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XV. Empty House
Riley had many sleepless nights and the last one was painstakingly long. It is not because his nipa hut bowed to the storm five days ago. Neither does it have something to do with Marika. Indeed, he was not even hurt by Captain Arturo’s declaration of sending Marika to study in Japan. After all, Riley is used to Captain Arturo’s claim that Marika will not have a good future if she will end up with a useless man like him. It did not move him either make him remorseful that Marika left after their slight argument.
Insecurities surrounded Riley. He didn’t notice himself plunging to it uninvited. A poignant possibility just hit him like a deer caught in the red light. What if falling in love with Essi also meant having her away from him? What if Essi also needs to return to Bordeaux at the expense of his trust? What if Essi was altogether wrong in believing that he is Oneil? What if he will also be left as a hapless man as he is now? All of these questions are a
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