Chapter 24 Suddenly , Gavin's pupils uncontrollably constricted , and it was only then that he realized Cecilia's determination to break up . Everything he had taken for granted was now denied . They had known each other for 18 years , and he understood her deeply . It was precisely because he understood her that Gavin realized , this time , she had truly broken free from his control . The complex , tangled emotions piled up in his chest , leaving Gavin speechless . He didn't want to believe it , trying to comfort himself by thinking that Cecilia must have been pretending . After a brief moment of silence , Cecilia left the café . The cool night breeze blew , making her feel a sense of relief . +15 At that moment , Henry seized the opportunity to pass her his phone again . " Ms. Jordan , let's add each other on WhatsApp . " Cecilia didn't refuse , but she told him , " Mr. Quinn , I don't think we're suited to develop further , and we probably won't meet again in the future . " Henry felt disappointed . He added her on WhatsApp but was rejected . Cecilia turned to leave , and her gaze flicked toward the café inside . Through the glass , Gavin's tall figure stood in the light , his angry and determined eyes locked onto her . Cecilia furrowed her brows slightly , then turned and walked away . A few minutes later , Gavin blocked Henry's car at the parking lot exit . Henry , completely caught off guard , asked , " What are you doing ? " Gavin's figure was hidden in the shadows as he quickly walked toward Henry , grabbing his collar and slamming him against the nearby railing . His eyes narrowed , and his voice was cold and menacing . " Who do you think you are , daring to go on a blind date with my girlfriend? " At that moment , Henry was so scared that his legs wobbled , but he still tried to argue . " What do you mean ? Cecilia said you were her ex . She has nothing to do with you anymore . " Gavin looked down with a sinister smile and threatened , " Anything I want is mine . You added her on WhatsApp and even plan to meet her again ? I'll make sure you know your place and that you're not worthy of fighting me for her ! " With that , Gavin swung his fist , landing a heavy blow to Henry's abdomen . Henry screamed in pain after taking two punches . " Stop it ! " Cecilia ran back , her anger rising at the sight of Gavin about to hit Henry again . She rushed forward , grabbing Gavin's arm with force to stop him . " Mr. Quinn , I'm sorry . " She felt responsible for dragging Henry into this situation . Henry , clutching his stomach , said nothing , and turned to run away . At that moment , Gavin suddenly grabbed Cecilia's hand . " Cecilia , you wouldn't let me touch you these past few days , but 1/3 94 % X +15 Chapter 24 now , for some blind date guy , you've come to me willingly ." Cecilia immediately yanked her hand free from Gavin's grip . She stood in his way , watching as Henry drove off . Gavin's hand , still hovering in the air , trembled with fury . His eyes fixed on Cecilia , barely concealing his rage . " You broke up with me just to go on a blind date with a man like this ? " Cecilia , your taste in men is terrible . Do you really think he's worthy of you ? Won't you regret settling for a man like him ? " At that moment , the two of them finally tore apart their broken relationship . " I didn't realize it before , but now I know my taste in men is terrible , " Cecilia responded coolly , not looking at Henry , but staring straight at Gavin . Suddenly , Gavin seemed to snap , and his anger surged . " So you defend him ? Is that how quickly you've fallen for him after one blind date ? Now that you're away from me , are you already eager to find someone new ? " His words were venomous , and his fury seemed to escalate . Gavin backed Cecilia into a corner , closing the distance between them , and asked , " What does he have that I don't ? Is he better than me in bed ? " Gavin's jealousy was obvious . He spoke recklessly , pressing her with relentless questions . Without warning , Cecilia slapped Gavin . The sound of the slap echoed loudly in the empty parking lot , feeling jarring . " Gavin , stop losing your mind here ! " Her fingers trembled slightly from the intensity of the slap , though her voice remained composed . She wasn't just angry that Gavin was humiliating her , but also that he was tainting the genuine emotions she once had for him . Gavin stood frozen for a moment , the sting of the slap slowly spreading across his face . " Did I say something wrong ? Are you so eager to date a man ? Isn't it just because you're lonely ? " He ran his tongue over the inside of his cheek , the taste of blood still lingering . Gavin suddenly became excited , a sinister smile spreading across his face . " Cecilia , after all these years , we just break up like that , but you're already protecting a man you barely know ? Don't kid yourself . No one can compare to me ! " His words were an attempt to provoke her , to get her to deny it , but Cecilia's silence seemed like an affirmation , only pushing him further into his fury . " We have nothing to do with each other anymore . " Cecilia said . She had no intention of wasting another minute on him . With Henry safely gone , she had no reason to stay . " Cecilia , isn't our relationship deep enough ? " Gavin snapped , his anger palpable as he stepped closer , blocking her way . His voice grew sharper , more forceful . " I've never allowed another man near you . I've always protected you because you belong to me . I don't share , and I won't start now . You have no other choice but me . " As he spoke , he moved closer , and the scent of her perfume reached him . Her presence tangled with his breath , making it hard for him to control both his emotions and desires . " Cecilia , I've never lost before . You can't escape my control . I want you back by my side ." 2/3 94 % 0 - X +15 Chapter 24 The intensity of Gavin's possessiveness and control was suffocating . His eyes locked onto hers, filled with a burning fire that seemed like chains , attempting to bind her tightly to him . In that moment , Cecilia stared back at Gavin , feeling a surge of fear she hadn't expected . The sweet memories of their first love and years together were still fresh in her mind , but now , the love she once cherished was being destroyed by his own hands . " Gavin , what do you take me for ? Am I just another one of your possessions , like your clothes or your watch ? " Cecilia's voice was laced with bitter sarcasm . " I've never been your accessory . Whether I'm with you or not , I'm just Cecilia ." She let out a self - mocking laugh . " But thank you , Gavin . You've helped me see the truth about you . Everything - our memories , everything we had - should be left behind , as far away as possible . " " I'm unworthy ? " Gavin's anger reached a breaking point , his voice a twisted scream . " I'm unworthy of your love all these years ? Then what about you ? What about you , Cecilia ? " His rage was explosive , and it was all because of her leaving him . " If you didn't love me , why would you give up your chance to go abroad just to stay with me ? Why would you live with me ? " Why would you prepare your wedding dress , waiting for me to marry you ? Cecilia , all of this proves that you love me too much , " Gavin said . 3/3