Chapter 708

Ronnie's jaw dropped. "Wait, you're pregnant, and it ain't mine?"

Juniper shot back, "Get outta here. You're the one who's pregnant!"

"Yeah, right. Someone's still a virgin, waiting for me to make the first move."

"You need a smack." Juniper always wanted to knock out his loose-talking teeth. "I got something serious to tell you, but it's no biggie, just regular stuff."

"Why you trippin' over something so basic? Must be bad. Spill it." Ronnie took a swig of his drink.

Juniper fumbled, trying to play it cool, but it was tough. After what felt like forever, she finally blurted out, "I'm going on a business trip with Anthony to Aikosta for three days tomorrow."

She finally got it all out in one breath.

Ronnie's hand froze mid-air.

Even though he kinda guessed it had to do with Anthony from her sketchy vibe, it still hit him hard.

Felt like a sledgehammer to the chest.

"Say no!" Ronnie demanded.

"How can I? I'm the secretary, he's the boss."

"Then quit!" Ronnie's tone left no room for debate.

Juniper sighed, "I haven't decided if I'm quitting yet."

"Then use this chance to quit. Stop overthinking it."

Juniper replied, "Let me think about it. I don't wanna rush. I'm doing well at my job now..."

"Juniper, you know if it's the job or Anthony you can't let go of." Ronnie stared right into her eyes, into her soul, making Juniper's guilt impossible to hide.

Sure, there were work reasons, but Anthony weighed more.

She'd been torn, hating herself for it, but couldn't help it.

Ronnie asked, "You know what this trip means?"

"Isn't it just a business trip? It's work."

"You think it's that simple?" Ronnie sneered, "If it was, you wouldn't be scared to tell me. It means you two will be alone for three days. You know what can happen in three days?"

"What do you think will happen? You think I'm gonna jump into his bed the first chance I get?" Juniper was getting heated.

"I don't know..." Ronnie said honestly.

Juniper was pissed. "So you think I'm that easy!"

Ronnie replied, "No, it's not that I think you're easy, but people lose control when emotions run high. If you can't control yourself, you should stay away from him and cut his influence on you."

Juniper knew he was right. Staying away was the quickest fix.

But if everyone did what they knew was right, the world would be chill, and there wouldn't be so many people suffering and dying for love.

She always thought she was decisive, could see things clearly. But when it came to true love, every woman was the same; none could cut off the pain cleanly and say they didn't love anymore.

'Juniper, you're just an ordinary, indecisive coward. I despise you,' she thought to herself.

"Juniper, I know no matter what I say today, I can't change your mind. Even if I threatened to off myself in front of you, you'd still go. I tell you how much I suffer, how much I care, and how worried I am about you, but you won't listen. You'll only regret it after getting hurt." Ronnie smiled bitterly.

Juniper went quiet. Honestly, this was her business, and she hadn't even agreed to date Ronnie. But she wasn't heartless. Ronnie had been really good to her. Even if it was just for a short time, she could tell he was giving it his all, and she...

So she felt guilty towards him.

She knew he genuinely cared about her, and she was making a mistake now.

She couldn't guarantee that nothing would happen between her and Anthony.

But after all the back and forth, she still chose to go. It wasn't like she had no choice; she chose to go on the business trip herself.

She felt like such a jerk. Even if Hera slapped her, she wouldn't have anything to say. She deserved it.

Seeing her pained expression, Ronnie couldn't help but feel sorry for her. He patted her head. "Alright. Since you've decided, don't stress about it. Just go. See how things play out."

Hearing this, Juniper felt even more guilty, biting her lip. "I'm sorry..."

Those three words made Ronnie feel even worse. "If you don't wanna be sorry, then don't do things that'll make you sorry."

They didn't talk much after that. Juniper didn't know what to say, feeling guilty, and Ronnie didn't want to talk, feeling down. He wanted to joke around to lighten the mood, but he couldn't.

When he dropped her off downstairs, he didn't say a word.

Juniper hesitated, glanced at him. Seeing he didn't speak, she said softly, "Then I'm going up. Good night."

"Good night." Ronnie replied.

After Juniper went inside, Ronnie punched the front seat hard. "Damn it!"

The driver was startled; he had felt the tension earlier.

Ronnie laughed at himself. Since when did he let a woman mess with his head?

He knew that if he just slept with her, Juniper would be his. But he couldn't bring himself to hurt her and didn't want to force the first woman he ever loved in his life like that.

He didn't want her to hate him even more.

Juniper went upstairs and started packing. Since she had to bring some documents, she took a suitcase.

When she realized she was picking out pretty clothes, a strong sense of shame hit her.

Juniper thought, 'What am I doing? Trying to seduce Anthony? I'm really despicable! My own family was destroyed by a mistress, so I hate mistresses, yet I'm doing the same thing. Juniper, how did you become the person you despise the most? Despise yourself.'

Her heart was suddenly in turmoil, with an impulse to quit immediately, leave this city, escape to Libertonia, and never see Anthony again.

She believed that as long as she put some distance and didn't see him, she would give up on him and slowly forget him.

But all of this, reason, determination, ultimately couldn't defeat her strong, or rather, despicable love for Anthony.

'Juniper, you're throwing yourself into hell.' Juniper said to herself.

On the other side.

Mira returned to her apartment, feeling very upset.

She angrily grabbed a pillow and started hitting the sofa to vent.

But the more she vented, the angrier she got, because she couldn't do anything, just getting angry with herself here, feeling useless!

She had been cooped up at home recovering for three days, while Juniper could accompany Anthony on a business trip, which should have been hers!

Thinking about them being together day and night, and definitely having sex at night, Mira was about to go crazy.

Just then, her phone rang.