Summoning immense courage, Melissa seized Marcus' arm and pleaded, "Marcus, do you still want me?"

Marcus fixed his gaze on Melissa.

Eventually, a chuckle escaped him, as if he found a joke amusing.

He countered, "Why should I desire someone so fickle? Why would I want someone harboring feelings for another man? Am I_ that unpretentious? Or are you in financial straits again, Miss Brown?"

Sporting a refined smile, he added, “Apologies, but I'm not in the mood today. I have no interest in purchasing a woman."

Nonchalantly glancing at with the takeout bag she was holding, containing his favorite food, he maintained a placid demeanor. He remarked, "You excel at charming others, but you're misdirecting your efforts this time."

He proceeded to take the bag and casually discard it into a nearby trash can.

Refusing to release him, Melissa gripped his arm firmly, pleading cautiously, "Can we talk, please?"

Marcus bowed his head, his gaze falling to where Melissa's fingers clung to his arm.

Perhaps it was the chill in his eyes that made Melissa recoil.

Yet, gathering her courage, she spoke up again.

“Marcus, please. Can we talk? Just half an hour, or maybe just ten minutes."

Her voice laced with humility.

Marcus, however, was beyond patience.

With a gentle but firm motion, he freed his arm, stepping back to eye her with a frosty stare. “What then? I'm to believe you, plan our future, lay the path ahead... Only to be met with deceit and your confession of indifference towards me all over again?"

His voice was tinged with suppressed despair.

Finally, Marcus found his words. "I won't grant you forgiveness so easily all the time, Melissa.

Your regret, to me, is insignificant.

I'll marry, perhaps someone of equal standing. Maybe there'll be no love, no joy. But at least, I won't have to constantly decipher her thoughts or fear her leaving. My life is too full for such juvenile romances."

He spoke with a sense of finality. Once he finished, Marcus felt no reason to linger.