The second chance he destroyed Ch 7

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Chapter 7

I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. The thought of Benjamin and Dominic conspiring to figure out how to win my affection was just too amusing to imagine.

“Hold still,” Benjamin suddenly stopped me, “You’ve got some on your lips.” Then, with a playful grin, he leaned in closer.

“What are you doing?” I asked, surprised.}

“Seeing you enjoy it so much, I thought I’d get a taste too,” he said with a soft laugh before pressing a gentle, intoxicating kiss on my lips. Suddenly, the apple pie in my hand didn’t taste as good anymore.

Through the café window, Elijah caught sight of the scene, and it was like a punch to the gut. In his memory, Anastasia had always been the kid trailing behind him, calling him “big brother” since she was a teenager. As she grew older, she’d blush every time she saw him and stopped calling him brother, opting for his full name instead. He’d figured out her crush, one she’d harbored for a decade.}

Initially, he thought of her as just a kid, but slowly, his feelings wavered. Even her brother, Dominic, had noticed, and if it weren’t for that night–if it weren’t for the underhanded stunt with the spiked drink–he might have considered seeing where things could go with Anastasia. But Juliette’s death made him despise Anastasia entirely.

When he got a second chance, his only thought was to make things right for Juliette, but he hadn’t counted on Anastasia changing so much. She seemed to have completely let go of her feelings for him and moved on so quickly with another man. Seeing her tenderly kiss someone else made jealousy churn in his gut, bitter and sour. His fists clenched so tightly that even the veins on his neck stood gut. Could it be that Anastasia had really given up on him this time?”

…&

On the day I was discharged from the hospital, Benjamin personally drove me home. My brother warmly invited him to stay for dinner, but Benjamin politely declined with a laugh, ruffling my hair on his way out, saying, “No rush. I’m busy planning a proposal. Once we’re family, we’ll have plenty of dinners together.”

Every day without Benjamin, he’d send me a little gift. Sometimes a bracelet, necklace, or watch. Other times, flowers–roses or gardenias. He always knew how to make me smile.

Since I got out of the hospital, Elijah and Juliette sensibly moved out. Even if they hadn’t, with my brother’s fiery temper, he would’ve had their stuff packed and tossed out by the housekeeper. “Elijah’s no friend of mine anymore! Anyone who messes with my sister is my enemy!” I thought he was joking, but he went ahead and blocked Elijah completely.

Things with Benjamin were going great. Recently, he took me home to meet his parents, who were instantly fond of me. After just one meeting, they were convinced I was their future daughter–in–law. With the wedding date approaching, I counted the days, eagerly anticipating Benjamin making me his wife.

I thought I’d never cross paths with Elijah again. But fate had other plans. One evening, after a shopping trip, Elijah, reeking of alcohol, comered me on my way home. He flung a stack of photos at me. Each one captured a moment of intimacy between Benjamin and me–feeding me, carrying me out of the hospital, kissing me in public. Elijah’s face grew darker with each glance.

“Anastasia, have you no shame? Flaunting around in broad daylight with another man? No wonder you’re not clinging to me anymore. Found a new target, did you? Is it because Mr. Calloway is younger and wealthier?“}

His words cut deeper and deeper. I couldn’t take it anymore and slapped him.

“Elijah, is this really how you see me?“}

“Benjamin is my boyfriend. Is there something wrong with being close with him?”

“And we’re getting married soon.“}

“You and your fiancée are close to tying the knot too. We’re both about to get married–does it really matter what I do?”

The light in Elijah’s eyes dimmed, replaced by a deep, overwhelming sadness. He reeked of booze, his voice almost pleading.

‘Anastasia, how can you be with someone else? How can you marry someone else?“}

“Have you forgotten about our daughter, Caroline?“}

“In our past lives, you shamelessly pursued me, had your brother drug me just to marry me, to have my child. You loved me so fiercely. How could you move on so quickly now?”