Chapter 958 - 498: If That Day Comes, You Must Let Me Leave on My Own

"Have you?" Avery Jane’s tone sounded as if she was asking a question, yet the answer was already clear in her heart.

Before her, what was Joshua Hughes really like? Did those women truly mean nothing more than toys to him?

"Before you, did I have any men? Don’t lie to me." Avery’s eyes gradually grew cold and clear, a faint mist rising, obscuring her thoughts and concealing her once pure heart.

"No, I was the first, and will be the only one." Joshua Hughes’s tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt. He was certain of this and had no need to deceive her.

"Joshua Hughes, can you promise me something?" Avery turned to look at Joshua, asking him for a privilege, a privilege that could momentarily ease her heart.

:"What is it?" Joshua’s heart ached faintly, uncertain of what she was about to say. Yet, this request was undoubtedly something he’d rather not agree to. However, she’d chosen the perfect moment, leaving him no choice but to concede. His Avery was gradually maturing, learning how to protect herself and negotiate at the opportune moment. Could he refuse today? Whatever she asked today, he had to comply.

:"If one day, if one day, Joshua Hughes, you deceive me, then you must let me choose whether to stay or leave." Avery looked at his profile, his chiseled features were as sharp as ever. But behind that handsome and alluring face, what was he hiding?

She was clearly aware that their past was far from simple, but she dared not guess, nor did she want to. She chose to interact with him in this time when she couldn’t recall the past, even if one day she had to leave, at least she could hold onto some memories.

Joshua’s face suddenly stiffened to the extreme. She was implying something, her words nearly plunged him into an abyss with no return. Looking at the road ahead, it seemed as if the smooth path had turned into quicksand, which would soon engulf everything, and he was about to be swallowed by it, feeling the fine sand suffocating him, seeping through his nasal passages, he was on the brink of losing his breath.

:"Can you promise me?" Avery spoke softly, a gentle smile emerging on her lips, her gaze remained clear. It struck Joshua’s heart with intense pain, so very painful...

Joshua’s handsome face was as pale as paper, looking at the woman beside him, clearly sensing her tenderness and strength. She was such a peculiar existence, she encompassed him, making him think she might have a tiny bit of affection for him. But when she spoke of leaving today, she was so adamant, like a small, crystal-clear block of ice that wouldn’t melt.

His thick eyelashes fluttered once. He leaned down, mingling his shallow breath with hers. How could he let her choose for herself if one day she learned of everything he had done to her? He knew her temperament well; it was likely that for the rest of her life, she wouldn’t want to see him, not even hearing his name without feeling disgusted. These were the harshest words she’d spoken since she lost her memory and forgot the past. In the past, she would get angry but never considered leaving. This thought had long been in her mind and was only now expressed.

:"Joshua Hughes, was I not clear enough? I’m merely saying, if one day, I find out you deceived me, I just want the right to choose whether to stay or leave." Avery looked at the man, witnessing the dominance and allure of one who stood at the pinnacle of power and wealth. Joshua looked at her eyes—it was clearly spring, and the weather was gradually warming, yet he felt as if he was in an icy cellar, his heart and limbs turning numb with cold, chilling him to the core.

He wasn’t stupid, he understood perfectly well; he simply couldn’t agree. He told her he loved her, he was tender with her, he wanted to fulfill her every need, yet he just couldn’t promise this request—it was too cruel for him.

This time, Avery retreated not at all, looking at him clearly. Her eyes were as pure as water without the slightest impurity, and every second he gazed into them, it felt like a sharp pain, akin to the sharpest awl piercing his heart, more agonizing than any of the terrible wounds he had ever suffered.