Jessica sneered inwardly. "Now you're trying to make up for it?"

"Have a seat, Michael. We need to talk," Jessica said again.

Only then did Michael sit down.

"Michael, based on the way you've treated me during this period, I think there’s a misunderstanding between us." Jessica looked into Michael’s eyes. "You and I are both married. We’re no longer a couple. Your constant care and concern for me has already crossed the boundaries of friendship."

Seeing Jessica say the word "boundaries" so openly, Michael’s face turned slightly pale.

He forced a smile. "I’m divorced, Jessica. Do you not want to be with me because I have a child? Don’t you like Jordan as well?"

Jessica shook her head. "What’s between you and me has nothing to do with the child. Even if I like Jordan, I’m not Jordan’s real mother."

"But Jordan…"

"Michael, don’t you get it? The feelings between you and me were already in the past. I no longer love you."

Saying so firmly that she no longer loved him shattered even Michael’s last bit of wishful thinking.

Michael muttered to himself, "This can’t be. How could you not have feelings for me? After I came back, you always took care of me. You took Jordan to the hospital late at night, and you even let me stay in your house. How could you not love me?"

So that was what it was about.

Jessica explained, "That was because you had no one to rely on after returning to the country. Besides… when you came back, the first person you actually contacted was Sophie, right?"

She stared intently into Michael’s eyes. "Because you contacted Sophie, and she wanted to help you, I had no other choice. And besides, you and I did fall in love five years ago. That was why I helped you."

"How could this be? Impossible. You couldn’t have stopped loving me. You ignored Chris for so many years because of me. You indulged Sophie’s disrespect toward Chris because of me. Between me and Chris, you always chose me!"

Was it all an illusion? Was everything an illusion?

Had he misunderstood?

Or had Jessica been bewitched by Chris?

Yes, that had to be it!

It must have been Chris who bewitched Jessica and deceived her!

It was Chris who tricked Jessica’s feelings!

Michael suddenly stood up and grabbed Jessica’s hand. He moved so quickly that Jessica didn’t even react in time. She tried to shake off Michael’s hand but couldn’t match his strength.

"It was Chris, wasn’t it? Chris must have deceived your feelings! Jessica, you loved me. You were only used to having Chris around! Leave Chris. Let’s be together again. We were the ones who were truly meant for each other!"

Hearing Michael slander Chris, Jessica pushed him away without hesitation.

She stood up as well, confronting Michael face to face.

At the door, Shannon and Maggie, who had been listening the whole time, wanted to rush in several times but held themselves back.

Maggie looked at Shannon. The latter mouthed, "Not now."

Jessica looked coldly at Michael. "Michael, you contacted Sophie as soon as you returned because you knew I had married Chris. You thought there was no chance with me, so you set your sights on Sophie. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?"

"I…"

"And later, you turned your attention back to me because you noticed my attitude toward you. You thought you could surpass Chris. Michael, you’ve always been a selfish person. The love we had five years ago–perhaps it was just our illusion."