Chapter 411: Chapter 411: She’s Getting Married to Another Man (1)
There was no place for him here.
Not even a peripheral glance was spared for him.
He watched in silence as the other man slipped the ring onto her finger. A shower of colorful ribbons and rose petals rained down, and in their midst, Annabelle Linton looked impossibly beautiful.
In a corner, unnoticed by anyone, Leona Grant’s vision grew blurry as a film of moisture veiled his eyes.
From the corner of his eye, a single tear slid down in silence.
He turned and walked away decisively, not allowing himself a single moment to linger.
He’d thought about rushing up to grab Annabelle Linton and screaming to everyone that this woman was his. That they had been married, made love, and had once loved each other.
But seeing the rare warmth that softened her usually indifferent features... he couldn’t bring himself to ruin it.
’Hasn’t it been half a year since I’ve seen her smile this happily?’
’Because of me, Annabelle Linton never got to experience any of this. This is probably her only chance at happiness. If I go up there and ruin it, she’ll be furious and heartbroken, won’t she?’
So he kept his composure and didn’t cause a scene, simply witnessing the entire event in silence.
But when Annabelle Linton finally said, "I do," he felt as if he couldn’t breathe, a sharp, sour pain cutting into his throat like a knife.
’She’s the one who loved me for all those years. No matter how much she hated me, she’d always given me another chance. I coasted on that luck for so many years, safe and sound. So why? Why won’t she give me another chance this time?’
’She said she couldn’t live without me, that she was willing to do and give anything for me, even her life. So why has she so easily taken someone else’s hand and left me stranded here?’
Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd once more. Leona Grant didn’t know what they had done.
’Did they kiss? Exchange vows? What does Annabelle Linton’s smile look like right now?’
He didn’t know.
He had no way of knowing, nor did he dare to find out.
All he felt was his heart aching, aching so badly he became numb to the very sensation of pain.
’I just want to get out of here. Far, far away, so I never have to see them again.’
Their bliss formed a stark contrast to his agony. The more happiness and hope they felt, the more his own world filled with heartache and despair.
Leona Grant slowly closed his eyes and walked on.
’I can’t find the words to describe this relationship, nor do I know how to face it. All I know is that she smiles so easily for others, but never for me. Not even once.’
’I could have been a father by now, but I never cherished the chance when it was right in front of me.’
’I thought she’d wait for me forever, always in the same spot. But I forgot... she’s a person, too. She eats when she’s hungry, drinks when she’s thirsty, and when she gets tired, she lets go.’
’Someone as overly sensitive and deeply insecure as me has to possess the one they love. Annabelle Linton, you probably don’t know this, but back when you were so incredibly good to me, I actually started to waver.’
’I was just so afraid that if I fell in love with you, you would leave. I never expected that day would actually come.’
’Forget it. I’m done agonizing over it.’
’If we can’t even be friends, it’s better to be nothing at all. If we can’t be lovers, it’s better to let go with grace.’
’If I’m destined to never have you, then how about I just let you go and live your life?’
’I hope you’ll be happy in a life without me.’
’The next time we meet, you have to tell me that you’re happy.’
’You fool... you have to be happy.’
’Otherwise, how could you ever make my staying away worthwhile?’
’If you ever get tired, just look back.’
’I’ll always be standing right behind you.’
