waking up with my nemesis' baby novel

Chapter 290 He reached out , not to hand the phone to Charlotte , but to press the end call button directly . The screen went dark . The kitchen fell into a dead silence , with only the sound of water dripping from the not - quite - closed faucet . Drip ... drip ... drip ... Hammering against Charlotte's heart , which had almost stopped beating . She stood stiffly , holding her breath , not daring to turn and see the expression on Bradley's face . Bradley didn't speak . He just slowly , step by step , walked over to Charlotte , his tall figure casting a shadow that completely enveloped her .

" Shouldn't you give me an explanation ? " " I ... " Chapter 290 Charlotte slowly backed away until her body hit the counter , with nowhere left to retreat . Bradley moved closer , bit by bit . He placed his arms on the counter on either side of her , trapping her in the small space and completely cutting off her escape . The familiar scent on him was now full of aggression , pressing down on her until she could barely breathe . Bradley lowered his head , his deep gaze locking onto her panicked , flickering eyes .

His voice was so low it was almost a rasp , each word seeming to be squeezed from between his teeth : " Lying to me ? " He repeated the words , his eyes churning with incredulous fury and a deeply wounded pain . Even though he had already guessed this would happen , actually hearing it still hurt Bradley . " Getting Simon to pretend to be your boyfriend ? Chapter 290 Charlotte , do you want nothing to do with me that badly ? So much that you'd resort to this kind of trick to lie to me ? " His questions were like a cold whip , lashing at Charlotte's heart .

She opened her mouth , but her throat was too dry to make a sound . All the excuses and pretexts she had prepared beforehand seemed incredibly pale and ridiculous at this moment . " Look at me ! " Bradley's voice suddenly rose , carrying an undeniable command . His fingers on her chin tightened slightly , forcing her to lift her pale face . " Tell me , why ? " " I ... I just ... " Her voice trembled , her words jumbled , " At the time , I didn't know what to do ... I was afraid you ... " " Afraid of what ?

" Chapter 290 Bradley took a step closer , the distance between them so small their noses were almost touching . His warm breath brushed against her cheek , yet it carried a biting chill . " Afraid I'd cling to you ? Afraid I'd disturb your new life after coming back ? Or afraid that I ... still like you , and that would be a burden to you ? " His directness and sharpness left Charlotte with nowhere to hide . Her eyelashes trembled violently , a fragile sheen of tears welling up in her eyes . " It's not like that , Bradley , listen to me ... " " Listen to what ?

" Bradley cut her off abruptly, the corner of his mouth twisting into an extremely bitter , sarcastic smile . " Listen to you spin another lie to trick me ? Chapter 290 Charlotte , in your eyes , just how stupid am I ? Or how much do you hate me that you need to push me away like this? " He took half a step back , looking at her with an incredibly unfamiliar gaze , one filled with disappointment and heartbreak . " After all these years ... " His voice dropped , laced with an exhausted hoarseness . " I thought even if you didn't like me , at least ...

at least we still had the bond from growing up together . Not to the point where you'd use ' deception ' against me . " Charlotte looked at the clear pain in his eyes , her heart feeling as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand , hurting so much she could barely breathe . She subconsciously reached out , wanting to grab his sleeve , " Bradley , I'm sorry ... I ... " ။ But Bradley avoided her touch . He gave her one last look , a look so complex it broke Charlotte's heart . Chapter 290 There was anger , hurt , disappointment , and a hint of ... a finality she couldn't understand .

At that moment , Charlotte panicked . Bradley avoided her outstretched hand . The movement wasn't harsh , it was even gentle , but it was like a cold , dull knife , grinding cruelly into Charlotte's heart . He gave her one last look , a look so complex it was suffocating . Anger , hurt , disappointment , and a kind of cold , final resolve that terrified her . Then , he turned and walked toward the door without a word . His tall back was straight , but it radiated an indescribable loneliness and desolation . " Bradley !

" Charlotte cried out instinctively , her voice filled with a panic and pleading she hadn't even realized was there . Bradley's steps faltered for a moment , just for a moment . He didn't turn back . Chapter 290 His hand gripped the doorknob , and he pulled the door open decisively . The light from the hallway flooded in , instantly illuminating half his silhouette and stinging Charlotte's eyes . She knew he should have stayed , listened to her explanation , even if it was just a weak excuse .

Cedella Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella's storytelling style is immersive and addictive-perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.