Sylvia’s POV: Finally, I plucked up the courage to take out my phone and tapped on the first number in
the contact book. My heart started to race.
The call connected after the first ring. Rufus’s pleasant voice sounded from the other end of the line.
“Sylvia, have you made it back to your dormitory?” He still sounded so gentle, as though nothing had
happened. Somehow, his soothing voice calmed me down. After some slight hesitation, I asked, “Did you
close the forum?”
Rufus sighed. “So you did see it. Sorry, I didn’t want you to know.” I couldn’t help but grasp the phone
tightly and asked in a slightly bitter voice, “Does it bother you? It’s true, the she-wolf in the pictures is me,
but I promise nothing happened between me and Warren. I managed to escape through the sky light.” I
was met with silence.
I became flustered. “Why aren’t you saying anything? What those netizens said, it’s all false. I would
never do such a thing,” Rufus interrupted me. “Come outside. I’ll wait for you at our spot.” Without waiting
for a response, he hung up the phone. The busy tone echoed in my ear like a siren, but I was too
shocked to put the phone down. Heart beating wildly, I immediately ran out of the dormitory. The
landscape by the side of the road was like a blur as I zipped past it. Finally, I arrived at our usual meeting
spot. Rufus was already there, waiting for me. The dim yellow street light couldn’t hide his dignified aura.
I suppressed my agitation and took a deep breath. Suddenly, I felt nervous, and my footsteps slowed
down.
“Rufus…” I walked slowly towards him. In the next second, I was pulled into his arms violently. I no
longer suppressed my feelings. I threw my hands around his neck and a lump formed in my throat. “Why
didn’t you leave—?” Rufus immediately pulled away from me and flicked my forehead with his finger. “If I
left, I was worried that some silly girl would overthink things again.”
I rubbed the spot he hit and pouted. “I wasn’t overthinking!” I argued defensively.
Rufus cast a sidelong glance at me and said, “You didn’t now, did you? Then why did you sound so guilty
when you called me just now? Don’t you trust me?”
“Of course I do!” I grabbed his hand tightly. “I was just a little panicked at the time.”
Rufus pulled my hand and pressed his lips against it. “Sylvia, no matter what happens, I’ll always trust
you. You’re the only one in my heart.”
Rufus’ words were like a blazing sun on a dreary winter day, making a flower bloom in my heart. I
lowered my head, unable to meet his gaze. Tears welled up in my eyes.
“Well, to be honest, I’m scared…”
“I understand.” Rufus pulled me into his arms again. He stroked my hair and said in a calm and gentle
voice, “Let’s make our relationship public, Sylvia. I don’t want to see you get hurt anymore. I’ll take care
of the things you’re afraid of. I love you so much that I can’t stand it anymore.” I didn’t reply to him
immediately. I buried my face in his chest for a long time before I finally said, “I love you just as deeply,
Rufus. And because of that, I can’t bear to stain your name because of me. I don’t want you to fight
against the whole world for me. I’ll be heartbroken. So give me some more time. Let me become
stronger.” “I don’t want you to be so tired all the time,” Rufus whispered, breaking my heart. “I’m not tired
at all,” I said bravely. “I’m willing to do anything for you. We need to follow the original plan and keep our
mate bond a secret. As for the rumors, just let them be. I only care about how you feel about me. As long
as you trust me, I don’t care what others say.” I wriggled out of Rufus’s arms and kissed his lips.
“Because I love you, I have the courage to face all of this.”
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