Chapter 64.1
Twice kicked in the same spot, Luke couldn’t even scream. He clutched his shin, teeth gritted. I smirked at him, meeting his silent glare. “Anyway, you better explain things to Sylvia. Tell her we have no relationship whatsoever.”
“I’ll tell her it’s not ordinary,” Luke retorted sarcastically, pushing himself up. Already? I should have kicked him harder. I glanced at his shin, and he flinched, shuffling back slightly.
“Fine. Tell her it’s not ordinary, tell her we want to kill each other.”
“I only went on that blind date because of Grandfather and Sylvia.”
“I never asked.” I didn’t care. As long as they left me out of it, I’d even wish them happiness.
“Which is exactly why I can’t let you go.” Luke offered a sly smile, as if no one could fool Rupert Randy and Sylvia as well as I could. “If I’m going to hell, we might as well go together, Amelia.”
He took a step closer, a much larger step than the one he’d just taken back. “You were going to break off your engagement with Hector anyway, weren’t you? So be grateful. I’ll take you in, seeing as you’ll have nowhere else to go.”
“What nonsense. I never asked for your help, and I have no intention of being ‘taken in.’”
A snort of laughter. He covered his mouth with his hand, still chuckling. “Do you think you can handle the Hazel family debt?”
No, I can’t. It’s a trap you’ve spent years crafting. Luke Randy knew the family debt better than I did. He knew that even if I worked until the day I died, I could never repay it. So…
“I never said I would handle it.” I turned away from him, my tone resolute. Why was I wasting my precious time talking to him? I needed to get away as quickly as possible.
I quickened my pace, but Luke persistently followed. “What does that mean?”
“Why should I explain myself to you, Luke? Have you ever been told you’re like a pest? As persistent as a… well, you know.” I’d meant it as a scathing comparison, but for once, Luke seemed unfazed.
“Don’t put on a brave face. You can’t abandon the Hazels.”
“….”
“Pretending to be indifferent won’t…”
I stopped and turned back to him. How long was he planning to follow me? It was incredibly irritating. “Creating that massive debt for the Hazels, introducing Hector to someone else… Aren’t you tired of it all?”
“…What are you talking about?”
“Luke, did you really think I wouldn’t find out that Vivian Ewill is your cousin?”
He finally fell silent, just standing there. But he didn’t seem flustered.
“Did you think you could forever hide the fact that you orchestrated Hector and Vivian’s meeting?”
“That’s absurd…” Then a smirk, one corner of his mouth lifting. His voice dripped with amusement. “Not forever, but I thought it would be a while before you found out.” A satisfied smile spread across his face, as if imagining something. A strange glint flickered in his eyes as he looked down at me. “After I’d ‘taken you in,’ of course.”
Damn it. I should have left little Luke alone, no matter how annoying he was. He’d grown into an even more troublesome man.
“Were you that upset about losing to me when we were kids? Enough to keep this up for so long?” Luke, you’re truly persistent, I added, shaking my head. I clicked my tongue, looking at him with feigned pity, and his smug expression crumbled. Damian was difficult to handle because he was so unpredictable, but Luke Randy was easy. I knew exactly what he was thinking and what would provoke a strong reaction.
“Who would care about something so trivial!”
“Then why are you doing this?” I shot back at the now-furious Luke. He hesitated.
“That’s…”
“That’s?”
“I…”
“Yes, you…”
Luke’s mouth opened and closed. I expected a stream of insults, but his expression was… strange. “…I hate you, Amelia Hazel.”
“I hate you too, Luke Randy.”
My quick reply left him speechless again, lips parting slightly. A sigh escaped through my teeth. “Luke, let me be clear. I will never ask for your help.” Since he clearly wasn’t listening, I decided to just say my piece and leave.
“…No matter what happens?”
“Even if my family is ruined.” That useless family. Let them be ruined. Then they wouldn’t be able to borrow any more money using the family name. “Even if I die, I will never ask for your help.” I emphasized each word, driving the point home. I turned to leave, but—
“I’m not finished!” He reached out and grabbed my arm.
I stared past him, not even attempting to shake him off.
“Hey, what are you looking at?” Luke, puzzled by my reaction, followed my gaze. Hector and Vivian strolled down the street, arm in arm.
“…Hey.”
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