Chapter 256

Emily looked up into William's eyes, her voice trembling slightly. "William, wasn't it you who hurt me the most?"

"I was wrong." His fingertips gently brushed her cheek. "Emily, I regret it."

His hand slid to the back of her head as he leaned down to kiss the tip of her nose. "Give me a chance to make it right. I swear I'll never hurt you again."

Emily froze.

She never expected to hear the word "regret" from him.

"Come back to me." His voice held a pleading tone she'd never heard before.

"Why?" She turned her face away. "Is it because of my body? Or—"

"Yes, I want you." William admitted without hesitation. His thumb traced the side of her neck as he kissed her nose again. "But I want you more. These past few months, just thinking about you made my skin burn."

Emily frowned, unable to believe her ears.

"Emily..." Seeing her disbelief, William gave a bitter smile. He stepped closer, his voice rough. "Can you feel it? How much I need you?"

Emily jerked back. "William!"

He caught her waist. "That's right, I'm a bastard." His lips curled self-deprecatingly. "Forgive this bastard, won't you?"

She shook her head instinctively.

It wasn't that she couldn't forgive him—she was just stunned by this brutally honest version of William.

"If you just want my body, you can have it now." She said stubbornly.

William went still.

"You really..." He released her, stepping back with a wry laugh. "Are heartless."

With that, he turned and stormed out of the private room.

"William!" Emily chased after him, only to see him disappear into the men's restroom. She paused for a second before realization dawned. A laugh escaped her.

Just then, the restaurant manager arrived with servers to deliver their food. Seeing the empty room, he asked, "Ma'am, shall we serve the dishes now?"

"Go ahead." Emily returned to her seat.

The food was laid out, but William still hadn't returned. She waited quietly, not touching her chopsticks.

Fifteen minutes later, William finally reappeared. His shoulders visibly relaxed when he saw her still sitting there.

"Let's eat." Emily picked up her chopsticks casually.

"Emily." William sat beside her and took her hand, his eyes blazing.

"Hmm?"

"I was scared just now." His gaze locked onto hers.

"Of what?"

"That you'd leave."

Emily glanced at him. "The food's getting cold."

"You waited for me?" His lips curved up.

She shifted uncomfortably under his stare. "If you're not eating, I'm leaving."

"I'll eat!" He hastily grabbed his chopsticks, shoving the nearest dish into his mouth before deftly peeling a shrimp and holding it to her lips.

Emily dodged. "Eat it yourself."

"I washed my hands." He insisted. "Smell them if you don't believe me."

With no choice, she opened her mouth and accepted it. This version of William today was like a different person—one she couldn't handle.

She kept her head down, focusing on her meal, not daring to look at him again.