Chapter 1754
Skyler said nothing, just picked up her spoon and continued to sip her soup.
Taking in her frail figure, Zavier spoke again. âYour sister hasnâtâ¦â
He could hardly bring himself to say the word âdiedâ when Skyler abruptly looked up at him, âMy sister? I have a sister?â
Zavier was at a loss for words. She didnât remember having a sister?
The news of her âsisterâs deathâ had overwhelmed her with grief. She had fainted and then slept soundly for an entire week. Upon waking, she was eerily calm.
He should have known something was wrong. Was she truly unable to remember? Or was she pretending, putting on a show just for him?
Zavier couldnât be sure. The only thing he was certain of was the immense hurt his lie had
caused her.e2
Memories of the past flickered through Zavierâs mind like scenes from a movie, relentless -and vivid. He had known for years the real reason why Skyler had been manipulating him.
He knew everything and yet, he hurt her like a madman.
Even after she had fled from him, wounded by his actions, he failed to see his own mistakes until she faked her own death to escape from his life completely.
That was when he truly realized the extent of his folly over the years. That was when he understood the depth of the pain he had inflicted upon her.
All Skyler ever wanted was simple. Itâs to live well, to live with dignity. That was all.
And he had destroyed her most cherished sense of self-worth, keeping her like a pet. She
had lived a life worse than death.
In the two years following her âdeathâ, he had been a shell of a man. Holding onto a sliver of hope that Skyler was still alive, he searched for her across the globe, as hope dwindled, ever so faintly. Just when he thought he could never find her again, there she was before his very eyes.
Zavier gazed intently at the woman under the distant streetlamp. Even from afar, even though the view wasnât clear, his heart pounded violently in his chest. It was as if he had been brought back to life.
Zavier suddenly began to cough violently. Garrett, who was behind him, quickly stepped forward to support him, âZavier.â
Zavierâs eyes remained fixed on the woman under the streetlamp, âIs that Skyler? Is Skyler really still alive?â
He was terrified. Terrified it was just a dream, afraid that upon waking, he would be alone
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Garrett assured him, âItâs Skyler! Skyler is truly alive!â
Zavier seemed not to hear what Garrett was saying, repeating, âIs Skyler truly alive?â
Garrett said, âIf you donât believe it, letâs go to her. The moment you touch her, youâll believe that Skyler is indeed alive.â
Garrett moved to guide Zavier forward, but after just one step, Zavier froze, âI canât go over
there. I canât disturb her life now.â
Garrett looked at Zavier with puzzled eyes, âYouâve searched for her for two whole years. Now that weâve finally found her, whyâ¦â
Before he could finish, Zavier clutched his chest and began coughing violently again. Amidst the coughing, a mouthful of fresh blood spilled from his lips.
Garrett was startled, âZavier, whatâs happening to you?â
Even as his body weakened to the point of barely standing, Zavierâs eyes remained fixed on the woman under the streetlamp.
After she led her friends inside, leaving the spot empty, he still could not look away. He whispered, âIâm scared.â
Garrett was even more confused, âWeâve found her, what are you still afraid of?â
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Zavier was afraid of so many things.
Chapter 1755
Fear gnawed at him fear of losing control again and hurting Skyler.
Fear that Skyler would run away from him once more.
Fear that he might never even catch a glimpse of Skyler again.
Just fearâ¦
Sensing his silent turmoil, Garrett grew impatient. âZavier.â
Zavier waved him off, âFind a hotel and get some rest. I need some solitude.âe2
âHow can I leave you alone in this state?â Garrett glanced at the small house nearby. âSkyler and the others have gone inside. You canât see her from here, whatâs the point in staying?â
Zavier replied, âJust knowing sheâs there, that sheâs alive, thatâs enough for me.â
Garrett sighed, âYouâre hopelessly romantic, you know that?â
At that, something clicked in Zavierâs mind. âGarrett, you go right now and arrange for men to monitor the area for miles around. I have to know Skylerâs whereabouts at all times. She canât vanish from my life again. But remember, she mustnât notice. We canât disturb her life.â
âAlright, Iâm on it.â Garrett shook his head as he left.
Back in college, Garrett had thought Zavier was the least likely to be tied down by love. Now, it seemed Zavier was the only one ensnared by it. Some people might seem crazy and heartless, but they were the most devoted in love.
After Garrett left, Zavier, with trembling hands, lit a cigarette and took a harsh drag. âSkyler, I know Iâm a bastard. I know everything. I could have explained it all to you, but I chose a path that hurt us both.â
Back then, Zavier knew everything. He knew that Skyler had tricked him under her grandfatherâs coercion. He knew it all.
He could have chosen to talk it out with her, but instead, he hurt her in the most extreme way. Because he thought, in Skylerâs world, her sister would always come first. He would always be second to her sister.
Until the day Skyler faked her own death and he saw her young sister again, now grown up and the spitting image of eighteen-year-old Skyler. Not just in looks, but even the timid demeanor was identical to Skylerâs. That was when he had his epiphany, In Skylerâs heart, her sister was another version of herself. She didnât want her sister to live in constant fear as she had.
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Despite being barely an adult herself and unable to escape the clutches of her own family, she did everything she could to protect her sister. She refused to let her sister suffer as
she had.
He knew all of this, yet he let jealousy drive him to wound her so grievously. He could still vividly recall the light dying in Skylerâs eyes when he told her that her sister was dead.
After that, she never mentioned Iris in front of him again, and to this day, he didnât know if she had truly forgotten her sister.
He had consulted psychologists who told him that some people choose to forget certain events because theyâre too painful to remember. Maybe Skyler had indeed forgotten Iris. Otherwise, how could she bear to fake her own death?
It was his selfishness, his jealousy, his madness, and his obsession that made her decade with him akin to living in hell.
âSkyler, I know I made a mistake. Is there any chance for me?â Hot tears rolled down from Zavierâs bloodshot eyes.
He knew, all too well, that regret was the one thing you couldnât buy in this world.
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