Wealthy Love Snatch: The Shameless Ex-Wife

Chapter 28: How Could It Be Him

The kiss from earlier lingered in Liang Xiaoluo's mind, a memory that had momentarily made her believe Nan Shaojie had finally accepted her feelings. She had pushed him away, convinced of her own unworthiness. But now, to hear that she was merely a substitute for his fiancée, Mengya—it was like a dagger plunged into her heart.

A cold, self-deprecating laugh escaped her lips, her voice trembling. "Mengya? So it's Mengya…"

"Xiaoluo, I'm sorry!" Nan Shaojie apologized, his voice heavy with guilt, but he could only continue to lie.

He loved her deeply, yet he lacked the courage to admit it.

Xiaoluo raised her head, her smile even more bitter now. "Yes, I suppose I forgot. You're engaged to Mengya, aren't you? You even introduced her to me. How could I have been so foolish?"

The memory of that introduction resurfaced—so vivid it felt like yesterday. How had she managed to delude herself?

Shattered Hopes

"Xiaoluo!" Nan Shaojie's heart ached as if pierced by countless needles. The pain was suffocating, his breaths shallow and labored.

He longed to pull her into his arms, to confess that she was the only one he had ever loved, that no one could take her place in his heart. But he hesitated, weighed down by his own fears and responsibilities.

"This isn't your fault. It's mine," Xiaoluo whispered through her tears, her voice trembling as she choked on her emotions. "I was the shameless one, trying to seduce you. It's all my fault."

"No, Xiaoluo—" Nan Shaojie reached out, but she slapped his hand away, her rejection sharp and absolute.

"Don't touch me!" she cried, her voice cracking as she broke down completely. Tears streamed down her face, stripping away any semblance of dignity she had left.

In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to disappear from the world.

"Forgive me, Xiaoluo…" Nan Shaojie's voice was raw with anguish.

But before he could reach her, Xiaoluo suddenly dove headfirst into the lake. The water swallowed her whole, and the sound of her entry echoed in the silence.

"Xiaoluo!" Nan Shaojie shouted, his panic overtaking all reason as he plunged into the lake after her.

He knew she couldn't swim. He couldn't let her die—he had vowed to protect her. But now, he had failed her so completely that she chose death to escape him.

A Desperate Rescue

Nearby, Bingya immediately leaped from his boat to assist, his instincts sharp. Together, they managed to pull Xiaoluo from the water, her limp body barely clinging to life.

Nan Shaojie laid her on the grass and began compressions on her chest, interspersing them with breaths of artificial respiration. "Come on, Xiaoluo… Breathe!" he urged, his voice frantic.

Finally, Xiaoluo coughed violently, expelling water from her lungs. Her chest heaved as she gasped for air, her consciousness slowly returning.

Cold Distance

As her vision cleared, she saw Nan Shaojie hovering over her, his face etched with worry. But instead of the warmth she used to feel, her heart remained cold.

"Xiaoluo, are you okay? Tell me where it hurts. I'll take you to the hospital," Nan Shaojie said, his voice shaking with urgency.

Xiaoluo stared at him, her face devoid of emotion. She could still hear his earlier words echoing in her mind—"I thought you were Mengya."

"Thank you for saving me. I'm fine," she replied, her tone detached as she pushed his hands away. With unsteady legs, she stood, though her body wavered.

She wasn't fine. Far from it.

Nan Shaojie watched her, his hands twitching, wanting to help but unable to bridge the gap she had drawn between them.

"Let me…" he started, but her cold glare silenced him. He clenched his fists, his frustration mounting.

Xiaoluo stumbled forward, her steps faltering but determined. Her soaked clothes clung to her body as the wind bit at her skin. Each step she took was a declaration of her resolve to leave him behind.

A Painful Goodbye

"Why are you following me?" she suddenly demanded, turning to face him. Her voice was raw, her eyes filled with despair. "Do you enjoy watching me like this? Is this how you want to punish me? Just let me go!"

Her words were a plea, a desperate cry for the last shred of her dignity.

Nan Shaojie froze, her despair cutting through him like a blade. "Xiaoluo…" he began, but his voice faltered.

Their eyes locked, hers filled with pain and his clouded with helplessness. Finally, Xiaoluo turned and walked away, her silhouette growing smaller with each step.

Shadows in the Rain

As the rain began to pour, Xiaoluo trudged through the streets, her body trembling from the cold and exhaustion. She had no destination in mind, no plan, only the hope that she could walk far enough to leave her pain behind.

From his car, Nan Shaojie watched her, his chest tightening with every stumble she made. He wanted to run to her, to hold her, but he feared his presence would only deepen her wounds.

"Should I—" Bingya began.

"No," Nan Shaojie interrupted, his voice sharp. His eyes never left Xiaoluo.

He couldn't stop her, but he could protect her—from a distance.

Danger Lurks

Unbeknownst to them, another car was following. Inside, a man sat in the backseat, his expression unreadable. "Should we intervene?" his driver asked.

The man's gaze lingered on Xiaoluo's frail figure as rain blurred the windows. After a moment, he replied, "Not yet."

The tension in the air was palpable as Xiaoluo entered an unlit alley, her movements slow and unsteady. Nan Shaojie's car stopped at a distance, his instincts screaming that something wasn't right.

Several men emerged from the shadows, their intentions clear in their predatory glares.

"Who are they?" Bingya asked, stepping out of the car and preparing to fight. His voice was calm, but his fists clenched tightly.

Nan Shaojie didn't answer. He was already moving, his resolve unshakable as he rushed toward Xiaoluo.

"Xiaoluo!" he called, but his path was immediately blocked by several burly men.

"Get out of my way!" Bingya barked, his voice filled with fury as he positioned himself protectively in front of Nan Shaojie.

The tension in the alley exploded as the first punch was thrown.