Chapter 28: Chapter 28

“Richard…”

His form stiffened. "But it was over now—all in the past. I am not a child anymore who needs affection from older people. I stopped dreaming about a complete family nor being in one. I am too old for that."

“But I hope your relationship with your brother strengthens. Your still siblings, after all. I would do everything for Jeremy. And I feel that you would do the same for your brother.”

He stared at her intently. He seemed to contemplate whether to agree or disagree with her. “You’re right. I cannot just forsake him. I would do everything for him. Because he was my only family,” he said firmly. “I’ll protect him whatever happens.”

Her heart pounded. She could not understand why instead of feeling happiness because Richard cared for his brother, after all, she felt his anger. That he was mad at her. What did she do wrong? Was she prying too much in his personal life? Was she not supposed to ask about those things?

She suddenly got up and turned her back. “The rain has stopped. Let’s go home,” she said and picked up her clothes to dress up.

It was hard for Esmeralda to say it. She wanted to stay in Richard's arms in that hut where she had no worries and responsibilities. She just wanted to feel the sensation he brought her once again.

She gathered her clothes and put them back. The moment that she felt freedom with Richard's help was already over. They needed to go back to reality now. To her brother, who was sick. To the man she will marry.

Esmeralda smiled curtly as she turned to face Richard once again. He was already putting his shirt on. “Thank you.”

“What for? I should be the one to thank you.” He cupped her face. “Thank you for giving yourself to me. I hope that you won’t regret it because it was the best gift I have ever received.”

“No. You were the one who gave me a gift. You allowed me to feel freedom even just for a moment.”

She had only decided for herself once. At that moment, she forgot about other people. And she did not know if it would ever happen again. She felt like she was forever chained to her responsibilities.

Richard held her shoulders. “Don’t marry him.”

Esmeralda was stunned. “Richard, you told me you would never ask me that.”

“Don’t marry him. Give me a few days. We have something really great together. I feel it. I want you to give yourself the chance to be free. Whatever your problem is right now, I can do something about it. Just wait for me.”

“I can’t promise you anything, Richard.”

She hated promises. In the world he lived in, there were many women who were more beautiful than her. Once he left, he may forget about her face.

While she would live forever remembering the night she shared with him. It was not easy to forget about the man who first owned her. Who made her feel happy and free.

“Be true to yourself. You will never be happy with that man. I can help you. I will make sure that everything will be okay.”

She shook her head. “I-I don’t know.”

She put out the fire and ignored him as she fixed her stuff until they were out of the hut. She was confused. Should she accept Richard’s offer?

Richard closed the door. “The offer still stands. If you need help for your brother’s treatment and better future, I will help you out.”

“Why?”

“I think I am falling for you.”

For a moment, Esmeralda's heart stopped beating. He fell in love with her in just a short time? Happiness filled her heart, that she felt like it would explode. Love. She already felt something special for Richard, and it only grew stronger when she gave herself to him. If they would be given a chance, it could turn into love.

But her happiness faded in an instant. They had no time for her personal interest. She could only enjoy short freedom. She had a brother who was depending on him. A man promised her marriage. And even though Richard had promised to fix her life, she could not still hold on to that.

She turned her back on him. “Let’s not talk about it. Let’s go home before it rains again,” she said and began to walk away.

She faced the cold breeze and mustered her steps. But she was surprised when Richard caught her hand. “Give me this chance for now. While we were still here. While we still can.”

She smiled at him and did not object. Even in just a couple of hours, she would feel the warmth of his hand. That she was not alone. And if it was another time and a different situation, she knew he would never let go of her hand.