Chapter 17
Alexander saw someone else with her and realized she might just be visiting, not running away. He immediately felt relieved.
Seeing others present, he didn’t act rashly, just silently followed behind her.
When only Sophia remained, Alexander couldn’t hold back any longer and quickly walked up to her.
In just those few steps, his eyes had turned red. He gripped her shoulders tightly, his voice filled with panic he didn’t recognize. “I thought you’d run away and abandoned me again… Thank God….. thank God…….‘
What was he thankful for? Sophia hadn’t run away, but that didn’t mean she’d forgiven him,
Despair flooded his heart as tears spilled over, though he kept his head down, unwilling to let her see his vulnerability.
His words were choked with sobs. “Sophia, I… I really can’t live without you. Please don’t leave me, please…”
He couldn’t think of any other way to make her stay he could only desperately use this method, hoping she’d soften
But he didn’t understand Sophia well enough. She would never soften toward someone who had hurt her.
Alexander continued, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Sophia. Don’t leave me, don’t leave…
This was actually the first time Sophia had seen him cry. She was surprised for only a moment before returning to normal.
There was no rule that dropping a few tears earned forgiveness. She used force to break free from his grip. “I made myself very clear that day. We’re impossible now. Don’t consume what good memories we had.”
Alexander staggered back two steps, his heart feeling like it was being tortured, cut into a thousand pieces.
Finally, he thought of the ring around his neck and frantically removed it, tremblingly holding it before her.
Like grasping a lifeline, he spoke urgently and incoherently, “Sophia, do you remember this ring? You promised to stay with me forever. You can’t break your word like this. Let’s go back and get married, okay?”
Sophia laughed sarcastically, also remembering the past, which made it even more ironic.
Her promise was built on Alexander’s, so if he hadn’t kept his, why should she keep hers?
“Don’t you think it’s ridiculous saying that? Let’s both let each other go, okay? Don’t make me remember this relationship only with pain.”
Alexander said nothing more, just silently crying.
Having spent a week there, Sophia could always see Alexander nearby staring blady with no intention of talking, so she stopped paying attention, knowing he was working things out and would leave when ready.
Alexander had indeed decided to leave. He’d been awakened by Sophia’s words.
She said she didn’t want to remember only pain.
He finally stopped deceiving himself into thinking she’d return, accepting her departure. It took him seven months.
After spending two weeks forcing himself to leave, Alexander boarded a plane home on an ordinary day–his departure silent unlike Sophia’s dramatic exit–and upon returning, he locked himself at home, seeing no one,
He seemed to revert to how he’d been when Sophia first left, except then he’d had hope she’d return–now only despair remained. The curtains were never opened; he lived in darkness, unable to remember what day it was.
Now only the photos on his phone and that necklace could sustain him.
When knocking came from outside after an unknown time, Alexander remained motionless on the floor with no intention of answering until he heard Robert’s voice, prompting him to drag his unsteady steps to the door only to be immediately slapped before he could
He paused, covering his cheek, and laughed. “Dad, what’s this for…..”
Robert, seeing his dejected state, grew angry.
Over a month ago, when Alexander abandoned important clients to find Sophia, he’d been somewhat upset.
But thinking Alexander would give up after hitting a wall, he’d waited. Unexpectedly, Alexander returned physically but not mentally.
Having no choice, he came personally.
“What the hell are you doing now? Becoming like this over one woman- Want?
–
not going to the company, not leaving home. What do you
Robert’s angry words echoed through the villa
Alexander just smiled indifferently without speaking.
This attitude made Robert’s face turn red with rage. After a long while, he calmed down. “Looking like this, Sophia would like you even less if she saw you.‘
This got Alexander’s attention, so Robert continued, “Being so pathetic–if she knew, she’d only regret ever loving you!”
Seeing Alexander freeze as if actually thinking, Robert softened his tone. “Alexander, your responsibilities aren’t just about love- there’s also the Sterling family. You can’t let Sophia know you’re someone without responsibility.”
After saying this, he patted his son’s shoulder and left.
