Chapter 158

Jonathan seemed momentarily stunned. Before he could reply, Cynthia pulled her hand away, her face hardening. "Is this the response you were hoping for?"

Jonathan's face darkened. Cynthia let out a bitter laugh. "At Nina's birthday party, you said we barely knew each other—that was just an act, was it? Everyone at Betrico knows Nina is closest to your heart. Is that fake? Were the sparks between you two all a show? And that promise to protect her for life when Nina was twelve… was that pretend, too?"

Cynthia sneered. "If all of this is just an act, then you're insincere to the core, Jonathan. You're impossible to trust." She thought, If his eight years with Nina were just a show, then what about their three years of shallow emotions? Not even worth calling an act, maybe.

Jonathan didn't expect Cynthia to know about what happened twelve years ago. Nina must have mentioned something. He decided to stop hiding it.

"Nina and I aren't what you think," Jonathan began. "In public, yes, it looks like she's with me. But that's only to protect her, using my name. As for why…"

Jonathan's eyes showed a hint of complex emotion. "Twelve years ago, Nina was kidnapped. The Sullivan family came to us, desperate to find her. My father allowed them to search every room, but they found nothing. I knew where Nina was—my sister Whitney's basement."

"When I found her, she was barely alive. Seeing her like that was like looking at my childhood self."

He paused, jaw clenched, then continued, "When I was a kid, Whitney often locked me in that dark basement and deceived my family into thinking she was taking me on a trip. My dad was busy, my mom didn't care, and Whitney was very cunning."

"Each time, she kept me locked up for days, then took me to the hospital, fixed me up, and sent me back home. This went on and on. If I ever dared to tell anyone, her punishments only grew worse."

"I'll never forget that despair, the hunger, the cold, the darkness. It was like drowning, each second not knowing if I'd survive to the next."

Jonathan looked at Cynthia, his voice steady but low. "Since I was young, I've been her plaything, the target of her twisted cruelty. I never imagined that after I went abroad, she'd turn her attention to Nina."

"I went abroad when I was thirteen and came back at twenty. On my second day back, I had a feeling Nina was in that basement. Saving her was about saving the helpless child I once was. Protecting her was like protecting that frightened and lost child I used to be."

Jonathan closed his eyes for a moment. "I can still remember the feeling of fear gnawing at my bones."

"My care and patience with Nina stemmed from seeing my younger self in her. Back then, all I wanted was for someone to appear and help me escape from that crazy woman's control."

Cynthia was deeply shaken by what she had just heard. She'd known that Jonathan and Whitney had a strained relationship, but she had no idea he had endured such abuse from such a young age.

Jonathan stepped closer. "Nina and I share a bond of understanding born from shared pain, but there's no romantic feeling involved. Those assumptions are just people's skewed perspectives."

His deep eyes locked onto Cynthia's, emotion flooding his eyes. "Cynthia, from the very start, the one I've cared about, the one I've loved, has only ever been you." Jonathan had felt this way since he was ten, for the past eighteen years.

Cynthia remained composed, though inside she felt a bit of shock. But Jonathan's words weren't enough to alter her stance. She made up her mind instantly.

Chapter 158 (Continued)

Looking up at him, Cynthia replied calmly, "Jonathan, if all of that is true, then I sympathize with you and Nina. But you don't need to explain any of it to me, because I have no intention of being part of this mess."

Cynthia continued, "Jonathan, I don't like you anymore. You thought you were protecting me by explaining nothing at that birthday party, but the hurt you caused me was worse than what Whitney did. I had genuine feelings before, but now I've let them go."

Cynthia gave Jonathan a faint smile. "I've had my brush with death, so I value my life now more than ever. If being with you would invite Whitney's vengeance or even lead to an attempt on my life, why would I stay?"

Cynthia's tone was icy cold: "And if Ms. Bennett has any misunderstandings, I'll find a way to clarify. You don't need to worry about my safety." Cynthia picked up the herbs from the ground and decisively turned around.

After a few steps, she stopped. "Also, even though I don't plan to be involved, I should remind you that your thoughts don't represent Nina's. Sure, you don't have feelings for her, but can't you see she has them for you?"

"Cynthia, you really—" Jonathan began, but Cynthia cut him off, her voice sharp. "Perhaps you're wondering, after your heartfelt confession, am I not moved? Am I truly not willing to cast caution aside, to stand by your side against Whitney, risking my life for the sake of love?"

Cynthia flashed a bright, almost mocking smile. "Sorry, I'm not." She turned and walked away.

Call it self-preservation, call it selfishness—Cynthia didn't care. Why would she throw herself into the flames when she could see them clearly ahead? Ever since being betrayed by the person she'd known for twenty years, she knew better. Love was worthless.

She lived for herself now. She wasn't going to be a pawn in the Bennett family's power struggle, nor anyone's weakness.

She was different from Jonathan. After Lilian, she was no longer a saint who wanted to pity or save anyone. Even with a clear mind, a hint of irritation still lingered in her heart like a shadow.

Half an hour later, Cynthia and Jonathan returned to the beach with their herbs. The others had already prepared everything, with Preston building a small stove out of sand and rocks.

After returning from the woods, Cynthia was as calm as usual, but Jonathan seemed preoccupied. But soon he was fully focused on preparing dinner, with Ethan assisting him.

An hour later, the makeshift table was filled with an impressive spread of delicious dishes, leaving everyone stunned.

Meanwhile, in the living room:

[Can someone explain how Jonathan pulled this off?] [Wait, did I just watch a full-on survival chef? Without oil, Jonathan used fresh coconuts to make coconut oil—legendary!] [Garlic butter shrimp, grilled crab with green onions, seared snapper, fried calamari, and mushroom veggie stir-fry—on a deserted island? Seriously?] [Oh my gosh, my mouth is watering! Put it in my mouth!] [Looks nice, but I don't believe herbs alone could make it taste that good.]