Page 29 of The Rancher's Second-Choice Wife

Why was Poppy's trust in him absolute while his own girlfriend of eight years hadn't hesitated to throw him away at the first sign of trouble?

Why was Poppy still by his side when the rest of the world had already written him off?

It just didn't make fucking sense at all.

The cynic in him was convinced it was only a matter of time before Poppy revealed her true colors, and that she, too, would choose to leave him.

"Eight am tomorrow," he heard himself say.

But there was that other part of him...

"I don't understand..."

It was a part of him that Valerian didn't know existed until this moment.

"I can book you an 8AM flight tomorrow. Will you come to me?"

"Y-Yes."

"I'll see you then."

"O-Okay?"

Valerian hung up without saying goodbye.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

He couldn't believe how hard his heart was pounding, and all for a girl whom he had largely ignored for eight months.

I like her.

The words felt like they were about to burst from that secret part of him.

I like her.

If Camelia were still his girlfriend, Valerian's honor would have made sure this part of him remained buried deep in his subconscious.

I like her.

If Camelia were still his girlfriend, he would've spent the rest of his life never knowing that Poppy had stolen a piece of his heart...from the first time their eyes met.

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