Chapter 182

I found the situation ridiculous. “You should take a good look at yourself before you come at me. What gives you the right to judge me?”

“I see her as my younger sister. Likewise, she only sees me as her older brother.”

Jonathan’s expression was dark. It was as if he were trying to force me to accept his explanation. "Yes, she’s a little dependent on me, but that’s the kind of reliance a sister has on a brother. We grew up together. She’s not used to the change in my role, but she’s been trying to accept you…”

Before he could finish, I cut him off in amusement. “You actually believe that? That she only sees you as a brother? Jonathan, does Alicia’s reliance on you look like a sister’s dependence on her brother? Are you that clueless?”

He looked at me solemnly. “Elise, it’s hard to develop romantic feelings for someone you’ve grown up with. To me, she’s family. The Zimmer family helped my grandfather. I owe them a favor. It’s that simple. It’s not as sordid as you think it is.”

“Hahahaha!”

I burst into laughter. “So, I’m the one who’s getting things twisted? Are you sure it’s me who’s overthinking this, or is it you two who’ve been playing dirty? I didn’t realize you were this good at flipping the script, Jonathan! Everyone’s been gossiping about the two of you. And now you’re saying that it’s all in my head?”

“They’re just rumors. Why do you care?”

He shot me a disapproving look. “People are also gossiping about you and Frederick. Does that make the rumors true?”

I took a deep breath. I wanted to refute him. But when I looked into his eyes, I blurted out, “That’s right. It’s true. It’s not some baseless rumor.”

He looked like he was about to close the distance between us to make peace. But then, he froze as his eyes locked on mine.

It was a moment of silence, but it felt like an extreme chill sweeping through the air.

I looked into his eyes, and he looked into mine.

In that instant, I saw nothing but coldness in his eyes.

After a long pause, he finally said in a hoarse voice, “I know you’re mad at me.”

“I’m not mad at you.” I shook my head and said sincerely, “You keep saying that there’s nothing going on between you and Alicia, that you’re like brother and sister. I’ve always thought Frederick and I were just friends. But the truth is, he’s different. He’s special.”

I watched his gaze grow colder, but I went on. “He’s someone special to me. That’s why I’m willing to take risks to stay connected to him. Do you understand?”

Chapter 182

“Do you know what you’re saying, Elise?”

He suddenly grabbed my face as if he wanted to crush me.

I frowned from the pain. Still, I held his gaze without flinching. “That’s how I feel. The truth, exactly as it is.”

Outside, the rain picked up again. It sounded like a thunderstorm was rolling in.

There was also rain in my chest, but my mind had never been clearer.

“Jonathan, I will not distance myself from Frederick, no matter what you say. This is my answer! If you don’t want a divorce, we can continue to stumble through this mess. If you can’t take it, you can be the one to walk away!”

The office felt especially empty long after he had left.

I found myself unable to sleep as the rain pattered against the glass window. I rolled over on the makeshift bed.

Jonathan left immediately after I said those words.

I could tell that he was angry. Perhaps he had left to avoid further confrontation. There was no telling if he was going to get violent.