Candice replied impassively, “Yes, but he’s not as important as you are.”

“Did he tell you to leave me?” Elio asked.

Candice fell silent.

Elio’s face turned sour. He tightened his embrace, closed his eyes, and whispered into her ear, “Candice, ignore what anyone else might say. Don’t even think about leaving me. Now that you’re in my life, I’ll never let you go.”

Candice’s heart ached with sympathy, sensing the deep, unspoken love Elio harbored for her. Though she harbored feelings for him, too, her love was different-much purer. She cherished him deeply but had restrained herself, never acting on her feelings or crossing any boundaries.

She wrapped her arms around Elio’s neck, pulled herself up on her tiptoes, and whispered into his ear, “Let me tell you a secret.”

Curiosity piqued, Elio tilted his head down, his ear brushing close to her lips, ready to catch every word.

“I have been in love with a man for ten years,” Candice murmured.

Instantly, Elio’s body tensed, and his expression hardened. He unclasped Candice’s hands from his neck and distanced himself. His voice detached as he said, “I don’t want to hear this.”

His sudden shift in demeanor took Candice aback. With a flicker of irritation, he loosened his tie and glanced toward the dining table. “Haven’t you eaten yet?” he asked.

“No,” Candice replied, her voice tinged with sadness. She had hoped to confess her feelings earlier when the mood was lighter, but now Elio seemed distant and upset.

“Don’t wait up for me in the future. My eating schedule is all over the place. I don’t even have dinner sometimes.”

Feeling slighted, Candice murmured, “Oh.”

Elio removed his suit jacket and headed toward the dining table. “I’ll heat the food, and then we can eat together.” He picked up the dishes and carried them into the kitchen.

Candice trailed behind him, her steps hesitant.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

In the kitchen, Elio placed the dishes into the microwave. Candice paused at the doorway, her gaze lingering on his broad back.

Leaning against the counter with his hands spread out, Elio hung his head, his posture exuding an unspoken loneliness as he waited for the food to heat.

Summoning her courage, Candice stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him from behind.

Elio stiffened slightly but relaxed as his hands gently rested on her arms encircling his waist. He asked in a soft voice, “What’s the matter?” “Elio Hoffis,” Candice whispered.

An inexplicable tension gripped Elio at the sound of his full name. He swallowed anxiously, his voice raspy as he responded, “Yes?”

“I’ve loved you for over ten years, Elio. I’ve felt this way ever since I was young.”

Elio stood frozen, his shock rendering him immobile. The microwave chimed, yet he still struggled to process her words, his heart pounding fiercely and his breathing uneven.

Candice continued, “I’m not

someone who takes relationships lightly. It’s because it’s you, that I’m open to sleep with you, and to marry you It’s because it’s you, Eli Hoffis, that I’m ready.” Content belongs to NovelDrama.Org

Overwhelmed by his emotions, Elio gently pulled away her hands, turning to envelop her in a tight hug. His eyes brimmed with tears, his voice shaky as he asked, “Candice, d-do you really love me?” Content belongs to NovelDrama.Org

“I love you, Elio,” she whispered in reply.

Her words ignited a surge of excitement within him. He could barely contain it. He held her close, his body trembling as his vulnérable heart beneath his usually stoic exterior had finally found solace.

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Tears escaped his tightly shut eyes. His throat tightened to the point where words failed him.

Meanwhile, Candice felt nearly suffocated by the intensity of his embrace. “Elio-” she began.

Elio cut her off and asked meekly, “Candice, have you really loved me for over ten years? Do you truly love me?”