Chapter 313: Chapter 313: Will You Give Me Back My Old Self?

’Do I have to spend twenty years winning her over, too?’

’I could. Twenty years... as long as I can be with her in the end, why not?’

But he was just so scared.

He was afraid that it would all be for nothing in the end—that time would slip away, she would build a life with someone else, and he would be left to die old and alone.

Leona Grant slowly squatted down, gazing deeply at her peaceful, sleeping face.

Asleep, she didn’t seem as cold as she usually was, yet an unshakable air of distance still clung to her.

The light from the bedside lamp illuminated the affection in Leona Grant’s eyes, throwing his chiseled features into even sharper relief.

Normally, he seemed invincible, indifferent to the world, as if no one could cause the slightest ripple in his emotions.

But what no one knew was that his every emotion was now at the mercy of another. A single word from Annabelle Linton could set off a tempest in his heart.

He just never let it show.

Now that no one was around, he could finally allow himself the vulnerability he always kept hidden.

A torrent of emotions—heartache, helplessness, sorrow, loneliness, and resignation—washed over his stoic features.

’She hadn’t really done anything... she’d just taken back her love for me. How could that alone hurt so much...?’

Leona Grant sighed. He lowered his gaze and gently kissed her brow, then carefully took her injured hand.

’Untreated, just as I thought. I knew she didn’t care about taking care of herself. Bringing her here was absolutely the right thing to do.’

The cut wasn’t deep, but it had bled a lot. Annabelle Linton had taken a shower earlier, and the wound had turned pale from the water.

Though the wound wasn’t large or serious, seeing it on her still caused him pain.

"Idiot."

Leona Grant chided her with a helpless sigh, kissing her long, slender hand before taking out some ointment to treat the wound.

After applying the ointment, he worried she might be careless, so he gently wrapped her hand in two thin layers of gauze.

Through all of this, Annabelle Linton remained sound asleep.

Leona Grant studied her delicate features closely, unable to resist kissing her again.

Finally, he gently lifted the blanket and lay down on the bed.

He gently turned her body to face him, then slid his arm under her neck to serve as a pillow. With his other hand, he gently lifted her leg to rest on his own, then placed her hand on his waist.

It created the illusion that she was hugging him back.

A steady warmth flowed from her body into his, filling him with comfort.

The corners of Leona Grant’s mouth lifted into a smile. He tightened his other arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him. Her head rested on his chest.

Holding her felt like he had the whole world in his arms.

Her body was fragrant and soft, and holding her was incredibly comforting.

If he could, he would trade his entire life for the chance to have Annabelle by his side, and he would do so without a moment’s hesitation.

Leona Grant pressed his lips together, watching her carefully, afraid that the slightest misstep would wake her. That would be awkward.

’It’s not that I’d be embarrassed. In her eyes, I’m already a shameless bastard. Why would I care about saving face now?’

What he was worried about was that if she woke up, she would definitely shove him away again.

Being pushed away by her would leave him hurt and dejected. Besides, if he missed this chance, he had no idea when he’d get to hold her again.

Leona Grant hugged her tighter, his movements gentle.

"Annabelle Linton, you know... I’m actually jealous of people who can just turn their back and walk away, who can reject someone so cleanly... I used to be like that. But you made me into someone I don’t even recognize. Can you please give me back the man I used to be?"