Chapter 617

Amelia studied Jack for a moment before smiling.

"It's hard to believe you almost became my boyfriend. Now, you've built a billion- dollar company at such a young age."

Had it not been for all those verified news reports, she might have thought it was a dream. Life's unpredictability never ceased to amaze her.

Jack responded humbly, "Genesis Games' success was mostly luck."

"Really? You're being too modest." She shook her head before gazing at the city lights beyond the windows. "I watched your bell-ringing ceremony online. Do you know what my first reaction was?"

Jack waited, his eyes fixed on her.

"You've always been extraordinary. For the longest time, I lost sleep over 'what ifs' between us. But that night, seeing you in that tailored suit, leading your team, something clicked. The regret faded. All I felt was a tinge of regret and overwhelming happiness for you."

Amelia paused, her gaze drifting back to settle wistfully on Jack's face.

Those sharp features and enigmatic eyes had once captivated her. Yet now, though he stood within arm's reach, he felt as distant as the stars.

She continued, "You've become too extraordinary. I can never be your partner. Like one of those towering statues in ancient temples, I may worship from afar, but could never hope to possess."

A single tear traced its way down her cheek as she spoke. This was the highest praise she could offer, yet every word carried the weight of her resignation.

Some doors, once closed, could never be reopened.

Jack shifted uncomfortably, startled by how Amelia now perceived him.

Just then, Amelia made her final request. "Jack, would you grant me one last wish?"

Jack remained silent, but his attentive stillness urged her to continue.

She uttered, "Could you kiss me one last time? Let this be our farewell kiss, my liberation from your shadow."

Amelia believed she could embrace a new chapter after this. Otherwise, his memory would forever chain her heart.

She gazed at Jack hopefully, yearning for him to grant her this final wish. Yet, she was terrified that her plea might be too intimate for him to agree.

Jack hesitated. Something about this felt improper. Follow current novᴇls on FindN0vel.net

Amelia murmured, "Can't you grant me this one last wish?"

With that, she closed her eyes.

Remembering that he was single, Jack finally lowered his head, and their lips met.

He had intended only to brush her cheek with his lips, but Amelia suddenly rose on her toes. So, his lips found hers instead.

At that first contact, Jack was overwhelmed by an unexpected sweetness. Past betrayals faded into irrelevance against the intoxicating softness of her mouth.

Amelia, trembling with emotion, deepened the kiss with heartbreaking tenderness. Her lashes fluttered, and her teeth grazed his lip with just enough pressure to make his pulse stutter.

When they finally parted, she stepped back from his embrace, and her whisper was barely audible.