âIâve told you, weâre through. No, correction-we never even started. You never chose me from the get-
go. Dahlia, please stop making things difficult for my wife.â
With a gentle pull, Nolan intertwined his fingers with Reginaâs, their clasped hands a stark visual sting to Dahliaâs already bruised heart.
âFine, just fine! Every choice Iâve made over the years has been wrong. I left, and I missed my chance with you. Now I come back, only to miss you again. Nolan, you might as well admit you never gave me a shot. Whatâs with this holier-than-thou act?
And Regina, you bitch, thereâs no need to gloat in front of me. You want to see me suffer? Well, I wonât give you the satisfaction! Iâm going to make sure you all regret this!â
Mid-rant, Dahlia charged headfirst toward a column in the grand hall. Nolan, quick as he was, still couldnât prevent her desperate lunge.
In that moment, she was gambling on whether Nolan would soften, and it turned out she won the bet.
He still cared, but her stubbornness came at a cost. Her forehead collided with the column, leaving a bloody imprint.
Regina, shocked, clapped a hand over her mouth, unable to believe Dahliaâs drastic resolve.
The scene escalated quickly, almost to the brink of a catastrophe, drawing attention from everyone-
including Reginaâs boss from upstairs.
âAlright, break it up; thereâs nothing to see here.
âWhat are you standing around for? Call an ambulance, now!â
Nolan barked at Regina, who was momentarily frozen, before she sprung into action. âRight, on it! Iâm dialing. Donât panic; just try to stop Dahliaâs bleeding. Weâre close to the hospital; the ambulance will be here in no time. Just focus on keeping her calm.â
She rattled off instructions as she phoned for help, her voice a nervous flutter.
Nolan sensed her distress but didnât dwell on it; his concern fixed on Dahlia in his arms.
âNolan, tell me none of this is real, right? Weâre still as close as we used to be; youâre not really married, are you?â
Even now, with blood streaming, down her forehead, Dahlia clung to his shirt, desperate for an answer he couldnât give. Their marriage certificate was tangible proof sitting back in his office.
âStop talking, youâre hurt. We need to focus on stopping the bleeding.â
âHeh, you canât even lie to me, can you? Just leave me to my fate, then. What does it matter if I bleed?
I have no father, no mother; if I die in a corner, no one would even know.â Her gaze dropped, tears streaming uncontrollably, her despair as palpable as those whoâve lost all will to live.
Nolan felt his heart twist. They were friends for many years; he couldnât bear to be the cause of her hopelessness. Even if their paths diverged, she deserved to walk in the sunlight, not towards an end.
âHow can you think like that? Youâre a talented dancer with a bright future. You donât have to give up on life because of me. Didnât you choose someone else before?â