322 The Truth Revealed (Double Update)_5

The unfairness pierced her heart with pain.

She lowered her gaze and murmured, "I... thought you didn't want it."

"Why wouldn't I want..."

Before the word was fully spoken, Xiao Liulang stopped.

I thought you didn't want it.

The implication of that sentence was colossal.

It can't be that my Xiao Liulang doesn't want it, but Xiao Hen does not.

Empress Dowager Zhuang knew who he was now.

She also remembered the time she "poisoned" Xiao Hen and knew that Xiao Hen had been wary of her, disgusted with her, and couldn't wait to stay away from her.

"Haven't you thought of asking me?"

"I have, but I... was afraid." Empress Dowager Zhuang mustered up all her courage and dignity to admit her feelings.

Fearing rejection, she rejected the possibility of being rejected first because she cared too much.

She would rather be wronged a thousand times than open her heart once.

Her pride was that strong and that twisted.