Chapter 12
Matthew was forcibly driven out of the hospital by Daphne’s brother, Jonathan
He longed to see Daphne again, but Jonathan’s ultimatum was clear–Matthew was not to approach her anymore.
Dragging his battered body out of the hospital, Matthew’s mind swirled with a flood of memories, though the dominant feelings were guilt and self–reproach.
He knew all too well that everything was his fault. It was his neglect that had pushed
Daphne into the depths of despair.
Matthew stumbled back to the Roberts estate, only to realize that everything in the house
had subtly changed.
Hearing him return, Charlotte hurried down the stairs with excitement.
“Matthew, you’re back!” she called cheerfully.
But Matthew, consumed by the weight of Daphne’s lost memories, had momentarily forgotten about this woman in his home.
Charlotte noticed the blood on the corner of Matthew’s mouth and reached out to take his
hand, her concern apparent. “What happened to your face?”
Her expression showed a hint of worry, but to Matthew, that concern seemed utterly false.
His eyes were vacant as he forcefully pulled his hand away without even glancing at her.
“Charlotte, what did you say during the wedding?” His voice was low and frigid, carrying
the weight of a brewing storm.
A flicker of panic crossed Charlotte’s face, but she quickly regained her composure.
“Matthew, you must have misheard. I didn’t say anything at all.”
The fury within Matthew finally erupted. Striding toward Charlotte, he seized her by the throat and pinned her against the wall.
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Forsaking the Years of Longing
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Chapter 12
“Charlotte, did you really think I wouldn’t know? I heard every single word you said at the wedding, loud and clear!”
Charlotte, choking under his grip, struggled to speak, her face turning red from the lack of air. She forced out her words, one at a time.
“Matthew… you’ve misunderstood. I didn’t mean any harm. I just… I just love you so much and wanted you to spend more time with me. That’s all…”
Matthew cut her off, his grip tightening unconsciously. His voice dripped with anger and disappointment.
“That’s all? You pretended to be gravely ill just to manipulate me?”
Charlotte was on the verge of passing out when Matthew finally released her.
She collapsed to the floor, gasping for air, her face a mix of fear and bewilderment.
“You don’t understand how much I love you!” she cried, her voice trembling as if trying to justify herself, though it sounded pitifully weak.
Matthew paid her no mind and turned toward the stairs.
His thoughts were consumed by memories of Daphne–her smile, her tears, and the vows they once shared.
Each step he took felt unbearably heavy, as if weighed down by stones pressing against his
heart.
When he opened the door to the bedroom, his heart sank even further.
The room was unrecognizable, devoid of any trace of Daphne.
Her clothes, her books, even her favorite novel–all gone.
No matter how much Matthew searched, there was no sign of her. Not even a single photograph remained.
A profound sense of loss engulfed him, as though his entire world had crumbled in that
moment.
Chapter 12
He slumped to the floor, overwhelmed by memories of the day he proposed to Daphne by
the sea.
“Daphne, I swear to love you forever and make you as happy as you are today.”
“Then you better keep your word.”
Tears slipped from the corners of his eyes. When he opened them again, Daphne’s radiant smile was gone, replaced only by the emptiness of the room.
“Daphne… I broke my promise…”
