He clenched his fists unconsciously, trying to control himself. No. It doesn't matter. It shouldn't matter. He reminded himself coldly. I have no right to care. I'm not her real mate. It was all just a fake act between us.
But even as he thought that, his chest only grew tighter. There was a strange heaviness in his heart that refused to go away... a bitter, suffocating feeling he didn't know how to name.
Su Qinglan, unaware of the turmoil in his heart, smiled brightly at both of them. "I'm fine," she said softly. "I was just… rescued by him. He's actually really gentle, not like how he looks."
Her words only made Han Jue's heart ache more. He didn't reply, just stared at her radiant face, and felt something inside him crumble. He wanted to say something, anything, but no words came out.
Why am I feeling like this? he thought bitterly. Why does my chest hurt when I see her smile at someone else like that?
