Charlotte Alston originally wanted to leave this heart-wrenching city, but she ended up getting hit by a car. Just before her death, she vaguely heard her ex-husband's voice.
"Charlotte!"
"Open your eyes and look at me!"
"I command you, look at me!"
Nathaniel Harrison's voice was both urgent and angry, screeching harshly. Feeling uncomfortable, Charlotte wrinkled her brows and slowly opened her eyes, seeing a cold, handsome face. It was Nathaniel. At this moment, his face was full of worry, his eyes rimmed red, and his body was trembling.
Charlotte did not know what he was afraid of, nor did she understand why the eyes that used to be cold and emotionless were now showing such deep fear.
"Nathaniel... Nathaniel..." Charlotte looked at him, attempting to call out his name, but she was in so much pain that she couldn't make a sound.
"Don't speak, listen to me!" Nathaniel tightly embraced her, holding her firmly in his arms. In that moment, Charlotte felt warm, completely unable to feel a trace of cold.
Into her ear came Nathaniel's strong and clear voice, word by word. "Charlotte, I regret it, I regret divorcing you!"
"I'm sorry. I knew then that you loved another, yet I insisted on using my influence to force you to marry me. You must despise me deeply in your heart, don't you, Charlotte?" Speaking, he hugged her even tighter, as if trying to meld her into his being.
"I'll let you in on a secret. During the two months you stayed at my house before your college entrance exams, I noticed you were unlike any other girl. I started to observe you and unknowingly started liking you. When I heard my parents were arranging our engagement, I didn't even object."
"After you finished your college exams, I followed my grandfather's arrangements and enlisted in the army. You probably thought we were forever worlds apart. But, little did you know, I've always been close by, serving in your city. Just before I finished my training or started a new mission, I would silently come to your school just to steal a glance at you, although you never noticed."
"During your four years in college, I was scared, afraid that I might die on a mission. So, I waited until you graduated, agreed to marry you, and decided to retire early from the military to join the family business. My grandfather gave me a severe reprimand, nearly banishing me from our home, saying I was disobedient and disgracing our family's honor. Still, I didn't regret my decision. I don't claim to be noble, but I am selfish. The team losing me is nothing big, but you only have one husband. If you marry me, my duty is to be your man, protect you, and adore you dearly."
"However, after marrying you, I realized I was blinded by my feelings." His voice abruptly trailed off. "For ten years, I've loved you. Although your response has always been absent, I do not regret it! At least I once called you mine, you were once the wife of Nathaniel Harrison."
"In the two years since our divorce, I've been pondering on something. Did I not do enough to warm your heart? Is that why you were insistent on divorcing me?"
"Charlotte, having met you in this lifetime is my fortune. In the next life, I just want you to be happy. I hope you won't know me. I hope my love won't hurt you. I'd be content to just have a little corner where I could watch you in secret."
Nathaniel tightly clenched his fist, pronouncing each word very seriously and stubbornly, his bloodshot eyes stared straight at Charlotte's pale face. His eyes shimmered with a tenderness that could melt anyone but were only meant for her.
After he finished speaking, his eyes moistened, and he uncontrollably shed a tear, his eyes full of pain. The tear splashed on Charlotte's face; it was hot. The burning sensation made her feel uncomfortable in her heart. She wanted to speak, but she was out of strength. She knew she was dying. However, she never expected that Nathaniel would love her this much. To have a man who loved her this much in this world seemed to make it worthwhile. If there's a next life, she only hoped he could still love her like this, and she would not let him down.
Charlotte's eyelids grew weaker. Using up her last strength, she whispered, "Nathaniel, I'm sorry..."
In the end, she closed her eyes, slightly curved her lips, and waited for death to come.
