Chapter 697

Thaddeus' eyelids were fiercely twitching. Jessamine's tone clearly indicated that she had no intention of furthering their relationship. Right now, her heart belonged only to her two children.

He could sense that she was avoiding the issue. Ultimately, it boiled down to her deep-seated inability to trust him.

Thaddeus sat beside her on the couch, his hands instinctively clasping in front of his knees.

"Jessie, I'm straightforward by nature and not good at sweet-talking girls. But now, I want to sincerely tell you that I've only liked one woman in my entire life, and that's you. Without you, there won't be anyone else. You're right. Life is short, and I don't want to settle."

Jessamine swallowed hard. "Thaddeus, you should be able to feel that I'm not mentally prepared for this."

"I know. I'm not forcing you to give me an answer right now. I just hope you'll seriously consider it instead of avoiding the issue."

What followed in the living room was a long and profound silence.

Je