Chapter 118
He buried his face into the curve of my neck, his warm breath igniting a wave of heat across my body.
Soft lips pressed against mine and I felt my breath slowly stolen away within the confines of his embrace.§
In the midst of this stolen moment, I heard him whisper. “Lyra, it took me twenty–five years to climb from nowhere to a place where I could stand by your side and protect you. Every single day over the past ten years, I hated myself for not having the power to shield you.“{
The Thorne Family, a symbol of power and prestige, stood at the pinnacle of society. For him to ascend from obscurity to his current position must have been an arduous journey. Yet, in his words, I could feel the weight of his sacrifices and determination laid bare. But he never spoke of his hardships or the dangers he faced. He only blamed himself for not appearing earlier in these ten years.
My heart trembled and before I realized it, tears rolled down my cheeks.
Apart from my father, I had never been cherished by someone so deeply.
The childhood stories Quillon recounted had long faded from my memory. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t recall them.” “You just need to remember every minute from now on,” he would always comfort me with those words.
Then, a day before the wedding, I had a dream.
In the dream, there was a bottomless icy lake. Quillon and Lucian stood on its edge, each asking me to save them. Without hesitation, I chose Quillon
But in the end, it was I who fell into the cold lake. The icy water pierced through my bones, but it made me remember everything.
At that time, the Thome Family’s illegitimate child had been relentlessly bullied and the main culprits were the legitimate sons of the Thorne Family.2
I couldn’t stand it even as a child. I secretly led Quillon through the small path into the venue.
Every time, he followed right behind me.
Later, when the Aldridge Family withdrew from the Thorne Family’s business and established their own, I moved from the northern hills to the southern city.2
I had forgotten about that dirty little one in the grand mansion on the mountain.}
“Little one, hurry up!“2
“Little one, there’s candy here!“}
***
I woke up and as I glanced at Quillon lying beside me, I realized that fate had caused us to miss each other for ten years.
Leaning over, I gently kissed his forehead.
‘Little one, it’s time to wake up.“>
The life that belonged to me had only just begun and the destiny that was meant for me had only just appeared.§ (The End)%
