That fateful day, if he had not pushed her away for Sara's sake, the child growing inside her might have been born safely. The memory of the unborn child caused a mist to form in the corners of his eyes. The truth was, he had driven her away not because of Sara, but because he could not bear to face her. After discovering the horrific truth about his parents' untimely death, he was haunted by vivid images of the accident. He knew he should not blame her, and he did not. But as she had once said, it was like a persistent thorn lodged in his heart, impossible to remove.He felt the need to step back, to give himself time to extract that painful thorn. Yet, he could not bring himself to let her go. He knew deep down that he could not live without her. So, he fought desperately to hold onto her, gripping her tightly. Even if it meant both of them would end up in anguish, he could not bear to let go of her.He leaned back in his chair, lost in thought for a long while before finally start

As Kisa started to walk away, she was suddenly pulled back into place.Gilbert firmly held her hand once again, addressing Sara. "You were injured while saving me, so in a way, I owe you my life. Tell me what you want. If it's within my means, I'll give it to you."Sara's voice caught in her throat, her expression growing even more heart-wrenching. Tears streamed down her face as she asked him, "Do you really believe I saved you just to receive something in return? After all these years, haven't you figured out how I feel about you?""Initially, you helped me. Later, to save you from trouble, I became your boyfriend in name only. You know very well that we never shared a deeper connection," he recounted.Back in school, he had accidentally misplaced the birthday gift Kisa had given him. Sara found it, and to show his gratitude, he promised to do her a favor. Not long after, she asked him to become her boyfriend in name only, claiming she was overwhelmed by her numerous admirers, wh

"Kelvin! Kelvin!"A wave of panic laced Gilbert's voice as it echoed through the room. With urgency, Kelvin sprang to his feet and rushed outside. "What happened? Why did she faint again?""I don't know. You need to examine her."Outside, the frantic voices of the two men filled the air. Kisa, hugging her knees, sat in a daze for a moment before slowly rising and making her way out.Sara had collapsed, her slender frame sprawled on the couch. Her injuries peppered her lower back, arms, and shoulders. The numerous wounds covered a vast area. Months had passed since the explosion, yet her injuries stubbornly refused to heal. The festering wounds created a grotesque sight from afar.Seeing her wounds in this state for the first time, surprise flickered across Gilbert's face, followed by a deep scowl. "Weren't you treating her? Why—""I'm at a loss myself. These are superficial injuries, nothing I can't handle. I've regularly provided her with ointments and reminded her to avoid wate

A bustling silhouette reflected on the kitchen's glass door. Intrigued, Gilbert walked over and slid it open.Sara instantly greeted him with a radiant, tender smile. "You're awake! I made breakfast, so go freshen up and we can eat." Her hands moved with practiced grace as she prepared the meal.Gilbert could not take his eyes off her, and for a fleeting moment, she morphed into Kisa in his mind. Now, even the simplest scene seemed beyond his reach.Suddenly, a pair of delicate hands encircled his arm. Sara gazed at him with worry. "Gilbert, what's wrong? Did you not sleep well?"With stoic composure, Gilbert gently pulled his arm away."It was Kisa who asked you to stay," he said quietly.Sara's lips tightened, her head lowered, appearing both vulnerable and blameless."I know. None of you ever welcomed me. From the start, I've always been an unwanted presence.""What is it that you want?" Gilbert inquired, a hint of detachment in his voice. "Aside from love, I can give you an

After a long, intensely passionate moment, Kisa finally found a deep slumber in the latter part of the night. Gilbert tenderly held her delicate hand in his, marveling at the daintiness of her fingers. He could not believe that this was the woman he had adored since their youth. Despite the many trials and tribulations they had faced, he could not help but feel grateful that fate had brought them back together.He pulled her closer, her body enveloped in his warm embrace. Softly, he whispered into her ear, "Together, we will find true happiness."She seemed to have heard him, murmuring a gentle "Mm," like a content kitten snuggled in his arms.The next morning, Kisa awoke to find Gilbert gazing at her with a look filled with passion and intensity.Startled, she asked, "What's going on?"Gilbert flashed a playful grin."Nothing, just admiring how angelic you look when you are asleep."Kisa looked away, not responding. Lately, she had become more introverted; in the past, she woul