登入“You don’t get to decide that for me, River,” I whispered, the pain and anger evident in my voice. “It’s not your decision to leave me to grieve for you like that!”I sobbed, and my voice was breaking. I know that I look like shit right now, but I can’t control myself, either. So many things happened, and now, River is alive?I am more than grateful, but at the same time, I’m so fucking mad because of how he played with my feelings. I understand it was for me, but for him, do I look like a child who always needs his protection?I’m the Princess of France, and soon to be the queen.I may have been a helpless woman before when I was still under Eleanor and Ricardo’s care… But those were all in the past.“I know, Princess,” he answered in a low tone, his voice filled with guilt and regret. “I’m sorry for all the things I’ve done.”He took a step closer, and now, I could feel his breathing against the skin on my face.“I’m sorry for the deal I made back then. Even if it’s for you, I co
My vision blurred instantly with tears.This can’t be true. River… died in front of me.Is my mind playing with me again? Is this another part of my hallucination?I blinked as many times as I could, but he didn’t disappear from my sight. He also didn’t move closer or even do anything to reach out.He stood still, staring at me.“Seraphina,” he muttered softly, and I swear that I heard the subtle pain in his voice. “I’m back.”His calling my name was more than enough for me to lose my sanity. Or at least, I thought I was going crazy.Everything felt real. Even his voice… It feels like he’s really here in front of me.“This fucking fatigue is getting way out of hand…” I muttered as I stumbled back slightly, tears streaming down my face. “You’re dead. I watched you die. I even attended your burial…”My voice was mixed with shock and confusion. And to be honest, I don’t understand what I’m feeling right now.Should I be happy? Because every time that I feel hopeful that he’s in front of
A silver ring.“Hmm?” I frowned, looking at the ring, which was already in my palm. “But this isn’t mine.”“Oh… Really?” I saw how Melanie blinked her eyes in mixed shock and confusion, even slightly tilting her head. “But the janitor who asked for help said that it was in the Mausoleum earlier.”“It is?” It was my turn to be confused. “But I’m alone in that place—”My words halted when, suddenly, I remembered something.“That wasn’t my hallucination…” I muttered, biting my lower lip as I remembered the warmth I felt at that time. “This ring… It belongs to him.”I’ve seen this ring a lot back when we were in America. I believe he purchased it from that place, and not in France.“Pardon, Your Highness?”I didn’t answer. Instead, my body froze as I forgot to breathe for a second, a sudden realization coming into my mind.There’s no doubt. It’s him. River.But how could that even happen?*****After two days, the doctor had already approved my discharge from the hospital. I returned to t
Upon hearing those words, I opened my eyes immediately, the confusion evident in my expression.What? He’ll come back to get me?How could that even happen if he’s already no longer in this world?“River?” I called in a low tone as my body froze.At that moment, I didn't know what to feel. The warmth coming from beside me was so real. I also held his hand and heard his voice.What if the man beside me… was really River?Could it be possible, or am I just lucid dreaming right now?I took a deep breath and looked at my waist. Still, the hands were enveloping my waist, not too tight but not too loose, either.My heart pounded loudly, like it was about to go out of my chest. I could also feel the sweat accumulating on my forehead, not because I was afraid, but because I was hoping too much.“River!” I called, my heart hopeful as I turned around.But as soon as I did that with my lips curved into a smile, I saw nothing.I was alone in the mausoleum. The weather is still gloomy, and it loo
“No!” I heard him scream and slam the glass wall, but I still opened the door, not looking back.I could hear the police running inside, stopping Hans from whatever he was doing, but I didn’t care anymore.I want nothing from him.“You can hate me, destroy me, or ruin me whenever you want. Just don’t… Don’t leave…”Upon hearing those words, something twisted painfully in my chest.It’s not because I pitied him, but because his last words were the same as what I kept telling River.No one could explain how painful it was to know that River was gone from this world.And nothing, not even Hans’ downfall, could bring him back.“Goodbye, Hans,” I said for the last time before going outside the door, finally leaving the place where I had taken my strength before.For the first time, before I finally left the prison, Hans looked like a man who had lost everything.Not his empire, money, or influence—but me.And somehow, that loss was finally enough to break him.*****After my last visit to
“Obsession or not, do you think that matters?” Hans chuckled, not even trying to understand the words I was saying. “What’s important is that I want you.”He added, “That’s what women wanted, right? Affection.”“Not to that extent.” I gritted my teeth, my grip tightening at the fabric of my skirt. “You forced me to be yours. You contributed a lot to destroying my life.“And I would destroy the world if it meant keeping you beside me,” he replied without hesitation.My stomach churned.At that moment, I wondered if the man I was talking to was really a human or a devil.Because no ordinary human would think that way.“There’s something deeply wrong with you…” I whispered, yet because of the microphone, it became so loud.Hans’ devilish smile widened. “Yes. There is. And that’s the fact that I love you more than I love myself.”Those words unsettled me more than anger would have. I couldn’t speak as my gaze couldn’t be fixated on anything. It was moving every second, causing Hans to kn
I shook my head, sobbing as River took the blow. I even noticed just now that there was blood at the corner of his mouth.He didn’t look at Dad, but at me.“Don’t be afraid. I’ll always be with you,” he said hoarsely, the sincerity evident in his voice. “I meant every word.”Dad didn’t like what he
My eyes widened at the realization that this could be harder on him than it is for me now. “I-I’m sorry!”I was about to move my body away, but suddenly, I looked at his lips and felt the overall warmth I had in his presence.I suddenly thought about all of the things I needed to choose, not becau
That was something River wasn’t able to answer immediately.After all, even if he couldn’t see himself in front of the mirror, I knew he felt something different in his body now.I held his forehead, and I’m right. He was burning. His skin was becoming paler, too.What was in that water?“Go to you
“Serenity!”I heard my mom’s voice and her footsteps toward my direction, along with the other maids, who noticed that I was already sitting on the floor. My knees became weak as my body shivered.I don’t even have the strength to get up now, especially not with anyone’s help.“What happened? Why a







