chapter569

"Yes."

Karen didn't think twice before nodding. This was a blind date set up by her parents, and even if she wasn't interested, she felt obligated to show up.

In the next second, Jeffrey’s expression shifted from irritation to outright fury. He blocked her path, his presence looming over her in the confined space of the car.

Instinctively, Karen tried to push past him, but he caught her wrists, grounding her in place.

"What the hell are you doing, Jeffrey?!"

"You made a promise to me, Karen. You can't just walk away to meet some stranger and expect me to be okay with it!"

Panic and anger surged through her as she struggled against his grip. "I changed my mind! My life is my own, Jeffrey!"

"I didn't agree to that," he hissed, his voice dropping to a dangerous low.

Jeffrey had reached the end of his patience. He had tried to provide solutions, had tried to stay calm, but her stubborn refusal to acknowledge their history was driving him to the edge. The sight of her dressed up for someone else felt like a personal insult.

"Jeffrey, you’re acting out of your mind! Let go of me!"

"I gave you a fair chance to talk this out," he replied, his grip firm but careful not to truly hurt her.

God knew how he had to grit his teeth and clench his fists just to stay composed during their conversation earlier. He was trying to understand her, trying to avoid a blow-up, but her defiance was making it impossible.

Pinned against the seat by his intense gaze and firm hold, Karen felt a wave of frustration and overwhelming emotion. She was tired of this constant tug-of-war with him.

"Let me go, Jeffrey. This isn't how you handle things."

"I'm not letting you go until you listen," he countered, his weight leaning in closer, trapping her in his shadow.

The tension in the car was suffocating. They were two stubborn people, both refusing to back down, their emotions teetering on a precarious edge.

After what felt like an eternity of silent, heated confrontation, Jeffrey finally loosened his grip on her wrists. The silence that followed was heavy.

"Are you still going on that date?" he asked, his voice still defiant but laced with a hint of exhaustion.

Karen didn't want to answer. She pushed against his chest, her heart thudding painfully against her ribs.

"You’re impossible, Jeffrey! Do you even know what respect is? You think you can just force your way into my decisions?" Her voice broke, and tears finally began to stream down her face. "You act like you own me, but if we keep going like this, we’re both just going to end up miserable."

Her remaining protests were cut short when Jeffrey suddenly leaned in, his lips seeking hers in a desperate, silencing kiss. It wasn't a kiss of affection, but one of raw, unresolved conflict and possessiveness.

"Mmm! Jeffrey... stop!"

He finally pulled away, his eyes bloodshot and filled with a mix of regret and stubbornness.

"I told you before," he whispered, his forehead resting against hers. "We aren't done yet. Not by a long shot."