Chapter 7

Diana's POV

I covered my face as blood seeped through my fingers.

I looked at Damian's back and smiled.

"We're completely finished."

But Damian didn't turn around at all.

He grabbed Cecilia's wrist.

"Come on, I'll take you to the hospital."

He didn't even glance at me.

Just like that, supporting the softly sobbing Cecilia, he disappeared outside the door without looking back.

The room became completely quiet.

Only me, and that lonely paper bag lying at the doorway.

I slowly walked over and bent down to pick it up.

The bag's opening gaped open. Inside was a pair of men's underwear.

Familiar style, familiar color.

My fingers trembled. The paper bag slipped from my palm.

The underwear fell to the floor too, like a glaring stain.

I cried.

At first silently, only my shoulders shaking lightly.

Then I couldn't suppress it anymore. I bent over and crouched down, burying my face in my knees, sobbing loudly.

I don't know how long I cried.

Not until my throat was too hoarse to make sound and my tears seemed dried up did I fall asleep against the wall.

In my dream was a night from many years ago.

Damian clumsily climbed up to my family's windowsill, carefully protecting a somewhat wilted bouquet of roses in his arms.

Moonlight fell on his flushed face. He was so nervous his voice trembled.

"I'm sorry, Diana. I can't afford good ones now, but someday I'll buy you all the roses in the city."In the dream, I smiled as I accepted that less-than-fresh bouquet and gently tucked it into my hair, looking up at him.

"You've already given me the most beautiful roses in the world."

The breeze was light then, and his eyes were bright.

I truly believed we would go on like that forever.

But dreams eventually end.

I was awakened by the sound of the door opening.

Curled up on the floor, I opened my eyes to see Damian walking toward me.

His face showed fatigue, his eyes bloodshot.

He silently bent down, picked me up from the floor, and gently placed me back on the bed.

He sat on the edge of the bed. Only oppression remained between us.

After a long while, Damian finally spoke in a low voice.

"Diana, I never thought we'd become like this."

He reached out as if to touch my face, but stopped mid-air and finally withdrew his hand.

"I was too impulsive yesterday. I apologize."

His voice was hoarse.

"But you know Cecilia's parents were kind to me."

"They died early. I'm all she has left. I can't help but take extra care of her."

I slowly raised my eyes.

"Cecilia doesn't have parents..."

My voice was soft.

"What about my parents? They're gone too, aren't they? I won't have parents who love me anymore either."

I paused, my breathing slightly trembling.

"I trusted you so much, Damian. I placed all my hope in you, but you betrayed my trust."

Damian sighed and lowered his eyes.

"It's all my fault. Whatever anger, whatever hatred you have, direct it at me. Don't do anything to Cecilia. She's suffered enough already."

I looked at him quietly, as if truly seeing this person for the first time.

For Cecilia, he could actually go this far.

"Let's divorce."

I heard my own voice.

"I don't want anything."

Damian's expression changed drastically. He grabbed my hand tightly.

"I can agree to anything except divorce."

"Diana, I love you. If I didn't love you, I wouldn't keep coming back, and I certainly wouldn't have chosen to remarry you."

"Is this what you call love?"

I laughed out loud.

The atmosphere instantly froze.

Just then, Damian's phone rang.

He answered. Cecilia's panicked voice came through, full of tears.

"Damian, I woke up in the hospital and didn't see you. I was so worried, I tried to find you myself."

"But there was a rear-end collision on the road. I think I hit someone."

Damian's expression instantly tensed. He stood up abruptly.

"Don't panic. Stay where you are. I'm coming right now!"

He hung up and turned to look at me.

"Wait for me at home. I'll be back soon."

After saying this, without even waiting for my response, he turned and hurriedly left.

I didn't want to wait anymore.

The story between us should have ended long ago.

Since he wouldn't leave, I'd do it myself.

I picked up my phone, found the lawyer's number, and dialed.

When the call connected, my voice was unusually calm.

"Hello, Mr. Lee. I want to retain you to handle my divorce."

"I'll wait at home. Please bring the agreement when it's ready."

After hanging up, I looked out at the darkening sky.

This time, I would never look back.

But the lawyer never came. Damian came first.

When he pushed the door open, his face was haggard. Unshaven. Eyes threaded with red.

He stood at the entrance to the living room, his voice raw.

"Diana, let's talk."