He didn't answer.
He walked past me, so close that my breath hitched, until he reached the door. To my shock, he unlocked it and pulled it open.
I turned to look at him, disbelief flooding my face.
He gave me a bitter smile, his eyes dark as they met mine. "You are the woman I love," he said quietly. "But seeing you look at me like I'm a criminal… the way you flinch as if I'm about to hurt you—it hurts."
His voice softened. "I don't want you to be scared of me. I love you, Tang Xiyu. And I will prove it to you."
"I just want you to stay away from me," I said immediately, my voice firm despite the storm in my chest. "Stay away from me, Mo Yuzhen."
"I can't do that," he replied, shaking his head slowly. Then he smiled. "But trust me. From today onward, every single day, I'll prove my love to you."
I looked straight at him. "Then prove it by staying away from me."
"That's the only thing I can't do," he said gently.
He stepped back, clearing the doorway and giving me space.
