Epilogue 1
Epilogue 1
+ 5 Points
Archer loves Gwen.
It was the first sentence written by
eighteen–year–old Archer on the first page of his journal.
When I later opened that notebook again, my heart was filled with guilt.
Gwen and I met in high school. It’s been twelve years since then.
Twelve years of love–perhaps it should have been unbreakable.
But no amount of love seems to withstand the relentless passage of time.
Epilogue 1
+ 5 Points
Back then, we lived in hardship, and I swore I would give Gwen a better life.
As the company began to make money, Gwen and I no longer had to squeeze into crowded subways or live in a basement.
We bought our first home.
Gwen was overjoyed, saying we finally had a place to call our own.
Later, Gwen became pregnant, and the baby she carried was particularly difficult.
She had no choice but to stop working and stay home to rest.
Eventually, Gwen left the company altogether.
Epilogue 1
+ 5 Points
After that, we had fewer and fewer things to talk about.
When Paige was born, she cried every night. We went through three nannies, but none could calm her. She only wanted Gwen.
Gwen lost a lot of weight, and I felt terrible for her.
But the company was in a crucial growth phase.
It was like trying to hold onto both the fish and the bear’s paw–impossible to have both.
Once that period passed, Gwen and I spoke even less.
And that was when Ruby appeared.
Epilogue 1
+ 5 Points
She was confident and radiant, just like…
Just like the Gwen I knew at eighteen.
But the Gwen who had been by my side for more than a decade had lost some of that youthful vitality, worn down by life.
Before I realized it, I was drawn to Ruby.
But I never intended to betray Gwen.
Later, Gwen found out, and we fought countless times because of Ruby.
I felt regret, but I was torn.
Ruby was a tremendous help to my business.
Epilogue 1
+ 5 Points
After she joined the company, her family helped me a great deal.
So, I tacitly allowed those ambiguous gestures.
As long as they didn’t cross the line.
That night, when Gwen asked me if I still loved her, I finally realized.
Of course, I loved her.
But now, looking back, it was already too late.
Everything was too late.
Just as I had resolved to make things right, Gwen died.
It felt like the sky had fallen.
5/7
Epilogue 1
+ 5 Points
When I received the news of her death, I had just signed a major contract.
I was about to text Gwen to celebrate when those around me hesitated and delivered the
news.
Impossible. It had to be a lie.
She couldn’t be dead.
I recalled her increasingly frail body.
All those little details I hadn’t paid attention to before suddenly flooded my mind.
No, it couldn’t be true.
Just a few days ago, Gwen had been sharing
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Epilogue 1
+ 5 Points
She was confident and radiant, just like…..
Just like the Gwen I knew at eighteen.
But the Gwen who had been by my side for more than a decade had lost some of that youthful vitality, worn down by life.
Before I realized it, I was drawn to Ruby.
い
But I never intended to betray Gwen.
Later, Gwen found out, and we fought countless times because of Ruby.
I felt regret, but I was torn.
Ruby was a tremendous help to my business.
Epilogue 1
+ 5 Points
After she joined the company, her family helped me a great deal.
So, I tacitly allowed those ambiguous gestures.
As long as they didn’t cross the line.
That night, when Gwen asked me if I still loved her, I finally realized.
Of course, I loved her.
But now, looking back, it was already too late.
Everything was too late.
Just as I had resolved to make things right, Gwen died.
It felt like the sky had fallen.
5/7
Epilogue 1
+ 5 Points
When I received the news of her death, I had just signed a major contract.
I was about to text Gwen to celebrate when those around me hesitated and delivered the
news.
Impossible. It had to be a lie.
She couldn’t be dead.
I recalled her increasingly frail body.
All those little details I hadn’t paid attention to before suddenly flooded my mind.
No, it couldn’t be true.
Just a few days ago, Gwen had been sharing
6/7
Epilogue 1
stories about Paige with me.
Yes, Paige, not herself.
I booked an emergency flight back.
+ 5 Points
Epilogue 2
