jane’s expression didn’t change much. She simply responded with a nod.
“But a few of them were destroyed by Hailey.”
“That’s normal,” said Jane. “She’s your wife. She can dispose of your things as she pleases.”
“She’s not!” Tom gripped her shoulder, eager to explain. “Jane, I didn’t marry her. When I found out you were missing, I stopped the wedding. I’ve been searching everywhere for you, and then there was a girl who committed suicide wearing the clothes you donated. I almost thought you…”
Jane furrowed her brows. “Tom, please let go. You’re hurting me!”
“Don’t say that I’m your brother again!”
Jane looked up at him and smiled. “Then how about Mr. Howard? Is this okay?”
Tom was furious. “Jane!”
Jane took a deep breath, slowly pried his large hand off her shoulder, and then stepped back, standing beside Sean.
“I haven’t finished my introduction,” said Jane. “Tom, this is my boyfriend, Sean.”
Sean was a bit surprised.
Tom was even more surprised.
“How long have you known him before he became your boyfriend? Jane, don’t treat yourself like a joke!”
“Tom, it’s not that the longer you know someone, the stronger the relationship gets,” said Jane, with implied meaning.
Tom understood immediately.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. “Jane, can we have a proper talk?”
“Tom, we don’t have anything left to talk about.”
“Your new wife is still waiting for you. I’m doing well in Miran. I have a job, and I have companionship. Thank you for all these years of care. I will repay you, and I will repay the Howard family.”
“I don’t want your repayment!”
“Then what do you want?”
Tom choked on his words.
He wanted her.
But when he met Jane’s indifferent gaze, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
“Tom, go back. You’ve already let down one woman. Don’t let down another.”
“Hailey is not my wife. Jane, just give me 10 minutes, okay? I want to explain things clearly.”
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Chapter 13
+25 BONUS
“I have things to do with my boyfriend. We’ll talk another time.”
Jane gently tugged on Sean, and he followed her as they left
They walked quite a distance before Sean said to her, “Your brother hasn’t left. He’s still standing there.”
“Don’t look at him. Come with me to check out other furniture.”
“Are you sure we shouldn’t care? He looks really down.”
Jane smiled. “He just got married, with a beautiful wife in his arms. How could he be sad?”
Sean stayed with her the entire afternoon and they visited almost every store in the shopping center.
Jane bought a lot of things–anime figurines she liked, framed pictures, and a huge stuffed bear, which was even bigger than Sean.
As he carried the big bear through the shopping center, everyone was staring at him.
Sean felt a bit embarrassed and asked Jane, “Do I look ridiculous?”
Jane didn’t respond, but two girls passing by smiled and answered for her, “No, we think you must really love your girlfriend.”
Sean’s face immediately turned red.
He awkwardly explained, “I’m hot, really. This bear is too warm.”
Jane couldn’t help but laugh.
Perhaps, having such a simple and gentle boyfriend wasn’t bad.
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At least, she didn’t have to constantly guess whether he loved her. His actions spoke–I like you.
When Sean sent her home, the sky had already gone dark.
As a single girl, Sean, being the gentleman he was, didn’t go inside, but placed all her things outside the door.
Jane called out, “What are you doing standing outside? Come in.”
Sean still felt it wasn’t quite right. “Jane, about what you said today… was it true?”
“What did I say?”
“You said… I’m your boyfriend.‘
Jane thought for a moment, then nodded seriously. “I accept your confession, and I really admire your courage. But right now, I only consider us in the phase of possibly trying to date. I haven’t reached the level of liking you yet. If you don’t mind, we can take our time and see how things go.
Sean was overjoyed. “Really?”
Jane smiled and nodded. “Yep.”
“I thought…”
“What did you think?”
“I thought you were just saying it to annoy your brother.”
Jane sighed. “If it were before, I’might have.”
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+25 BONUS
Chapter 13
“And now?”
Jane said earnestly, “Now, I really want to start a new life.
“Jane, you… liked Tom, didn’t you?” asked Sean.
Jane didn’t hide it from him and nodded. “Yes.”
She had thought that Sean would either ask her about her current plans or be surprised by her inappropriate feelings for her brother.
But when Sean was struggling to carry the big stuffed bear into the house, sweat dripping from his face as he huffed and puffed, Jane couldn’t help but chuckle.
“What’s wrong?”
Jane said, “I thought you were going to ask me if I still like him.”
“But didn’t you already say that it was all in the past?” Sean wiped the sweat from his face and smiled. “I believe you.”
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