Chapter 22 1/1 Jason was caught off guard , stumbling back several steps as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth . " Stay away from her ! " Daniel stepped in front of Maya , his gaze sharp as a blade . His voice carried an undisguised warning . " Touch her again and I'm calling the police . " Jason wiped the blood from his mouth , his dark gaze shifting to Daniel before settling on Maya . Her expression remained calm , as if none of this concerned her . " I see … " Jason let out a cold laugh , complex emotions churning in his eyes . " So you left me because of him ? " Maya stood up , brushing nonexistent dust from her skirt , and said indifferently , " Don't think too highly of yourself , Jason Reid . I didn't leave you because of anyone else . " uru Jason's pupils contracted . He felt as if he had been punched squarely in the chest , making it hard to breathe . " Then why did you leave? We were … " " There is no ' we . " Maya cut him off , finally looking up at him with eyes cold as ice . " Jason , don't you already know ? Those three years I stayed by your side " Even ? " Jason's voice was almost a snarl . " Maya , do you really think ere only for money and freedom . Now the deal's over . We're even . ' " What else ? " She laughed lightly . There was no warmth in her eyes . we can be even ? " you Jason's face went deathly pale , as if he'd been stabbed . He opened his think I loved you ? " mouth but found himself speechless . She was right . She had never said she loved by bapa d 11 Even when he hurt her time and again , she had only endured it in silence , never showing she cared . Yet he had foolishly believed that her gentleness and patience came from love . " Maya , let's go . " Daniel put his arm around her shoulders . His voice was gentle , but his eyes were warily fixed on Jason . M Maya nodded and turned to leave . " Wait ! " Jason lunged forward to grab her wrist , but Daniel blocked him . " Mr. Reid , please control yourself . " Daniel's voice was cold as ice . Jason's gaze turned dangerously dark , his fists clenching audibly . " Who the hell are you to interfere in our business ? " defa " Our business ? " Maya finally turned back , her eyes filled with contempt . " Jason , have you forgotten ? Your Sophia is waiting for you to come back . " " There's nothing between her and me ! " Jason practically roared . " Those were all misunderstandings ! I can explain- " No need . " Maya cut him off , her tone terrifyingly calm . " What happens between you two has nothing to do with me . " She paused , her gaze turning completely cold . " Jason , I'll say this one last time . I never loved you . ' " Those words pierced his heart like a sharp blade . His breathing stopped abruptly , and he felt like he was sinking into an icy abyss . Maya didn't spare him another glance as she turned and walked away with Daniel . Her retreating figure was resolute and indifferent . It was as if they had never shared any connection at all . Jason stood frozen , watching her figure gradually disappear from view . His chest churned with unprecedented pain and rage . He couldn't believe it . He refused to believe she had never loved him . He refused to believe all that tenderness and devotion had been nothing but pretense . " Maya ! " He suddenly shouted at her retreating figure , his voice terrifyingly hoarse . " You think this is how it ends ? I'm telling you now that it's impossible ! " Maya's steps didn't falter for even a moment . She didn't even look back . Jason's fist slammed into a nearby tree trunk , his knuckles instantly bleeding . However , the pain in his hand was nothing compared to what tore through his heart . He stared fixedly in the direction she had gone , his expression dark and manic . " I won't let go … Never . "