Anya Nealon NovelLove to the Extreme Without Clinging

That night, clutching the positive pregnancy test, my heart practically soared with joy as I waited for Nealon to come home. I planned to confess everything to him.

Instead, I waited for him to bring a gorgeous woman home for the night.

The woman didn't like the smell of durian pastry, so he tossed out the meal I'd spent two hours meticulously preparing.

Nealon scooped her up in a princess carry, heading inside to massage her feet.

She chuckled, teasing him, "You have a little girl living here? She seems quite fond of you."

Nealon didn't even glance back. His voice was icy. "Just a kid. No need to mind her."

A bitter laugh escaped me. I shredded the pregnancy test report, booked an appointment for an abortion, and simultaneously bought a ticket to the Amazon rainforest.


I was a Master's student in Archaeology, passionate about history and artifacts.

My professor often praised my exceptional talent for archaeology, repeatedly inviting me to join his team.

For Nealon, I always refused.

Nealon. He was the man I loved more than anyone.

He was a friend of my father's.

I was content to be a clingy vine, utterly dependent on his life. I felt truly happy.

Especially after I discovered I was pregnant that night.

It made me even more determined to stay by Nealon's side.

But now, all those beautiful illusions had shattered.

Nealon had another woman.

And he had never, not once, loved me.

Before booking my ticket to the rainforest, I finally dialed my professor, a call I hadnt made in ages.

His voice on the other end was a mix of surprise and pure delight.

"Anya? What, have you finally decided to join my archaeology team?"

I nodded.

"Yes, Professor. Ive made up my mind. My flight is in three days. Ill meet you in the rainforest."

The professor was overjoyed, as if hed found a priceless treasure.

"Oh, Anya, youve finally come to your senses! Ive always said youre the most talented student Ive ever seen. You shouldn't let that talent go to waste!"

After hanging up, a clap of thunder rumbled outside, making me realize it was raining.

Normally, at times like these, I'd worry about Nealon getting caught in the rain.

Even though I knew he had a personal driver and bodyguards and wouldn't get wet, I'd still rush out with an umbrella.

He always looked surprised to see me, then his brows would furrow.

"Didn't I tell you not to come here anymore?"

His angry face would send me into a panic, making me apologize profusely.

I couldn't help but smile bitterly. That's what love does; it makes you so desperate.

But now, I sat motionless on the sofa.

Whether Nealon got wet or not would soon have nothing to do with me.

Only three days left.

In three days, I would leave this city forever.




When Nealon pushed the door open, he was soaked to the bone. He stood in the doorway, watching me, his eyes unreadable.

"Anya, it's raining today."

I stood up, poured myself a glass of water, and nodded.

"Hmm."

I was thinking about what I needed to prepare for the rainforest, things that would be useful for archaeology.

After a long moment, I turned around and realized Nealon hadn't left. He was still staring at me, unmoving, his brows tightly furrowed.

I asked, surprised, "What's wrong, Nealon?"

He was completely drenched, water still dripping from his hair, but his eyes held a surprising vulnerability, a hint of hurt.

"Why didn't you bring me an umbrella today?"

I suddenly chuckled. I thought it was something serious.

"You don't like me going there, so I didn't go. Is there a problem with that?"

I looked at him, genuinely puzzled.

"No problem."

Nealon curtly dropped three words, his voice thick with a cold nasal tone.

Then he turned and walked upstairs, slamming the study door shut behind him.
He was angry.

But I no longer cared.

Before, I cared so much. Whenever he was in a bad mood, I'd rack my brain trying to cheer him up, only to be met with his annoyance.

Nealon was a business associate of my father's.

After my parents died in an accident, Nealon took me in, provided for me, paid for my education, and taught me so much.

If I hadn't secretly fallen for him, perhaps I wouldn't have harbored these bitter, unspoken feelings.

I took a deep breath and went to bed early.

But who knew, I accidentally fell down the stairs, and the baby miscarried.

I still remember the night I got pregnant. Nealon had been drugged.

He didnt know who I was, drunkenly pulling me onto his bed.

He was utterly ruthless with me.

His scent filled the sheets and the entire room.

I admit, I was completely lost in that moment.

Afterward, Nealon didnt remember a thing, and I didnt dare speak of it.

Until.

I found out I was unexpectedly pregnant.




The night I got the pregnancy test results.

I sent Martha, the housekeeper, home to rest. I cooked dinner myself.

I prepared a lavish meal, waiting for Nealon to return, intending to confess my feelings.

If he loved me back, I would tell him about that night, and we would be together.

If he didn't, I would leave.

But it wasn't until eleven o'clock that Nealon finally arrived, the food long since cold.

And he wasn't alone. He brought a gorgeous woman in a red dress, intimately leaning on him.

Her personality was as vibrant and intense as her red dress.

She saw right through my carefully hidden feelings.

Deliberately wrapping her arms around Nealons neck, she provocatively teased me.

"Nealon, this little girl in your house, she seems quite fond of you!"

Nealon didnt even spare me a glance. His eyes were fixed on the womans feet as he carefully massaged them.

"Just a kid. No need to mind her."

My blood instantly ran cold.

So that's it.

Even after all I'd done, all the obvious hints I'd dropped.

In his eyes, I was still just a child.

I rested for half a day, then took a taxi back to the villa alone.

I was ready to pack my things.

But everything I had in that villa, Nealon had given me.

I only packed a few essential clothes, taking nothing else.

At eight o'clock that evening, Nealon knocked on my door.

"Anya."

I glanced at the time, surprised. Nealon usually worked until after ten. Why was he home so early today?

I quickly dabbed on some blush in the mirror, to hide my pale complexion and any tell-tale signs, before opening the door.