Chapter 93

Cynthia was distressed. For twenty years, Selena had been the person she loved most; a child's natural love for their mother. Before Shirley's return, Selena's love for Cynthia had been unconditional, but Shirley's reappearance changed everything.

Cynthia had lost her home and parents. She had never even spoken face-to-face with her biological mother, Rachel York, and hadn't seen her since Rachel went to prison. There was no love between them.

"Who else can I talk to?" Cynthia wondered. "The Yates? They have no obligation to me. Naomi? She's been unreachable since returning to the Sullivan family three years ago."

Only one person remained in Cynthia's thoughts: Jonathan. She sighed. "Since when did he become the only reliable and trustworthy person in my life?" she mused.

Hector seemed to read her mind. "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may," he said.

Cynthia laughed. "He's no rosebud." Indeed, Jonathan was anything but. Her biggest mistake had been treating him like a delicate flower, sheltering him. In reality, he was cold as the moon to others, but blazing hot toward her. Despite her attempts to restrain herself, she was falling for him.

The question of ending their relationship plagued her, yet she hesitated.

Hector looked at her calmly. "He's your medicine. Try it, based on that alone."

Cynthia sighed. "He's Mr. Bennett of Betrico."

"Scared?" Hector asked.

"I am," Cynthia admitted frankly. Betrico was a powerful force; the Bennett family, even more so. It was the eye of the storm.

Cynthia disliked scheming, but a relationship with Jonathan would inevitably involve it.

"Do you love him, then?" Hector asked.

"Yes," Cynthia blurted out, always honest with Hector. After a pause, she added, "Very much." She knew her heart's desire.

When Filip returned, Cynthia's insistence on breaking up with Jonathan wasn't about Filip; it was about her burgeoning, overwhelming love for Jonathan, her obsession with his scent and warmth, her loss of control.

Later, her move back to Greenfield Villa wasn't due to pressure from Jonathan, but to her overwhelming longing for him.

She established rules, but they were primarily self-imposed restraints. She craved rationality and control, a desperate attempt to avoid losing herself.

If love were simply a feeling, she would have succumbed a thousand times. But her love was rational, contradictory, restrained, and even selfish.

Chapter 93 (continued)

Cynthia constantly reminded herself of their eventual separation, keeping Jonathan at arm's length—a door ajar, visible and touchable, yet unattainable.

Hector's words resonated. She stood, grabbed her bag, and prepared to leave.

"Where are you going?" Hector asked.

Cynthia smiled brightly. "To open a door for someone."

She couldn't fully articulate it. Perhaps it was the first time she truly acknowledged her love, or the culmination of long deliberation. She had never been a coward. "So what if I'm dragged into a war, a sea of fire?" she thought. She wanted to be officially with Jonathan.

Excited, she yearned to see him, to hold him, to tell him she loved him.

Soon, she arrived at the BJ Building, her picture still displayed on the large screen. Unlike her last visit, she was in high spirits.

Everyone greeted her respectfully, and she smiled back. The title of Jonathan's girlfriend felt wonderful.

Exiting the elevator, she bumped into Shirley, who was about to enter. Shirley was stunned.

Cynthia avoided interaction, heading straight for Jonathan's office. But Shirley followed, intercepting her. "Cynthia, what are you doing here?"

Cynthia looked at her lazily. "I'm here to see my boyfriend. Problem?"

Shirley exploded. "You're shameless! You were married to Filip, yet you cheat with Jonathan and call yourself his girlfriend! An abandoned woman like you doesn't deserve him!" Shirley was unaware of the specifics of Cynthia and Filip's relationship, believing Cynthia to be fickle and opportunistic, driven by Filip's neglect.

"He's only temporarily mesmerized by you," Shirley continued furiously. "He'll soon realize you're a nobody! Mrs. Bennett? In your dreams!"

Cynthia remained calm. "Should I let you have the title of Mrs. Bennett, then?" she smiled.

Shirley, momentarily stunned, blurted out, "Yes!"

Cynthia smiled and glanced behind Shirley. "Jon, you have many admirers. The title of Mrs. Bennett might not be enough to go around," she said.

Shirley froze. Jonathan was behind her! A tall, slender figure approached Cynthia, his face cold. "You're the only one uninterested in being Mrs. Bennett," he said, his tone gentle despite his expression.

Shirley was speechless, realizing Cynthia had deliberately set her up.