NovelOnlineWhenever she recalled that he used to look at her with disdain, disgust, and contempt, it was hard for her to muster any confidence in him.
She imagined a time when she grew old and withered, her hair grey and her face wrinkled. She bet Leopold would find her disgusting and kick her to the curb, chasing after some young and vibrant thing.
"Let's be honest. If not for that mix-up of artificial insemination, | would've picked Arnold in a heartbeat between you two. He's been so much more reliable than you." A flush of anger invaded Leopold's gaze. "And how could you see him as more reliable than me?" He doubted her perception of seeing people.
Aurelia's eyes drifted to the distant horizon, where the sea met the sky, her voice as if carried by the waves, ethereal and lonely.
"In my darkest and most painful days, Arnold was there. He didn't back off when I couldn't walk. Instead, Arnold cared for me and cheered me up. Adversity reveals true friendship, and he was truly good to me. For that, I'm eternally grateful." She paused, a wistful sadness creeping onto her face, "And you? When | was most vulnerable and most in need, you handed me the divorce papers, ready to cut me loose. Maybe you had your reasons, but you never once considered how I'd feel or whether | could handle it. In your eyes, | was like an Iron Woman, so indestructible, feelingless, and painless. But to be your wife, I'd need a heart of steel, but | don't have one. My heart's flesh and blood and it bleeds and scars easily. That's why I've decided | can't be your wife anymore. Being alone seems just fine." Inside Leopold, a nerve twitched violently. Each word she spoke landed like a muffled blow to his chest. Fear crept in, leaving him restless and uneasy.
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Though she was close enough to touch, her heart seemed to drift further and further away as if it might vanish into thin air, beyond his reach forever.
"You've never balanced the scales for me. You've always tipped in Arnold's favor. No matter what | do, I'll never measure up in your eyes." His good mood had evaporated, leaving the sunshine, the blue sky, and the sea all shrouded in gloom.
She smiled indifferently. "Whatever you think doesn't matter to me." By maintaining peace of mind and choosing not to love or care for him, she could safeguard herself from potential hurt.
Leopold downed his champagne in one swallow and stood up.
"If you thought of marrying someone else, you better pray | die soon. As long as I'm breathing, that would never happen!" With those words, he left in anger.
Aurelia swirled the champagne in her glass, taking a slow and contemplative sip.
A bitter taste spread from her tongue to her heart.
Perhaps she and Leopold were meant to cross paths but never meant to be together again. Otherwise, why would they always end up apart? Leopold returned to his room. Aurelia's words echoed in his ears, his mind a mess, his heart pierced by a thousand blades.
The time he and Aurelia had spent together was short. He had never really had the chance to prove himself a good husband.
A profound unease settled over him. He feared that Aurelia might truly push him away, never to give him another chance.
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It's a hard task to win a heart, yet so painfully easy to lose one. He couldn't claim victory over her heart, though.
It had always been reserved for Arnold.
He was clueless about how to win her back.
As evening fell, the cruise ship returned to Elysium Harbor.
The word on Leopold was that he was out of danger but needed time to recuperate.
His prolonged absence only fueled speculation and whispers among the curious onlookers.
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