Chapter 153

Samuel never imagined that after taking a flight home and arriving with weary, expectant eyes, he'd be met not with an embrace but with the cruel words "Let's break up." And she wanted to terminate the pregnancy.

His heart plummeted into a glacial abyss; his entire body went cold. He was a human; he could feel rage just like anyone else.

"I can deal with a pregnant woman's mood swings, so I'll disregard your words tonight. But let's talk when you're thinking clearly," Samuel said, the coldness visible in his demeanor as he turned to leave.

"I'm not being moody. In fact, I am quite clear," Layla hurried after him, her voice steady.

She couldn't put it off any longer; it was time to make a clean break. She doubted she'd have the courage to say it again.

"I've thought it through. The child I need to let it go too..." Layla said with difficulty, her hand instinctively touching her stomach, heart heavy with reluctance.

"This is my final decision. Please respect it."

"Respect?" Samuel's temple throbbed, veins surfacing. His hand was already on the door; his expression darkened, and with a "slam," he shut the door forcefully enough to make Layla flinch.

He turned back, fury blazing in his eyes. "So you decided to break up and end the pregnancy, but did you respect me when you made that choice?"

He stepped forward and grabbed her hand with urgency. "I have done everything in my power to be good to you. I never wronged you. What more do you want? Did you think my patience knows no bounds?"

"I..." Layla's lips parted, she stammered.

Her throat tightened, and her vision was blurry.

Even in his anger, he controlled the strength of his hands, careful not to hurt her.

No one had ever treated her as well as he did. It was her fault; he didn't deserve it.

Samuel was angry, yet he couldn't bear to see her tears.

This standoff was the last thing he wanted; he didn't want to lash out at her.

"I'm telling you, breaking up is out of the question. And ending the pregnancy is off the table! Think it over," he spat before releasing her hand and storming out, slamming the door behind him in a rush to leave before his anger grew.

Layla's knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground, covering her face as she began to cry.

Her heart felt like it was being torn apart.

Samuel descended the stairs.

The darkness of the night cloaked him like a heavy cloud, suffocating him.

He hadn't been this close to exploding in a long time.

The things he cared about the most were always the hardest to manage.

He couldn't help but glance back at the elevator with a cold, sarcastic smirk.

Was he still hoping she'd chase after him?

A tightness gripped his chest, unyielding.

"Hey, Samuel! What a coincidence?" A sleek, red Mercedes pulled up in front of him, and Nora Eilish stepped out.

Today, her makeup was more provocative than usual, and her dress showed her curves in a way that was a departure from Nora Eilish's typical blue-blood elegance. Yet it showcased her hourglass figure with such effect that it could drive any man wild.

But Samuel was undeterred, behaving as if she didn't exist.

"You look down, Holland," Nora called out. "There's a bar around the corner. Would you care to join me for a drink?"

"No need," Samuel replied curtly without breaking stride, accelerating his pace.

Nora Eilish was left feeling snubbed, her face etched with displeasure as she clutched the fabric of her dress. Dressing up for him, changing her style just to be met with his indifference, felt like a deep insult.

Yet, she was strong-willed, telling herself it was okay, that the road to victory mattered as long as she was the last one standing.

After all, the cracks in his relationship with Layla were already showing. Their split was just a matter of time. The sooner, the better.

...

Layla had a rough night.

With swollen eyes, she opened the door to find Samuel waiting outside, having arrived at some unknown time with breakfast in hand. "Morning," he greeted her with a weary smile.

Gone was his suit, replaced by a simple black shirt, the top button casually undone.

Pain washed over Layla anew, quickly masked by a veil of indifference.

"Why are you here again? We are done," she said coldly, making no move to invite him in.

Her blunt declaration was like pouring fuel on a fire. Samuel's headache from the night's hurt surged, but he restrained himself. "Haven't you cooled off yet?

"What will it take for you to calm down?"

"Samuel, are you deaf?" Layla snapped. "I broke up with you in full clarity, not on a whim."

Her tone carried a mix of disgust and repulsion-far from the endearing charm she once had. Her gaze, which used to sparkle when she looked at him, now held nothing but impatience.

As fed up with the inexplicable change, Samuel's temper flared as he grasped her wrist. "Layla, explain yourself-what is this all about?"

"I told you, it's not a tantrum. It's over!" she asserted.

His face turned steely as he said in a commanding tone, "I haven't agreed to it."

Layla frowned at him. "I don't need your agreement. Breaking up is unilateral; I say we're done, and we're done.

"Let go!"

With a twist of her wrist, Layla tried to pull away, but Samuel immediately yanked her closer. His strength was overwhelming, and she was petite; her whole body lifted, feet barely touching the floor, her forehead almost bumping his chin.

The man's dark eyelids only intensified the smoldering fury in his obsidian eyes, sending shivers down one's spine without the slightest touch of cold.

Layla was scared out of her wits, yet her pain trumped her fear now. It was her fault, and she had hurt him.

She apologized a thousand, ten thousand times in her heart, but her face had to feign cold indifference.

"Have I been too good to you? Get it straight; who are you talking to?"

Layla let out a bitter laugh, mocking him with her gaze. "What, you are going to pull rank on me with your CEO authority now? In your eyes, we were never equals. That's why I'm dumping you. I'm fed up."

Fed up? He had treated her like she was the center of his universe, and yet she felt they were unequal. Was she heartless?

If she truly thought that, then Samuel would be deeply disappointed. For the first time, he had given his all for a woman to no avail.

"Give me one good reason for the breakup."

"I've already told you. I don't want to repeat myself."

"Say it!"

Layla swallowed hard, her heart trembling fiercely.

"Your dreadful family, the gap between us, the pressure you place on me, and..."

"Enough, I don't want to hear these excuses!" Samuel barked, cutting her off. He wasn't sure why she suddenly wanted to break up, but he was certain it wasn't for these reasons.

"Tell me the real reason!"