Chapter 7
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Hugo froze in place, his eyes widening in shock. “What did you just say?”
“Wasn’t I clear enough?” Adeline stared at him, her eyes red but filled with determination. “I said, I’m willing to let you go.”
Bang!
Hugo kicked the coffee table over, sending shards of glass flying.
He grabbed her wrist tightly, his face full of anger. “Aline! What are you saying? I’ve always loved you! And now, you want me to be with another woman?”
Adeline’s eyes stayed red as she met his gaze. She was silent but unyielding.
They stood there, locked in a long silence, until Hugo finally let out a heavy breath.
He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. “Let’s forget this whole thing. Steffie has already forgiven you, and I won’t bring it up again.”
He added as he hugged her closer, “But listen to me, you’re not allowed to say you’re leaving again. Everything I did was to run away with you.”
Adeline didn’t tell him that she had already made up her mind to leave
him.
“She forgave me, just like that? No conditions?” She asked.
Hugo froze in place. He didn’t speak right away. After a few seconds, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it. Smoke drifted around as he finally answered.
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Chapter 7
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“She… said she wants a wedding. She told me she hopes her kids can see that their parents were once in love and married.”
He paused again and then turned to face Adeline. “But the wedding won’t be real. It’s just to give the kids something to believe in. Don’t take it the wrong way.”
Adeline’s lips quivered, but she didn’t let out a sound. It felt like
something invisible was squeezing her heart, and each heartbeat hurt more than the last.
Hugo was still talking, but his words came and went like waves- sometimes close, sometimes fading.
Adeline stared at the way his lips moved and suddenly felt completely
worn out.
She gently closed her eyes, letting his words sink in like sharp blades, each one slicing deeper into her heart.
She didn’t say another word from that point on.
***
Hugo stayed by Adeline’s side in the hospital for three days straight. During that time, he looked after her in every way he could.
Whenever he fed her, he always blew on the food first, so it wouldn’t be too hot. Only then did he gently bring it to her mouth.
If she shifted even a little in her sleep, he would wake up right away, grab her hand in fear, and wouldn’t rest until he was sure she was okay.
When the nurse came to give her antibiotics, he would wrap his arms around her, gently place his hand over her eyes, and whisper, “Don’t be scared. It’ll be over quickly.”
But the moment Adeline was discharged from the hospital, he went
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Chapter 7
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straight into wedding preparations. To stop Adeline from “causing any problems“, he took her phone and even arranged for bodyguards to watch her all day and night.
Adeline didn’t fight back. Instead, she quietly began packing her things. Once she was done, she gave away every single gift Hugo had ever given her over the years.
None of those things truly belonged to her, a true reflection of the fact that she and Hugo came from completely different worlds.
On their wedding day, Adeline got her phone back. It was filled with photos sent by Steffie.
Hugo, dressed sharply in his suit, was seen gently putting a ring on Steffie’s finger. They shared a deep kiss surrounded by cheers and applause. The two of them, along with their daughter, happily cut the cake together…
Each photo felt like a fresh wound, digging into Adeline’s already broken heart.
She was about to turn off her phone when the door swung open without warning.
Standing there were Edwin and Marcella, their expressions cold and distant. “Everything’s been arranged. Your flight is ready. You can go
now.”
Marcella gave Adeline a plane ticket and said, “Once you’re gone, he won’t be able to reach you again.”
Without saying a word, Adeline took the ticket and grabbed the suitcase that was already packed.
The sunlight was warm and bright as she stepped out of the house.
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She slowly made her way toward the car waiting by the road, never once turning around.
She didn’t leave any final words for Hugo.
Because from now on, they would live in different worlds–far apart from one another.
They would never meet again…
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