Lemira stood in front of Orion, trying to muster the courage to say what she needed to. Janice had already prepared all the harsh words for her, but when it came time to speak, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

She hadn't anticipated crying so much, and neither did Orion. He froze for a moment, then quickly grabbed a towel to wipe her tears away. "I wasn't with another woman that night," he confessed.

But Lemira pushed his hand away. "Orion, I've been thinking a lot these past few days. We should break up."

The words "break up" made Orion's eyes widen in shock. Without hesitation, he declared, "No, I can't agree to that."

"Orion, this isn't about what you agree to," Lemira replied, wiping her tears. "I'm serious. We're just not right for each other."

"We've only been together for a short while. How can you know that?" Orion protested, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. "Or is it that you've already found someone else?"

Is that why she's been avoiding me? he wondered.

Lemira shook his hand off. "Think whatever you want. You were the one who said I'd meet plenty of handsome guys my age in college and start a new life. You were right; I connect better with people my own age."

"Lemira!" Orion's eyes darkened, a storm brewing within them. "I know you don't mean that."

"But I do. Let go, I'm leaving."

Orion, however, pinned her against the ropes of the boxing ring with more force than necessary. "You think you can just walk away like that after getting involved with me?"

He leaned in to kiss her, but Lemira turned her head, trying to evade him. Yet, his grip was too strong, and the kiss was anything but gentle-it was possessive.

Furious, Lemira bit his lip and slapped him hard. "Orion, you have a fiancée. Why are you messing with me?"

He froze. "I don't have a fiancée."

"Really? Then why did the tabloids say you and Ms. Sinclair are about to be engaged? How long were you planning to keep that from me?" Lentira's voice was icy Youte the Everhart heir, arent you?" find⁂novel.net

Orion's hand trembled slightly as he reached for her, but she stepped aside, avoiding his touch. His hand hung awkwardly in the air, unsure of what to do.

He stared at her, his voice hoarse. "I was going to tell you today, but you were so upset. I was afraid that if I told you, you'd be even angrier."

He hadn't expected Lemira to already know about his identity. That explained her strange behavior these past few days, He thought her anger was because he hadn't replied to her messages.

Lemira's gaze was sharp with sarcasm. "Do you really think telling me would change anything between us?"

Orion remembered asking her a similar question before, and her answer had been the same breakup.

Carefully, he responded, "There's no engagement with Sophia. It's always been my mom and the Sinclair family pushing for it. I've never agreed to it."

Lemira recalled Mrs. Amanda, Orion's mother, who had always been kind to her, But that day at Bistrova, Mrs. Amanda must Have known about her relationship with Orion.