Page 59 of The Rancher's Vengeful Heart

"I'm sorry about everything that's happened lately."

"It's fine."

Alberta gazed at her soberly. "Do you need more time before going in?"

Tassy shook her head.

"Alright then."

Alberta opened the door for her, and Tassy could feel countless pairs of eyes following her as she stepped inside the cavernous office. It was her first time to be here, and she took a deep breath in a bid to brace herself for the worst.

Please just be with me, God.

I know I can endure anything as long as You're there.

She lifted her gaze...but instead of Fontana's father, the person standing in front of her was...Lucius?

A part of her wanted to run away right that moment, but the moment her gaze collided with his, it was like falling under a deadly spell, and she could no longer look away even though seeing him killed her bit by bit.

Lucius breathed hard as his wife stared at him in shock. His fists clenched against his sides, a growing sense of agitation threatening to consume him from within.

He knew it was only a matter of time before she remembered, and when he saw her suddenly pale—-

He knew, of course.

He knew his wife finally remembered how he had pushed her away.

Ignored her pleas.

Before abandoning her.

Tassy whirled around to leave, but she only managed to take a step before feeling his arms wrap around her from behind.

"Forgive me."

The rawness of his tone broke her heart, but she knew she couldn't let the past repeat itself again.

"You're the most important thing in my life—" As soon as he said this, his Tassina started to struggle, but he couldn't let her go. "You are, Tassina—"

All she could do was shake her head, and she was no longer able to hold back her tears.

Liar,she wished she had the strength to scream at him.

Liar!

Liar!

"Ryu and Devon told me about your ex," he said unevenly. "I realize now that you would never have deliberately hidden the truth from me. I know that now. But back then...all I could think of was that you were lying to me—"

Tassy could hardly breathe as sobs rocked her body. She had never lied to him.Never. Buthehad lied to her!

"And that you only married me to hurt him."

Lucius suddenly spun her around to face him, his movements jerky with barely contained emotions. His hands gripped her upper arms, not painfully but with an urgency that betrayed the frayed state of his composure.

"I couldn't think straight after that."

Tassy wished she could feel angry. Or even betrayed. But all she felt was pain. Not just for herself, but for him.Why, God?Why did it hurt so, so much just to see the haunted look on his face?

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