Revenge is Best Served… After Reborn

James sat across from Sophie, his eyes seemingly piercing right through her. Sophie didn't like that look; it felt like he was peeling away her layers, leaving her completely exposed.

"Fine, I'll smoke," she said, grabbing the pack of cigarettes in front of her and randomly pulling one out. She placed it between her lips, but as she was about to light it, James interrupted, "You need to inhale while you light it."

Sophie tried to follow his instructions but found she couldn't even manage to light it properly. "So what if I can't smoke?" she said defiantly, setting the pack down. "Yeah, I'm faking it. Go ahead and tell on me."

With that, she slumped back in her chair, adopting a 'whatever, let it all fall apart' attitude. James said, "I never said I'd tell on you."

"You... won't tell on me?" Sophie looked at him suspiciously.

James replied, "You've been acting like a rebel at school, causing trouble just to keep people from hurting you."

"You're talking nonsense!" A flicker of panic crossed Sophie's eyes, as if he'd seen right through her. "Why would I be afraid of getting hurt? I'm the Russell family's heiress!"

"You're the heiress, but you still live with your Uncle Perry," James pointed out, stripping away her last layer of defense.

"You can't be too perfect because you're afraid your aunt might turn against you, and you can't be too foolish because you don't want to embarrass the Russell family. So you pretend to be tough, so no one messes with you."

"That's just your guess; you have no evidence. It's all your assumption." Sophie averted her gaze, saying, "I'm just not smart, sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Burke."

"Whether you admit it or not, it's

okay. I just don't want you to suffer," James said softly. "If you become my fiancée, I can't promise much, but I can assure you that here i Devonport, you can be whoever you want, and you won't be harmed." Cóntent belongs to swnovel

"If being your fiancée has so many perks, why choose me? With your offer, there must be plenty of girls willing to chase after you."

James' eyes darkened, "There was a girl who loved me for a long time and gave a

lot for me. But I ignored all that, and eventually, we missed our chance."

"And then what?"

"Then she chose someone else."

"What man could be better than you? That woman must have been blind." Sophie couldn't believe there was anyone better than James-the most powerful man in Devonport, with unimaginable wealth, good looks, and loyalty. swnovel

"That man not only surpassed me in ability but also in how much he

loved her, James said. "I used to

think no one could love her net

than Idid. But then I learned

love isn't about imposing what you think is best on someone else. Love is about respect, letting go, and allowing her to do what she wants. It's not about binding her in the name of love." swnovel

"Is that so?" Sophie mused, listening to James' story while starting to dig into her steak.noveldrama