Billionaire's Betrayal: My Ex Beg Me To Love Him Again
Chapter 0040

Chapter 0040

Caroline's POV:

I could only stare at Martin in utter disbelief. His sudden confession had completely blown me away. When had Martin fallen in love with me?

Martin was a kind soul who had done inore for me than I could ever know. I treasured our friendship more than anything, and I wished that I could one day help him as much as he had helped me throughout the years.

As beautiful as our friendship was, however, I only saw him as just that: a friend. I truly believed that what we had was special, and I loved him dearly, but I just didn't love him in the way he wanted.

Had I somehow given him the wrong impression? I wracked my brain, trying to see where I could have accidentally led him on, but my mind drew a blank. Everything was all so overwhelming. I'd never had a man confess to me with such passion before, but I just didn't feel the same way as he did.

His eyes were so full of expectation, hoping that I might just return his feelings. I didn't know how to react, but I knew what my heart wanted, and it didn't beat for Martin. I appreciated him endlessly, but I couldn't accept his feelings. If I did, I would be cheating him out of the chance to be with someone who truly loved him the way he deserved.

"Martin..." I murmured softly. "I'm flattered, I really am, but... I don't feel the same way. I appreciate all you've done for me, but I just don't love you as anything more than a friend."

I could see his features sag with sadness and disappointment. I tried to mitigate the damage, but I knew I had hurt him deeply. "Martin, I just lost my baby and got divorced," I reminded him. "I'm not ready to move on just yet. You can understand that, can't you?" Martin mustered up a smile for me, remaining optimistic as he tried to win my heart again. " Caroline, I have had a special affection for you since we were kids," he confessed. "I didn't know what it was at the time, but after all the time I've spent with you now, I know for sure that what I feel is love. I want to be with you for the rest of your life, and I promise to-"

He abruptly stopped speaking when he saw me shake my head, his face overcome with hurt." Martin," I murmured, "what you feel might not even be love. It's just... sympathy."

Martin looked so crushed as I continued to speak. "You're a good man. Young, handsome, successful; please don't waste your time on me. It's not worth it. If you really insist, though... Maybe I should rethink our friendship. Please, don't put me in such a tough spot." My friend, though steeped in sadness, understood my hard decision. "I see," he said, setting down the flowers. "I... apologize if my behavior may have come off as irrational. We can still be friends, though, okay? Only friends."

Although he smiled at me, it felt bitter. I know I had hurt him with my rejection, but I couldn't

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Chapter 0040

bear to think about lying to him. Sorrow lingered in his eyes, but I had no other choice. He was such a kind soul, but he needed to know the truth

"Of course," I replied softly, gingerly taking his hand in mine and giving it a comforting squeeze. "We're still friends, and I wouldn't change that for the world."

Martin's smile was a little more real this time around, and that made me happyY

He got to his feet, but he clearly got up too quickly, because he fell forward with a yelp and fell onto me. I shrieked in surprise and covered my body. Thankfully, he was quick-thinking and stopped himself just before he could land on me, causing the both of us to sigh in relief. "Oh my God, are you alright?"

After diligently checking to see that I hadn't been hurt anywhere, I giggled at the ridiculousness of it all. "I'm alright," I assured him. "Maybe just a little startled, but I'm alright."

"Oh, good," he sighed, laughing to help ease his embarrassment. I quickly reassured him with a pat on the arm, because I knew that what had happened was just a funny accident. "Sorry about that. I guess I lost my balance there."

"I understand," I assured him. "Just as long as you're alright, too."

ben

An awkward tension filled the air because of how close we were. The closeness was greatly uncomfortable and I needed some space. Before I could gently push him away, though, I heard the door slam open. "Caroline! Are you seriously flirting with another man? Even in the hospital? Are you shameless?"