When Levis snatched his hand away, Robert's entire world tilted. He stood stunned, the magnificent Stuar ring clutched in his hand.
"Ah... I can't... I can't," Levis mumbled, tears welling in his eyes. He couldn't articulate that he cannot break the promise of marrying Bright and risk causing emotional distress or instability to Stella, even for his crush, Robert.
"What can't you do?" Robert asked, his voice low and dangerously confused. "Can't you accept my proposal? After what happened in the hospital?"
Levis's eyes were full of pain. "How should I explain this? I want to... but I can't." He sighed, the conflict tearing him apart.
Robert stood up slowly, watching Levis's expression shift from desire to fear. He jumped to the only logical conclusion that would explain the fear. "Is that because of Bright Aro?"
