Chapter 0277

“For a woman like Miranda, no matter how deeply she loved you, she would eventually choose to leave. It was just a matter of time.”

Six years…

Sam thought that was simply far too long. Long enough that he had once believed the radiant woman he knew had truly become a puppet, blindly driven by love.

Long enough that he even doubted her, almost giving up on her.

But fortunately, she finally took that step to reclaim her true self.

Sam continued, “For six years, she gave you countless chances, showering you with obvious and blatant favoritism…” It was the kind of favoritism that made others envious to the point of madness.

“Yet, you still managed to let her down. That’s why she left so decisively without looking back and burnt all bridges.”

That was Miranda Sutton!

When she loved him, she went all in and risked everything. But when she didn’t, she could gracefully withdraw and move forward on her own.

Zach used to call her a “hopeless romantic” or “crazy” in private; now, he blamed her for being “too ruthless” and “too heartless.”

But Sam knew Miranda would never live her life based on others’ opinions.

To love was to love deeply. To stop loving was to leave.

“When she decided to leave, your stomach problems or anything about you no longer mattered to her.”

Hearing this, Hansel staggered and slumped back into his seat. He opened his mouth, but the words that came out lacked the bite they once had. “And you think… you know her any better?”

Sam smiled.

“A woman is like a book. Who dares to say they can fully understand it? At different ages and in different situations, the same book will reveal different insights and experiences.

“I don’t need to rush to understand Miranda completely in a short time. I only wish to hold her in my hands for a lifetime, staying by her side, reading her again and again, and finding something new to learn about her each day.

“So, regarding your question, my answer is that I don’t know her all that well. But it’s clear that you don’t understand her at all!”

Sam’s final remark struck a nerve with Hansel. He instinctively grabbed his cup and took a gulp, only to find it was plain water. The alcohol had long been taken away at Sam’s request.

“I can’t out-talk you, and now you won’t even let me drink?” Hansel let out a bitter laugh.

Sam remained expressionless. “I still think of you like my own brother, so let me give you some advice. A little drinking is fine, but too much harms your health. You only get one life; it’s not something to mess around with.”

Hansel paused, then reluctantly took another sip of water. “Sam, I shouldn’t have asked you out for drinks; this is so pointless,” he said.

“Yeah.” Sam sighed, reaching for a cigarette but stopping halfway before putting it back. “I’m trying to quit.”

Hansel noticed and couldn’t help but scoff. “What’s this? Not only did you stop drinking, but now you’re quitting smoking too?”

“Trying to quit, haven’t managed to just yet.”

Hansel was stunned; someone who had been a smoker for over 10 years suddenly wanted to quit?

“Why?”

Sam chuckled, his gaze carrying a mix of sarcasm and pity. “I told you before, you don’t understand Miranda, but you didn’t believe me.

“Did you not know she has allergic rhinitis and is especially sensitive to cigarette smoke? It’s not severe, but every time we hung out and someone lit a cigarette, she’d frown.”

Hansel froze, realizing he never knew this.

Sam stood up, patted him on the shoulder with a smile, and said, “Give it up; you’re not getting her back.”

Then, he grabbed his coat and walked away.

“The bill’s on me. Let’s not do this again; we’re rivals now, and it’s not suitable for us to sit down and chat.”