Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 124
Adeline woke up, gasping for breath. Her hand was tightly gripping Shaneās collar. Shane had his eyes closed, holding her close. Adeline rested her head on his firm arm, careful not to wake him with her breathing.
āDoes his face emit negative ions or somethingā¦?ā
Watching him made her feel strangely calm. Maybe it really was true.
As if entranced, Adeline reached out and gently traced Shaneās eyebrows with her thumb. His delicate features, which could easily appear too refined, were given a strong and sharp impression by his eyebrows.
She had always found it amusing how only one of his eyebrows would arch whenever something displeased him. She used to laugh to herself, wondering if that was some kind of male lead specialty since she was young.
Shane Blanchard was a consistent person.
Chasing after Adeline, who kept running away and pushing him away, he had always straightforwardly said he liked her, that he loved only her.
It was just that Adeline never believed him.
Looking back, Shane had always done his best to love her.
How could someone be so unwavering?
If Adeline were Shane, she would have long since lost all affection for a troublesome woman like herself.
She had never believed his words of love, had staged the most elaborate scam of the century, ran away, and even left him with trauma. She had lied so much that he couldnāt believe anything she said anymore, yet she had even made him beg for her to say she loved him.
āWhat on earth does he like about meā¦?ā
The more she thought about it, the worse it seemedā¦?
How is it even possible to love someone like herā¦?
On the other hand, Shane had countless qualities that made him lovable.
At least, to Adeline, he did.
He was impressively capable, almost annoyingly so, as if nothing was ever difficult for him. His awareness of his own brilliance made his indifference to others’ attention endearingly arrogant, and even his occasional irritability and sensitivity were lovable.
Despite acting as if duties and responsibilities meant nothing to him, he faithfully carried out his given role and took responsibility for those under him as if it were only natural.
Shane didnāt show obvious kindness, but he was a fair superior.
He didnāt take out his emotions on those weaker than him and judged others with precise fairness.
That was why, despite his indifferent attitude, people kept gathering around him.
Moreover, Shane wasnāt just a cold-hearted person.
He was someone who could say he liked what he liked, someone who didnāt avoid or run away from love but faced it head-on and clung to it.
āHeās much more of a proper adult than I am.ā
Adeline found Shaneās devoted, gentle, and ultimately yielding nature endearing.
He could be a bit harsh at times.
But as long as he was kind to the person he lovedā¦
Adeline deliberately ignored the very large and important point: Shane loved her and only her. He could never hold such feelings for anyone else in this whole world.
If he had loved someone else instead of her, he would have found happiness long ago.
Still, she was glad that he hadnāt given up on her. It was a completely unreasonable selfishness.
āIām sorry for being such a botherā¦ā
Iām sorry for being such a troublesome person who canāt even tell you I love you. Adeline murmured softly.
She was the one who said they should be honest, yet she felt sorry for only telling lies.
Perhaps the reason she couldnāt reveal the truth was simply that she lacked courage.
Since so many parts of the nightmare had changed, even if she did tell the truth, they might not all die. But Adeline couldnāt bear to take that risk, even if it was a one-in-a-million chance.
Reality was not a dream.
She had resolved to kill the sorcerer, but ifā¦
āIf I canāt kill her, does that mean Iāll die?ā
Knowing that person had to die, she couldnāt bring herself to do something as cruel as confessing her feelings to Shane when everythingās still so uncertain.
Occasionally exchanging kisses and playful banter might have shown her feelings, butā¦
āEven if I donāt say it, itās not much different from expressing my love with my whole body.ā
She knew it was irresponsible, but she couldnāt help it. She couldnāt bear it any other way. Unlike in the dream, Adeline needed reassurance that Shane loved her. She wanted to know that this was reality.
In doing so, she ended up toying with him in a way.
What kind of wretched person plays with someoneās heart without giving them a clear answer?
āIf youāre sorry, then hug me.ā
āā¦You werenāt asleep?ā
āI woke up.ā
āThen why were you keeping your eyes closed?ā
Feeling embarrassed for being caught talking to herself, Adeline snapped, but Shane replied as if it were the most obvious thing.
āBecause you were touching me. Why would I do something as foolish as interrupting that?ā
āā¦Youāve gotten better at acting cuteā¦ā
āIāve learned that this works best. Youāre weak to my face, arenāt you?ā
Shane smiled like a big cat, playfully showing affection. What a brazen, self-assured person.
āIf you pity me, kiss me, Adeline. Thatās all I need.ā
The most straightforward, shameless person in the worldā¦
Adeline smiled bitterly and kissed the lips of the man who looked so pitiful.
