"I ….

" Ellena hung up and stared at Richard for a moment who was staring at her quite intensely.

A smile appeared on Richard's face, in response. Meanwhile, his hand seemed to gently caress Ellena's hand. It seemed he didn't want to hear what Ellena had to say anymore.

"Maybe this will disappoint you, but I have to tell you the truth. I don't want you to keep hoping for me, while I may not be able to make your expectations come true.

" Ellena whispered as she looked down, then looked at Richard with a sad expression.

Instantly Richard's smile faded. He seemed to be furrowing his brows as if in amazement.

"What do you mean, Patricia?

" He asked probingly.

"Actually, I … I already have a husband, Richard.

"

Richard jumped when he heard Ellena's statement. His eyes looked perfectly rounded and in just seconds, Ellena's hand slipped from his grip.

He was stunned for a moment then shook his head, as if he couldn't believe what Ellena had just said.

"No. It's impossible. You must be lying, right?

" said Richard, forcing a smile.

A sad look appeared on Ellena's face. Her eyes glazed over a little. She really couldn't bear to see Richard. She could clearly see that the man was very disappointed in her.

"No, Richard. I'm already married.

" Ellena explained a little doubtfully.

This honesty might hurt Richard, but she thought it was the best way for Richard not to get his hopes up too much. In reality, she was a woman that a man like Richard didn't deserve, even though her current status with Lucas was on the verge of collapse.

"No. It's impossible, Patricia!

"

Again Richard rebuffed Ellena's words. Instantly his body crashed into the back of the chair so limp. It was enough to prove that he was shocked to hear that fact.

Meanwhile, his head which was already attached to the back of the chair, seemed still trying to shake his head, refusing the reality that was so painful for him. His gaze was empty and fixed in any direction.

"But it's the truth, Richard. I can't keep this from you forever!

" Ellena insisted, trying to convince Richard.

"You'll probably get hurt even more if you find out about this later.

" She added later.

"But why are you just telling me now?

" Richard raised his voice with piercing eyes at Ellena.

"Richard, I'm sorry for telling you now. But, I also have reasons why I didn't tell you all about this from the start.

" Ellena explained as she shook Richard's arm.

Ellena really couldn't bear to see Richard's expression at this time. She also did not expect that Richard would be so hurt by this fact. Ah, is it true that Richard loved her so much?

"I was married six months ago to someone you might already know,

" said Ellena, who suddenly managed to turn Richard's attention to her.

Richard immediately looked at Ellena's face probingly. However, he was still reluctant to comment and chose to wait for Ellena to explain further.

"But right now our marriage is on the verge of collapse and that's the reason why I went to this city.

" Ellena explained again with tears in her eyes, remembering the painful story that happened in her life.

"Who is that man?

" asked Adley flatly with the same look. He was really curious, once Ellena said that maybe she knew the man.

"Lucas.

" Ellena whispered, lowering her face for a moment.

"Lucas?

" Richard jumped up and immediately lifted his back from the back of the sofa, leaning towards Ellena with a perfectly rounded gaze.

"You mean Mr. Lucas? My business partner?

" asked Richard to reconfirm his guess.

Ellena nodded quickly, confirming Richard's question.

"Oh Gosh, Patricia … why didn't you say so from the start, huh?

" Richard grabbed his hair in frustration, then flung himself back onto the back of the sofa.

"I came to this city out of necessity, Richard. I was kicked out by my own in-laws, when Lucas was still in a coma. I was framed and accused of having an affair with another man, who knows who did that. That's why I hid my true identity, because I didn't want to do that. someone else knows where I am, according to Mrs. Veronica's request.

" Ellena explained at length.

Richard was silent and just watched Ellena's face. Didn't think that Ellena's life was that complicated. He thought Ellena was a very cheerful person, but behind the woman's laughter, there was a wound that was so painful.

"Who dares to hurt you, Patricia? I won't allow that!

" Richard firmly looked lost in Ellena's outpouring.

Of course he is not willing if someone dares to hurt the woman he loves so much at this time. Even though Ellena was already married, there was still hope for him to be with her. Considering now Ellena's marriage to Lucas is on the verge of collapse. It is possible that one day they separate and Richard has the opportunity to enter Ellena's life.

"I don't know who set me up. I don't even know that my presence in this city doesn't escape someone's scrutiny,

" answered Ellena.

"What do you mean?

" asked Richard still not understanding Ellena's statement.

"There's someone watching me in this town, Richard. Yesterday they caught me when I was going to see you and Mr. Adley.

" Ellena informed him.

"They forbade me to approach anyone close to Lucas, including Mr Adley.

" He added.

"So?

"

"If that happens, then my mother's life is at stake. I beg of you, don't tell Lucas or Mr. Adley about my presence here, Richard.

" Ellena pleaded.

Ellena also began to explain what happened yesterday, when the two men kidnapped her. There is no other reason. She just wanted Richard to understand her current position.

"I don't know what to do now, Patricia. This is really disappointing for me. If you had been honest from the start, I probably wouldn't have expected more from you.

" Richard said with the same expression full of disappointment.

"I'm sorry, Richard. I didn't mean it like that.

" Ellena replied, staring at Richard's sad face.

"Patricia, could I possibly still have a chance to be with you?

" Richard asked as he reached out and grabbed Ellena's hand.

"Richard, please don't be like this.

" Ellena immediately withdrew her hand.

"For now, we can't be together. I'm still Lucas's wife,

" said Ellena.

If the situation was that Ellena was still not married to Lucas, perhaps she would be very grateful to have met someone as good as Richard. How could there be a woman who dared to reject a man like Richard, besides being handsome, he was good too. However, unfortunately she is already married to Lucas.

In fact, until now only Lucas had managed to win Ellena's heart. Even though Richard was there, Ellena was still unaffected and still hoped to be back with Lucas.

"But your marriage—

"

"I know, my marriage with Lucas can't necessarily be saved, but … even though right now my status is still the same, namely as Lucas's wife. I can't have a relationship with another man while I still have a husband.

" Ellena explained with feelings hesitant.

"I'll be waiting for you, Patricia.

" Richard whispered adamantly.

"You deserve better than me, Richard.

" Ellena replied, still trying to keep Richard from waiting for her, because she wasn't sure she could live with Richard.

"You're the best for me,

" said Richard, not wanting to lose.

Elena sighed. Feeling confused how else to respond to Richard.

"Honestly, I still wish I could get back together with Lucas, Richard.

" Ellena hissed, though doubts had yet again assaulted her.

"What for, Patricia? Even when you're in this state, she just stays quiet and doesn't try to find you?

" Richard protested later. Of course he felt let down again by Ellena's answer.

"I'm sure he's looking for me, Richard.

" Ellena responded with confidence.

"What's the proof? If he was looking for you, how could he still not find your whereabouts, Patricia. I know that in this country he is very influential. He could have spread your photo or just made an advertisement for a competition in the mass media, in order to find you, but in fact what? He didn't do that at all, as if deliberately freeing you from his life,

" said Richard trying to instigate Ellena.

However, it really became a reference for him. The distance between where Lucas and Ellena lived now wasn't too far away. If Lucas had intended, he could have done as Richard said or he could have spread some of his confidants to every area.

However, for some reason Lucas didn't do that, as if the matter this time didn't want people to know about it. Even though the more people knew about Ellena's disappearance, the easier it would be for him to find her.

"He must have a reason why he didn't do that. I'm sure.

" Ellena said forcing a smile.

She knew very well how much Lucas loved her. There was no way Lucas would just sit there, not looking for her. Especially when calling the other day. She could clearly hear Lucas' voice, who was very worried about her.

"Why are you so sure, Patricia?

" Richard protested, as if he didn't accept Ellena's statement that was too defensive for Lucas.

"Because I know who my husband is!

"

Ellena emphasized her words a little, hoping that Richard would know how much Lucas meant to her. That way, maybe Richard wouldn't expect more from her. Their relationship, it's enough just as superiors and subordinates in the office.

However, in fact it did not affect Richard in the slightest. The proof is that until now Richard is still trying to convince him to stay with Ellena.

"You can wish the best for your relationship with Lucas. That's your right. But don't ever forbid me to love and protect you, because I will never give up, until I actually see you back with Lucas!

" Richard insisted that he didn't want to give up.

"And if it turns out that your relationship really ends, then I will be the first to fight for you!

" added Richard confidently.

"You're crazy, Richard!

" Ellena cursed in disbelief.

"You're the one driving me crazy, Patricia!

" said Richard not wanting to lose.