Clifford’s jaw tightened. “Are you aware that Lilibeth is my wife?”
“Is that so?” Magnus asked, looking at Lilibeth in mock surprise. “Why was I told that you and Beth are already divorced then?”
He lowered his head to kiss Lilibeth on the forehead, then said in an affectionate tone, “Your ex–husband is here to condemn you for adultery, Beth. What should we do?”
Lilibeth chuckled and glanced nonchalantly at Clifford. “He’s just my ex–husband. Why would his opinion matter?”
Clifford stepped forward to grab her wrist, feeling as if he was suffocating. “I didn’t agree to the divorce.”
He continued in a low voice that brooked no argument, “Come home with me. I’ll compensate you for everything that happened before.”
Lilibeth shook his hand off, her eyes filled with contempt. “Compensation, you say? Again? Do you think your so–called compensation is some kind of extravagant gift?” She sneered.” Perhaps, in the past, I would have been overjoyed, but now…!
She took a step backward and held Magnus‘ arm. I don’t like you anymore. You should probably go back to Tiffany. Don’t come and bother me.”
Clifford’s eyes darkened, and he explained with barely suppressed rage, “She and I have gone back to being siblings. In the future, we won’t ever-
“What does that have to do with me?” interjected Lilibeth. “I’m very happy with Magnus now.
Clifford narrowed his eyes and repeated slowly, “Magnus?”
Just then, someone spoke up jokingly from behind him. “Hey, what’s with the commotion?”
Lorenzo walked over to them unhurriedly, carrying two bottles of red wine.
His eyebrows shot up the moment he saw Clifford. A moment later, his expression darkened.” What are you here for?”
“I’m here to bring Beth home,” replied Clifford.
Lorenzo shrugged before saying deliberately, “But I’ve already introduced her to Magnus.”
Clifford finally lost his cool. “She’s your only sister! Are you that eager to go around
introducing her to other men?”
“The best way to forget a miserable relationship is to begin a new one,” Lorenzo replied pointedly. “That’s what you taught me.”
Feeling his chest fighten, Clifford lowered his voice and said, “What happened in the past was my fault.” He then looked at Lilibeth and said with a rare hint of pleading in his voice, “Come back with me.”
Lilibeth laughed. “Why must I go back with you? Have you fallen for me?”
Clifford was silent for a moment. Then, he said hesitantly, “I’m not sure, but I’m not used to not having you at home.”
Lilibeth suddenly let out a short bark of laughter. “Am I some sort of accessory? You’re not even certain whether you like me or not, and yet you’re so confident that I’ll go back with you.
She tightened her grip on Magnus‘ arm and said lightly, “Listen up, Clifford Sinclair. I don’t like you anymore, and I’m very happy with Magnus.
She turned and walked into the villa arm in arm with Magnus without sparing Clifford another
glance.
Clifford tried to go after her, only to be stopped by Lorenzo. “Hey, this is my house.”
“Magnus is a good enough friend to be granted entry, but I’m not?” he asked Lorenzo coldly. Can I not stay over a few days as a friend?”
Lorenzo smiled meaningfully at that. “You can, but…” He trailed off, lowering his voice before saying, “You’d better not regret it.”
Clifford frowned, not understanding what he meant.
However, as soon as he stepped into the living room, he froze on the spot. Magnus was feeding Lilibeth a strawberry on the couch.
“Have a taste, Beth. There we go.”
Lilibeth bit into the strawberry with a smile before smoothly feeding Magnus a grape in return. As the two of them took turns feeding each other, they ended up kissing again.
Clifford strode over quickly and pulled them apart. “Will it kill you not to kiss for one day?”
Lorenzo leaned against the doorframe. “They probably will. I forgot to tell you that they’re currently in a very passionate stage of their relationship, and Magnus has even moved in with us. The first sight that greets me when I come home every day is their public displays of
affection.”
He patted Clifford on the shoulder. “I told you you’ll regret it.”
Clifford’s chest heaved violently, but he couldn’t explain why he was
was so angry.
He grabbed Lilibeth’s wrist and snapped, “Stop throwing a tantrum and come home with me.”
Lilibeth shook him off again. “Did I not make myself clear, Clifford? Our divorce, my
Chapter 16
relationship with Magnus, and the fact that I won’t go back with you–all these things are real and true.”
Clifford could no longer suppress his anger. “You’ve liked me for six years! How can you have a change of heart so easily? How can you just begin a new relationship like it’s nothing? Did you think I’d believe you?
Sunlight filtered in through the floor–to–ceiling windows, lengthening the shadows of the three people currently in a standoff.
Lilibeth gently broke away from his grasp and sald with a terrifyingly calm expression,” You’re always so self–assured, Clifford. But do you know that love can die?”
