Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue
Chapter 1516

Tatiana changed into the oversized "dress" with excitement, spinning joyfully in front of the mirror.She found more happiness in it than in wearing any other fancy dresses.

Suddenly, her phone rang, startling her.

She tiptoed to the bedside, took the phone, and saw from the caller ID that it was Lyla. Her heartraced, panic setting in.

Eventually, concerned that Lyla was worried about her, she chose to answer the call.

"Taty, why aren't you home? Where did you go?” Lyla sounded very worried.

"I-I'm fine, Mom. I'm doing alright.”

"Where are you now?"

I am in Solana City with Sean.”

Tatiana mustered the courage and said, "I'm not going home, Mom. Sean is upset, so I want to staywith him."

The conversation lapsed into silence, making her feel uncomfortable.

After a long while, Lyla asked softly, "Are both of you staying at a hotel or Alyssa’s house in SolanaCity?"

"No, Sean has a house in Solana City," Tatiana became softer as she spoke. Her face blushed.

"So, I see you've made a decision. Are you prepared?”

Tatiana was dumbfounded. Her eyes fluttered. "Huh?"

"Sean is a good person. You are 22 now, an adult. I know I can't stop you, even if I wanted to."“Mom, I..."

Lyla let out a long sigh. Her voice was gentle and didn't show a hint of dissatisfaction toward her.She only sounded concerned. "Taty, you don't need to explain to me. I've been there before. Howwould I not understand?

"If you've decided to give yourself to Sean, I won't stop you. But please take the necessaryprecautions. After all, both of you are not married yet. Even if you love this man, you have to protectyourself and draw boundaries.

"But I do know how much Sean loves you. I'm sure he will take good care of you.”

Tatiana was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes. Her heart raced wildly, and her face blushedwith embarrassment.

Tatiana waited in the room for a while. But since Sean didn’t come upstairs to replace her, she went tolook for him instead.

Entering the kitchen, she heard the sound of water boiling. Sean had his tall back facing her,standing motionless by the stove. Despite calling him twice, there was no response.

Barefoot, Tatiana ran to him and hugged him from behind. Softly and coyly, she asked, "Sean?What's the matter? Did you zone out?"

Sean's body shuddered. He frantically wiped the tears at the corner of his eyes, but it was too late.Tatiana saw everything.

"Sean, y-you're crying?”

"I'm fine.” Sean lowered his head, avoiding her gaze. A teardrop slid from his jaw into the pot ofmilk.

Tatiana moved to his side, placing both hands on his shoulders to make him look at her. Panickingand aching for him, she saw his damp face. Tenderly, she caressed his face.

"What do you mean you're fine? Your eyes are swollen! What's the matter? Sean, don't hide it fromme. Don't scare me!"

Sean felt a heaviness in his chest, a pain akin to a dull knife cutting his heart. "I'm sorry, Taty. You'vesuffered so much today. I'm getting angry just thinking about it. The more I think about it, the moreuseless I feel.”