Chapter 8
He pulled me into his embrace, his large hand patting my back in silent comfort.
I felt utterly pathetic.
It was just a hug.
It was just one touch from Arthur.
Just seeing his face and all my carefully built walls came crashing down.
My tears soaked through the fabric of his shirt.
Feeling embarrassed, I pulled away from his embrace. Arthur had already left.
The night was falling.
The streets were emptying of people.
I swallowed hard, still avoiding Arthur’s gaze.
“That’s enough. I’m calm now. I don’t love you anymore, Arthur. Just think of me as a distant relative, two people who no longer have any connection. That’s all. I’m going home.”
Arthur’s brow furrowed.
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His usually sharp features seemed suddenly defeated. I’d never seen him like this before.
He looked like a warrior finally laying down his arms.
He looked at me with resignation.
“Aria, I can’t let you bear the shame. I’ve always thought of you
as someone under my care. I never imagined our relationship would cross the line beyond family.”
I forced a smile, my lips twitching.
“I understand. You don’t need to explain further. If you’re done, I’ll leave.”
But he wouldn’t let go of my hand.
“I honestly don’t know what to do anymore, Aria.”
His words felt like boiling water scalding my heart.
I couldn’t believe the mighty Arthur would ever speak such words.
I even started to wonder if I was dreaming.
“When I saw your corpse, I’d never felt so powerless in my life.
“I imagined you might hate me, avoid me, blame me… but I never thought I’d never see you again in this lifetime.
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“I refused to let them bury you. I insisted you weren’t dead and that you were just angry with me. I even surrounded myself with countless people who looked like you.
“Everyone said I was crazy, called me insane, claimed I was committing a terrible sin by not letting you rest in peace. But I didn’t care. I kept doing it anyway.
“I don’t know what to do anymore. I don’t even know what I’m doing, Aria. Please, save me.”
He begged me to save him.
This man, whom I once thought was as unreachable as heaven. itself, was now pleading with me so pathetically.
I couldn’t describe the feelings churning inside me.
But I smiled.
I decided it was time to return the knife he had once plunged
into me.
“Arthur.”
“Aria…”
I looked at him with a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.
“I’m going to marry someone else, have children, and live a happy life. You and I will never be together, and all the pain
Chapter 8
you’re feeling now will finally end.
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“I’ll find my happiness… just not with you by my side until we’re old and gray. Please, wish me well.”
As I spoke, I slowly peeled his hands away from my body, finger by finger.
I didn’t need Arthur’s passionate declarations.
I didn’t need his emotional reluctance to let go.
And I certainly didn’t need his conflicted sense of obligation.
From the very beginning, all I ever wanted was…
Someone who could truly love me…
Since that wasn’t him, it was time to let go.
The best ending for us both was to live our separate lives, without interference, without entanglement, until the very end.
Seeing him like this still breaks my heart, but I wouldn’t hold on
anymore.
It would only bring us both more pain.
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