Chapter 71 Undeserving of Forgiveness
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Chapter 71 Undeserving of Forgiveness
Rosalie listened and let out a bitter laugh.
It was truly absurd. Camelia clearly knew better than anyone that Lucian had searched for the blue diamond because Rosalie had been trying to collect every color of gemstone, and the purest blue was the
only one missing.
In her previous life, the blue diamond had arrived in her hands as a birthday gift on this very day.
And now, this raw gem, which should have been sharp and full of edges, had been smoothed and polished, its brilliance tamed, and it rested gracefully on Camelia’s finger.
She thought, “What a waste.”
Rosalie tugged at the corner of her mouth, her tone distant and mocking. “No need to show off. He gave it to you, so wear it. Are you afraid I’ll take it from you?”
Lucian’s brows instantly furrowed, and he spoke with displeasure, “Rosalie, Melia was only trying to explain things to you kindly, worried you might misunderstand. Why are you being so sarcastic?”
He stepped forward, shielding Camelia behind him, his eyes filled with disappointment and reproach.
“If it weren’t for Melia’s kindness, always treating you as a friend and insisting I come celebrate your birthday, do you really think I’d be here?”
Rosalie scoffed. “Do you really need to explain it to me? This blue diamond-who else could it be from if
not you?
“Is she being so defensive because she fears I’ll take her diamond, or because she fears I’ll take… her
man?”
Camelia’s eyes reddened with panic as she waved her hands. “Rosalie, don’t misunderstand. It’s all my
fault.
“I just blurted it out when I saw you staring at the ring. You know me-I’m straightforward and never hide
anything.”
“You don’t need to keep explaining yourself!” Rosalie cut her off coldly, her irritation barely contained.
“Camelia, any normal person would know to stay away after stealing someone else’s fiance.” She glared at her in disgust. “Every time you keep justifying yourself like this-what else is it if not shameless!”
The words had barely left her mouth when Lucian suddenly raised his hand and slapped Rosalie across the face. After striking her, he froze, his hand still suspended in midair as he stared at his palm in disbelief.
Rosalie’s head snapped to the side from the blow, her ears ringing, leaving her momentarily dazed.
“Lucian, what are you doing?” Camelia grabbed him, as if afraid he would strike again. “How could you hit
Chapter 71 Undeserving of Forgiveness
Rosalie! She was just venting her anger at me. I don’t mind!”
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She glanced anxiously at Rosalie and added, “I’m sorry, Rosalie. I really didn’t expect you to think that way about me… I just wanted us to be like old friends again, to make up for the mistakes I made when I couldn’t control my own feelings.
“No matter how much you dislike me, no matter how you insult me, in my heart, you will always be second. The first… can only be Lucian.”
Rosalie slowly turned her head back. She smiled, but tears streamed down her face in heavy, uncontrollable drops. Her skin now bore a bright red handprint on one side, swollen and striking.
She stood there, smiling through her tears. She looked at the couple before her and felt an unfamiliar, unprecedented sense of estrangement.
In her previous life, Lucian had been such a gentleman, so gentle and considerate. Even in intimate moments, he had always been careful not to hurt her.
But now, for Camelia, he had struck her. This was the first time in both lives that he had ever laid a hand
on her.
The slap burned painfully, shattering the last shred of warmth she had ever felt for him, along with the faint, almost laughable traces of resentment and grievance.
Nothing remained… Only hatred.
When Lucian saw the smile and tears on Rosalie’s face and the rapidly swelling handprint, he felt his heart jolt.
He instinctively stepped forward, his voice trembling. “Rosalie, I’m sorry. I… I didn’t mean it. It’s just… what you said to Melia was too harsh.”
He rushed to explain again, as if trying to distance himself, but more like he was defending Camelia behind him. “Melia really wants to make things right with you. What would it take for you to forgive her? I can’t bear to see her hurt because of you.”
The hatred in Rosalie’s eyes was almost tangible.
“Get out!” she spat through gritted teeth, summoning every ounce of strength in her body. “You will never deserve my forgiveness!”
