"Then, why …"

Larissa felt as if a foreign object was dislodged in her throat, making it difficult for her to even gulp, let alone speak.

She had to increase the rate of her breathing to cope with the suffocating feeling in her chest.

"I … " Gary dared not meet her gaze as he spoke in a voice that was barely audible, "I'm afraid that you'll hate me."

He had a despondent expression on his face and his words carried a trace of uncertainty.

Larissa stared at him intently.

Gary did not seem to be lying and his emotions felt genuine.

The realization of his sincerity made Larissa calm down gradually.

Her tears stopped and her breathing slowed down to a steady pace.

"I don't hate you."

Her voice was gentle and soft, but the words she said lifted up the immense burden that was weighing down heavily on Gary's heart.

Gary's hand that was holding on to Larissa shook with emotion, as if his body was jolted by electricity.

"Lari …" Tears welled up in his eyes and his lips trem