Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 60
***
Shane returned late that night.
Adeline, who had been lying in bed after a leisurely bath, opened her eyes at the sound of the door opening.
“I thought you were asleep.”
“I couldnāt sleep.”
Even with her eyes closed, she had too much on her mind to fall asleep.
Sitting up, Adeline stared at Shane. Seeing her freshly washed face like this now was more bearable than it had been during the day.
Still, her complexion was pale and bloodless.
Shane approached and examined the area around Adelineās neck. Adeline tilted her head back to make it easier for him to see. His careful touch brushed against her neck.
“No bruises. Thanks to a certain someone saving you right away, yes?”
“ā¦ā¦.”
“The doctor said you were fine too.”
There wasnāt even a mark where her neck had been grabbed. Even Lloyd, who was usually fussy, criticized the actions but didnāt worry about the injury.
The large hand that had been stroking her neck from below her ear to the muscle connecting her sternum and clavicle stopped. Despite the slow, threatening grasp, Adeline just watched. Looking straight into his sunken blue eyes, she smiled faintly.
“Do you want to kill me?”
“ā¦ā¦.”
“Then will you let me go?”
Adeline watched as Shane bit his lip.
She knew this would hurt him, but she couldnāt stop.
“Shane, tell me. What do I have to do for you to let me go?”
“Be quiet, Adeline.”
Shaneās jaw muscles tightened. The man gritted his teeth, trying to suppress his anger.
But his grip on her neck remained gentle.
“Iāll do whatever you want.”
“Shut up, please.”
“I reclaimed my name and didnāt oppose our marriage. What more do I need to do?”
There was no way to end this without causing pain.
Adeline intended to bide her time for a while.
Since there was no immediate way to escape, she planned to wait until Shane was satisfied.
She thought if she let him take his revenge, his anger might eventually subside.
Whether it was a longing for something he couldn’t have or revenge against the fiancĆ©e who deceived him, she hoped time would heal his heart.
But if what Shane held was loveā¦
Adeline could never accept it.
āYou said you wanted me to be unhappy. Should I cry? Should I beg while crying?ā
Adelineās voice broke. Shaneās voice wavered at the end, but Adeline didnāt stop.
āShould I get on my knees and beg you to divorce me? If thatās what it takes, Iāll do it.ā
The image of Shane smiling brightly as if he owned the world flickered before her eyes.
Adeline wished he would just keep being angry with her.
Instead of serving her like a dutiful attendant and staying by her side. Instead of watching over her under the guise of surveillance. Instead of holding her hand all night with tender care. Instead of showing desperation at the thought of her almost getting hurt.
He should have just been angry.
If he hadnāt shown that desperate paleness when she was almost hurt.
If he had just been angry like when they were children, she could have endured this peaceful time a bit longer.
āJust being here already makes me unhappy, so how else must I prove it to you, Shane?ā
āā¦ā¦.ā
āI really canāt stand it anymore, so please let me go, okay? Just stop, please. Iām begging you like thisā¦.ā
Adeline felt she could only live if she left Delmuz and couldnāt bear becoming a part of the ānarrativeā that was about to start again.
Kindness she couldnāt accept would only hurt Shane more. Adeline knew she had to push him away definitively.
A short laugh escaped from Shaneās lips, which had been expressionless.
ā…Do you think I would be hurt by mere words like that, Adeline?ā
ā……ā
āIf you thought I would divorce you just because of this, then youāve underestimated me.ā
This time, it was Adelineās turn to bite her lip.
Shane sneered as he spoke.
Predicting what he was about to say, Adeline squeezed her eyes shut.
āThe fact that I love you may still be horrifying to you.ā
āStop, please.ā
Shane kissed Adelineās closed eyes as he spoke.
āIāve already given up on being loved by you.ā
