No matter how I defended myself, he refused to believe me.
In the end, I stopped hoping and gave up the struggle.
I thought my indifference would awaken the love he had for me, but I overestimated my place in his heart.
Now I finally understood that the most important person to Kenneth had always been himself.
Kenneth let out a bitter laugh. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
“Rest in peace, Irene. Agnes will never walk free from prison for the rest of her life!”
I scoffed. Kenneth was still so arrogant.
1/2
Chapter 9
‘You were part of the reason I died. How do you plan to punish yourself?‘
Kenneth sighed as if he had heard my question. He began mumbling to himself.
+15 BONUS
“I’m sorry. I know no words or actions can make up for this. If you want to see me, come to the freezer. I’ll be living there from
now on.
“Every day, I look at the marks on the walls. I run my fingers over them. I know you must have suffered terribly back then.”
He pulled out a bottle of liquor and downed half of it in one go.
“I don’t deserve to lead the pack anymore. But no matter how many times I tried to step down, the others refused to let me go.
“Irene, I’m so tired. I’m exhausted. Could you visit me in a dream just once? Forgive me. I miss you so much. I just want to see you again. I want to see the way your eyes curve when you smile.”
I listened in silence as the wind carried his voice away.
A gentle breeze passed by. Let’s just forget each other.
We were both wrong for clinging to love and for longing and yearning too much.
We paid a hefty price. We had already suffered more than enough in this lifetime.
All I wished for in my next life was to fulfill my own dreams with fewer delusions about love.
‘Kenneth, I sincerely hope you can carry the weight of your responsibilities.
‘Lead your people. Let them thrive and multiply. Keep them safe for generations to come.
‘Farewell, forever.‘
