Chapter 410

“Why didn’t you turn on the lights?” she asked curiously.

“I miss you,” he replied, his answer seemingly irrelevant.

Her face flushed, and her heart pounded. She was grateful for the darkness, which concealed her blush.

“How about you? Did you miss me today?” His voice resonated in her ears, his breath sending a tingling sensation down her neck.

All her attention focused on her neck. Feeling his breath, she sensed his lips were so close to her ear that a slight movement would bring them together.

Just as she was lost in thought, a sharp pain pierced her ear. She recoiled, then her face flushed even deeper. He was biting her ear, his mouth gently clamping her earlobe, making her whole body tremble.

“Did you?” he murmured.

“I did…” she whispered, quivering. “Well… let me go.” She breathed unevenly, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension.

Instead of releasing her, he continued, “Do you love me?”

She was stunned. Love—it was a profound word. Did she love him?

“I… like you,” Grace admitted truthfully, taking a deep breath. Yes, she only liked him. Her feelings, for now, didn't yet reach the level of love. Love was sacred and unique; it wasn't something easily attained. She didn't want to force herself to say she loved him. Perhaps this wasn't the answer he wanted.

Grace expected Jason to be unhappy, to insist she reconsider.

Surprisingly, he simply held her and murmured, “But… I love you, Sis. I love you so much that I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you. I love you so much that life would be meaningless without you. I love you so much that… I can’t control my emotions…”

His voice was like a night wind’s song, caressing her ears.

What was he saying? He loved her, and he loved her that much? How was that possible?

Subconsciously, she wanted to dismiss his words as sweet nothings.

But another voice argued within her. Men like him didn't need to use sweet talk; he didn't have to. He was expressing his feelings without reservation.

She had assumed even if he declared his love, it would only be affection. She hadn't expected such depth, such intensity.

“I’m not asking you to fall in love with me at once, or to open your heart immediately. I only want your affection for me to be a tenth of my love for you. I only want you to like me a little more,” he whispered.