Betrayal At The Altar

Chapter 30

The temperature of David’s palm seemed to burn Rachel. She instinctively tried to break free. However, the man in front of her tightened his grip.

“Once bitten, twice shy,” David said. “The thing that a life event teaches us is a lesson for us to learn instead of making us timid.” David noticed that Rachel’s rigid body gradually relaxed. He then tentatively lifted his hand to hold Rachel’s chin, preventing her from evading his gaze. “You can reject me with prickly thorns all over your body, but I won’t give up embracing you because of that,” he said.

The room fell silent in an instant, and the torrential rain outside became particularly clear.

The pattering raindrops beat against the tiles with a chaotic rhythm, completely disturbing Rachel’s heart.

Her eyelashes trembled lightly. Eventually, she slowly closed her eyes and whispered in resignation, “David, I don’t have the courage to gamble on an all–consuming love again.”

Her gentle voice was mixed with an uncontrollable tremble as if one could feel her shattered heart.

During the three years that Rachel was in love with Louis, she resolutely chose the latter despite her family’s opposition.

She regarded Louis as her only choice for the future. She imposed Louis’s ideals and aspirations on herself. She loved Louis without hesitation or expectation of reciprocation. But in the end, what happened? Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

His betrayal came unexpectedly, like a knife thrust into her heart without warning.

She could grit her teeth and bear all the pain without uttering a word to anyone. She could also pretend to have a relieved attitude toward her future life. However, she was the only one who knew that the gruesome and terrifying wound still pierced through her heart to this day.

And she and this man in front of her were just acquaintances. Even though he had been honest about his thoughts, how could she dare to easily reach out her hand to him?

She could not bring herself to do it.

You don’t need to love. You just need to be loved.” David said. His deep and cold voice softened, like the morning sun dispersing the mist in the mountains. And like the warm stream flowing into the heart, he continued. “My deep affection doesn’t need a reason.”

He extended his hands. His cool fingertips traced lightly over the damp corner of Rachel’s eyes as if he was touching her heart directly. The numb sensation was like an electric current spreading throughout her body.

Rachel suddenly opened her eyes and looked at the man in front of her Her heart was beating like a drum.

The man’s lips curved into a gentle smile. His deep eyes seemed to be filled with infinite tenderness. Merely catching a glimpse of his eyes made it hard for anyone to resist his gaze.

Rachel stood there in a daze, mouth agape but unable to utter a word Her throat was dry and hoarse, feeling like she had been walking through the desert for three days and three nights.

Actually, when she rejected David, she had expected him to become angry. She had even prepared to have a falling out with him.

However, the fact remained that she had underestimated this man’s determination and perseverance.

He was like an experienced hunter, luring her step by step into the trap he had set. She was unconsciously led by him.

Rachel was completely powerless to resist this kind of man.

After a long while, she spoke up and asked, “Mr. Jones, are you always that upfront when it comes to dealing with women?”

“I only have you by my side.” David said as his fingertips gently slid from Rachel’s chin to her temples, lightly tucking away the stray hair by her ear. His seductive and lazy voice sounded in her ear. “You are the first woman I pursue, the only one, and also the first woman in my life to reject me,” he said.

His voice lowered, and it made Rachel’s ears turn red. She cleared her throat and replied softly, “I am the one who doesn’t know how to appreciate you.”

“That’s right, David said as he gazed at Rachel. His eyes contained a hint of amusement. “You are the only one who doesn’t appreciate me, yet you are the one who captures my heart the most.”

Rachel’s heart rippled with emotion.

After a while, she calmed down her accelerating heartbeat. She let out a sigh and said, “Thank you for the drink, but I really should go back and

rest now.”

“Let’s leave together,” David said.

Three short words that sounded almost like a command made it impossible for people to resist him.

As they walked out the door, David handed his coat to Rachel.

Seeing Rachel hesitate, he raised his hand and opened the coat, draping it directly over her shoulders. “Be careful not to catch a cold,” he said.

On the way back, the two of them walked side by side. Their footsteps gradually became synchronized, making it difficult to tell who was accommodating whom.

Under David’s escort, Rachel returned to the door of her guest room. Just as she pushed the door open, David suddenly grabbed the hand she had rested on the door lock.

At that moment, their skin touched. The warmth of David’s palm spread throughout Rachel’s body, causing her to stiffen suddenly. “What… what are you trying to do?” she asked.

“Rae–Rae,” David said.