"There is nothing left for me to say to you. I just want you to know that a part of my heart will always belong to you but the rest of me will hate you forever. If I don't set eyes on you ever again in this lifetime, it still won't be enough," she threw the hurtful words at Tang and turned towards the exit, her head held high in anger.

Tang started after her, only to be forestalled by Wei.

"Hold on. I think you should leave her alone for a bit. She has had quite a shock. Just to let you know that Mei Zhen was ruthless in her conduct at my place. Please ensure that she doesn't come anywhere near Jia Li again else I won't be responsible for what happens next. As for Jia Li, I suggest that you try talking to her tomorrow. Give her some s.p.a.ce. I am taking her back to my place right now," he told Tang, who was straining to go after Jia Li.

A visibly reluctant Tang nodded his head. His heart was bleeding because of her words.

Wei walked out to see her leaning against the car. Her face had lost whatever colour had been remaining post Mei Zhen's attack. She seemed to be on the verge of collapsing. He took her elbow gently and helped her get inside the car wordlessly. This time she didn't resist.

The journey from Tang's house to w.a.n.g residence was filled with his anxious glances at her crumpled form. At one juncture, he couldn't take it anymore. Stopping the car on the side, he unbuckled his belt and got down. Opening her door, he leaned over and released her seat belt and gathered her in his arms.

Jia Li, who had been sitting in a near daze suddenly realised what was happening. She struggled to break out of his embrace but he wouldn't budge an inch. She gave up after a couple of attempts and laid her head against his chest in exhaustion.

His steady heartbeat and the warmth of his hug finally melted the frozen grief inside her. Hurt, anger, disbelief, frustration and many more emotions spilled out in the form of hot tears from her eyes. She had no idea how long did she cry for. She didn't even know if it was the 27 years old Jia Li crying or her 21 years old self who felt cheated by the same guy all over again. Slowly she quietened down. Her body trembled in the aftermath of the pent up emotions' release. Wei's hands were a comforting imprint on her back. Moving back a bit, she looked up at him through the haze of tears.

Wei wanted to kill Tang with his bare hands. Jia Li's heart wrenching sobs were tearing a hole inside his gut. He hadn't known about the fake amnesia but he had foreseen that Tang's repeated attempts to get close to her wouldn't end well for her. That's why he had repeatedly warned her and tried to keep her away from that b******.

He was so helpless looking at her green eyes s.h.i.+mmering with precious tears. Her breath was now inundated with soft sobs. Wei felt as if his heart would shatter looking at her in so much pain. He didn't wait for conscious thought to form and acted upon his instinct. He ducked his head, bringing his lips within touching distance of her upturned face. Pausing for an infinite second, he felt her breath on his neck before closing the remaining gap between the two of them.

He dropped featherlight kisses on her entire face, starting from the forehead. He dared not look at Jia Li's expressions who seemed to have held her breathe, maybe in surprise. He focussed on soothing out the frown line which had formed between her brows. Pressing his lips gently there, he held still till he heard her sigh gently and relax the facial muscles. With a tiny victorious smile, he kissed both her temples. He moved his lips then to trace the shape of her eyebrows, one at a time.

Her closed eyelids felt hot and swollen to his mouth. He blew gently around her eyes to dry the clinging moisture on her long curling lashes. The slanting slope of her cheeks beckoned him invitingly and he rained kisses on both sides of her face, removing all traces of the recently shed tears. There was a sense of urgency which was building inside him. Jia Li seemed to sense it and opened her eyes in question.

His gaze seemed to shout – "trust me".

Maybe she still hadn't fully grasped his actions or maybe it was the need to be soothed by someone, held by someone.