"Then, why …"

Larissa felt as if a foreign object was dislodged in her throat, making it difficult for her to even gulp, let alone speak.

She had to increase the rate of her breathing to cope with the suffocating feeling in her chest.

"I … " Gary dared not meet her gaze as he spoke in a voice that was barely audible, "I'm afraid that you'll hate me."

He had a despondent expression on his face and his words carried a trace of uncertainty.

Larissa stared at him intently.

Gary did not see