There was a time when I believed I would love Luke for the rest of my life. But since arriving in Meldora, I hadn’t thought of him
once.
Just when I thought we’d never see each other again, a little girl approached me with a bouquet of roses and said, “Miss, this is from that man over there.”
I turned around, and there stood Luke, his eyes brimming with tears.
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Chapter 8
It had only been a month since I last saw him, but he looked like a completely different person. He had become gaunt and
haggard, his frame noticeably thinner.
I thought that seeing him again would make me scream, shout, or lose my mind.
But I did none of that. Instead, I simply looked at him calmly and said, “You found me after all.”
Luke’s gaze never wavered. It was as if he wanted to memorize every inch of my face and burn it into his soul.
“Natalie, even though you erased everything, the police helped me track down your new identity.
+15 Bonus
“I know I was wrong, but I’ve been going insane living this past month without you. Come back with me, please? I’ll spend the
rest of my life making it up to you. I love you.”
A surge of anger rose within me, and I glared at him with disgust. “Luke, how dare a despicable criminal like you trouble the
police?
“You’ll spend the rest of your life making it up to me? What makes you think your life is so valuable? Can it bring my mother
back? Can it regrow my legs? Your love is worthless—it makes me sick to my stomach.”
Luke’s eyes turned bloodshot.
For a long time, he was silent. Then, tears welled up in his eyes, and he sadly said, “You’re right. I’m a rotten man. I don’t deserve
your forgiveness.
“I’ve failed you and your mother, Natalie. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’ll atone for my sins. I won’t disturb you ever again.
“If there’s a next life, I hope you find happiness and never meet me again.”
I shot him a cold, mocking smile. Then, I walked away without looking back.
Even a second longer in his presence felt like breathing polluted air.
The next day, a large sum of money was deposited into my new account.
At the same time, breaking news hit the headlines.
The eldest son of the Quinton family, Luke Quinton, had taken his own life in Meldora.
A single bullet to the head.
Beside him was another body–the drunk truck driver who had caused my mother’s death.
Reports said that when Luke was found, he was tightly clutching a cheap, worn–out ring in his hand.
Meanwhile, the Quinton Group went bankrupt due to a financial collapse.
As I absorbed the news, I gently ran my fingers over my mother’s portrait.
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Chapter 8
I would carry her love with me as I stepped into my new life.
