Chapter 18
Adrian dejectedly lowered his hand and went back to the place where he and Violet had lived together years ago.
The house had been renovated and was much better than before.
Following his memories, Adrian came to the old swing under the tree in the backyard.
The swing was worn out–just touching it made pieces fall off.
Adrian stared at the swing in a daze, thinking of his and Violet’s past.
This small, even shabby house was where he’d spent the darkest period of his life.
The courtyard walls couldn’t block out the gossip, curses, insults, even mocking laughter that constantly reached his ears.
Adrian had nearly broken down several times, but each time, Violet would cover his ears with her hands and tell him:
“Adrian, it’s okay. I’ll always be by your side.”
They’d been together ten years. No matter when he turned around, he could always see Violet behind him.
At first, seeing Violet work three jobs to put him through school, her ten fingers red and swollen with chilblains in winter, he’d gently kiss her
hands.
“Violet, I’ll definitely give you a good life.”
Time passed, promises faded.
Later, when their situation really did improve, he started caring about what people said about Violet and him.
“No education, works odd jobs, not good enough for you…”
Adrian cared more and more about such comments.
He began avoiding places where Violet worked, wouldn’t defend her when people put her down, even started being disgusted by things Violet brought him.
Thinking of this, Adrian crouched down, slumping against the ground in pain.
“Violet, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”
Meanwhile, back in New Haven, Violet was still talking with Ethan Rivers:
“You really don’t need to come every day. I can take care of myself, plus there are nurses.”
Hearing her words, Ethan didn’t stop setting food on the table.
“I know, but I want to keep you company.”
His gaze was too intense. Violet felt awkward and looked away.
Violet could sense Ethan’s unusual feelings for her, but since he hadn’t said anything directly, she couldn’t call him out on it,
Ethan seemed to know her psychology and always used his life debt as an excuse.
“I have something tomorrow and might not make it. You need to eat well–the doctor said you need nutrition before surgery to recover properly.”
Chapter 18
After Ethan left, the hospital room immediately quieted down.
Violet looked at the darkening sky outside, feeling oddly restless.
She seemed to have gotten used to Ethan chattering beside her every day.
Hospital atmospheres were always depressing. Violet couldn’t deny that chatting with Ethan daily had really improved her mood.
With surgery approaching, Violet was still scared. She went down to the hospital’s little garden.
“Violet!”
Turning to see Adrian, Violet felt disoriented, almost thinking she was hallucinating.
Until he hurried over, reaching out to pull her into his arms, then freezing when she instinctively dodged, awkwardly lowering his hand and asking hoarsely: “Are you sick? Why are you here?”
“How have you been lately?”
After a brief daze, Violet stepped back several paces, maintaining the distance strangers should have, asking politely then replying:
“Thanks for your concern, Professor Montgomery. I’m doing fine.”
Adrian had thought he was prepared to see her, but witnessing her distant, cold attitude still hurt unexpectedly. He opened his mouth to explain but didn’t know where to start.
“Violet, I was really wrong.”
“I already put Seraphina in a mental hospital, and the Vale family got arrested for corruption. What I did back then–I had no choice. You know how young I was getting this position, how many people were watching me, waiting for me to fail.”
“There’s really nothing between me and Seraphina. I love you, Violet. You’re the one I truly want to be with.”
The confession she’d never gotten in ten years now came so easily from his lips.
Violet looked at him and laughed bitterly.
“Adrian, saying this now is completely pointless.”
“There was never any relationship between us. Who you like or don’t like, who you want to be with–none of that concerns me.”
She was stating the harsh reality he desperately wanted to avoid.
Adrian shook his head frantically, his face pale: “No, Violet… no, I know I made mistakes before and hurt you, but…”
“Violet, I know I was an asshole before. I took your love for granted, hurt you to test how much you loved me… but I really know I was wrong. Can’t you…”
“Adrian!” Violet cut him off, her voice trembling slightly. “You know what hurt me most? Not that you kept hurting me, but that after hurting me, you still thought I couldn’t live without you, thought I deserved it.”
“I did love you. Loved you enough to give up my education, work three jobs a day to put you through school. Loved you enough that even knowing about you and Seraphina, I just quietly left without making a scene that could ruin your future.”
“Adrian, we were together ten years. In those ten years you never once told me you loved me. I thought you just weren’t good at expressing feelings–turns out you never thought I was worth saying those words to.”
“I know you looked down on me, so I let go. Why are you still coming after me?”
