After that, Annabelle never made him angry again. They were often together, and the moment Annabelle saw him, she would always break into a smile.

He liked how she was always saying his name, "Leon, Leon," even though he always looked annoyed.

He liked how she would always smile the moment she saw him, even if it was a bit of a goofy smile.

He liked how she would drop everything and run to him the moment she saw him, even though it was sometimes annoying.

He liked how she would cry for him whenever her heart ached, even though he always called her pathetic.

’So pathetic, to be unable to let go after so many years of being hurt.’

’Annabelle, in our next life, can I be the pathetic one instead?’

’In our next life, I’ll love you right...’

Looking back now, he realized he’d had feelings for her ever since then.

But then everything changed. A series of twisted coincidences and unfortunate misunderstandings caused his resentment toward her to grow deeper and deeper.

She was no longer his little Annabelle.

She was scheming, cunning, and always played the innocent victim. She was pretentious, hypocritical, two-faced, and malicious. It was as if she embodied every single flaw he detested.

He hated her, but in truth, it was more that he was utterly disappointed.

He’d see her running to his grandfather to tattle, only to burst into fake tears the moment she saw him.

He’d see her bullying Vivian Yates, only for her to put on an "I didn’t do it, I don’t know anything" act in front of everyone. Who couldn’t see through her petty tricks?

Later, her schemes grew more and more vicious—pushing Vivian Yates into the water, shoving her into the path of a car, throwing her down the stairs. He was so disappointed in her that he didn’t want to speak to her, not even a single word. The very sight of her made him sick.

But it wasn’t until much, much later that he understood it was all a smokescreen, and he had actually fallen for it...

In truth, you couldn’t really blame Leon Grant. A misunderstanding or two might be forgotten, but who wouldn’t grow tired of schemes that were repeated time and again, each one more vicious than the last?

It was all because Vivian Yates was just that relentless.

When he really thought about it, he did like her.

Otherwise, why, with so many malicious people in the world he couldn’t be bothered with, did he single her out to target, curse, and insult?

It was because he was just so deeply disappointed.

And yet, he still liked her. He just never realized it.

Later, they got married.

’Remember that time his company was in trouble and she went to entertain clients over drinks, and then he took her ruthlessly in bed?’

’Thinking about it now, what was that if not his jealousy and possessiveness flaring up?’

His blood boiled when he saw her smiling so sweetly at another man!

’His wife, entertaining another man over drinks!’

And so, he pinned her to the bed and took her again and again, making her remember exactly who her man was, and whose woman she was!

’Possessiveness, jealousy... where do those things come from, if a man doesn’t like you?’

’He was a man with standards, practically an ascetic for so many years. If he truly felt nothing for her, would he have ever touched her?’

After that, their conflicts multiplied. They started fighting about divorce, constantly fighting. But she never said much. She didn’t join the fighting, nor did she agree to it. She just cried silently.

Of course, the divorce never went through.

Later still, he thought about finding another woman to force her away.

’But he couldn’t find anyone.’

Any woman prettier than her didn’t have as good a figure. Any woman with a better figure didn’t have her personality. Any woman with a better personality wasn’t as capable. Any woman more capable didn’t come from as good a family. Any woman from a better family wasn’t as beautiful. As for any woman who might have been better than her in looks, figure, personality, ability, and family background? He just couldn’t stand the sight of them!