Used, Broken, Reborn, Novel

Chapter 25 Snowflakes drifted down in a flurry, and though the sounds of people leaving filled the air, their world grew quiet in this moment. Arabella gazed at the cautious affection in his eyes, and in an instant, all the barriers in her heart crumbled. Her heartache and affection finally melted into a gentle sigh, her eyes growing slightly moist. She took a small step forward, closing the last bit of distance between them. "Is it really just dinner?" Winston was momentarily stunned, a surge of joy flooding his chest, and then he reached out to gently hold her cool fingers.

"No," he looked at her, his eyes sparkling, "it's a beginning." Arabella let him hold her hand, and the two of them walked slowly along the street. After a while, Arabella suddenly remembered something. She turned her head, a sly smile playing at the corner of her lips. "By the way, there's something I need to ask you." "Hmm?" Winston looked down at her. "Chief Burke asked me to come over today. Was it you who sent him to persuade me?" 11.02 Arabella stared into his eyes, trying to catch any hint of the truth. At her words, a flicker of awkwardness flashed across Winston's face.

"No, it was definitely a coincidence. Chief Burke is the boss, it's normal for him to assign work." But his stiffness did not escape Arabella's notice. "Oh-" she drew out the word, deliberately leaning closer to him, "Really? Mr. Holloway, you're an outstanding entrepreneur now. Lying isn't very wise." Winston's ears turned red under her gaze. "Why would I lie to you?" "Is that so?" Arabella stopped walking, holding his hand to keep him from leaving. "Then how come I heard that someone reserved Olive Garden a month in advance, and it just happens to be my favorite one?

Was that also just some casual chat with Chief Burke?" Winston: " He hadn't expected his staff to be so loose-lipped, even letting that slip. Seeing his silence, Arabella was even more certain. Amused and exasperated, she poked his chest with her finger. "Well, Winston, you've learned to use roundabout tactics now?" "Too scared to come yourself, so you sent the old boss as backup? Hmm?" Her fingertip pressed lightly through his shirt, but it made Winston's heart skip several beats. He couldn't hold back any longer, letting out a low laugh as he took her hand, his tone helpless yet doting.

"Alright, I admit it. I asked Chief Burke to help persuade you. I was afraid if I came to you myself, you'd 11.02 288 Vouchers ignore me." His voice dropped, tinged with a bit of lingering fear. "After all, I behaved terribly at the auditorium last time." Hearing him admit it himself, Arabella's small annoyance vanished, replaced by a surge of tenderness. A man who once faced gunfire without blinking was now so anxious in front of her. She squeezed his hand in return. "Weren't you pretending not to know me back then?" "I was wrong." Winston admitted readily, his attitude perfectly sincere.

He lowered his head, pressing his forehead to hers, their breaths mingling. "Punish me however you want, as long as you don't ignore me." Such closeness made Arabella's heart melt completely. "Your punishment is to cook all the noodles you owe me from this past year." A smile spread in Winston's eyes. "Alright, I can cook them for a lifetime if you want." The streetlights stretched their embracing shadows, merging them into one. All the hesitation, separation, anxiety, and pain dissolved in this moment, turning into a certain future. "Let's go." Arabella nudged him with a smile.

"Didn't you reserve Olive Garden? If we don't go soon, they'll cancel our table." 1102 Chapter 25 259 Vouchers "They won't." Winston took her hand, fingers interlaced, and walked toward the car parked not far away, his tone resolute. "I reserved a permanent seat."