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Chapter 82
\Tap, tap, tap—
Click, click, click—
The sound of heels followed him at a steady rhythm. Bern ignored it, even though he knew someone was persistently trailing him.
“Bern, I’m tired.”
The voice from behind made him flinch.
“Bern, I said I’m tired! Can we go a little slower?”
Now he could hear hurried footsteps running. Bern frowned and looked back.
There stood Celine, beautifully dressed.
Since the day she had visited the marquis’s house, Celine had been lingering around Bern. At first, it was just letters, gifts, and requests for meetings, but Bern had refused to see her.
Eventually, realizing her usual approaches didn’t work, Celine went so far as to follow him around. Of course, without interfering with his schedule.
But today, she was bolder than before. Last time, she only ran into him at a café; this time, she even spoke to him.
If her goal was to get his attention, she had completely succeeded.
From the moment Celine appeared, all of Bern’s senses were drawn to her—but he didn’t show it.
He intuitively knew that once he started giving in, it would all collapse quickly. So he decided to show no reaction at all.
She’ll get tired and give up soon enough.
Ignoring Celine’s voice from behind, Bern quickened his pace.
Celine hurried to catch up, but due to the height difference, it was a struggle.
Watching Bern’s figure slowly recede, Celine bit her lower lip tightly.
I can’t give up now.
She couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.
As she tried to sprint in her impatience, her foot caught on a stone curb.
“Ah!”
Celine let out a short scream as she fell to the ground.
“Ugh…”
Pain radiated through her palms and knees. But worse than that, her ankle began throbbing.
Lifting the hem of her dress, she saw her shoes off and her feet scratched in several places. Touching her ankle, she felt heat and swelling starting to rise.
She had twisted it during the fall.
Celine tried to stifle the groan rising in her throat and get up, but she couldn’t stand properly.
The mess of her body and the pain at every point made her want to cry—but more importantly, she couldn’t afford to lose Bern.
Just as she lifted her head desperately, a shadow fell right in front of her.
“Celine! Are you okay?”
Bern, who had been far away, had run over in no time.
Seeing his anxious expression after he had previously ignored her, Celine was momentarily speechless.
“Let me see your hands! They’re all scraped up! And your feet—what happened? Did you sprain your ankle?”
Before Celine could respond, Bern checked her thoroughly.
His concerned gaze and anxious manner were exactly like they had been during their romantic days.
Seeing herself reflected in his green eyes beyond the glasses, Celine bit her lower lip tightly.
Thank goodness… he still cares for me…
Though she had vowed to make him come back to her, seeing Bern ignore her without a word had made her anxious.
She had feared he had forgotten her, that she no longer mattered to him.
But Bern hadn’t forgotten. She could tell just by looking into his eyes.
Relief washed over her, and the tension she had been holding back erupted, bringing tears she couldn’t control.
Bern, clearly flustered by her tears, didn’t know what to do.
“Does it hurt much? Where does it hurt?”
“It’s not that…”
Celine couldn’t continue speaking through her tears, making Bern even more anxious.
Unable to bear it any longer, Bern picked her up.
“Be-Bern!”
Her tears instantly stopped. Floating unexpectedly in his arms, Celine struggled, then reflexively hugged him back.
“My carriage is nearby. Let’s go there first.”
Bern’s firm tone quickened their pace.
Even though Celine was hurt, this situation could easily be misinterpreted by others.
Celine didn’t want to embarrass him, even though she wanted him back.
She quickly glanced around. Luckily, no one was nearby. She looked up slowly, feeling relieved.
Bern’s expression was stern as he looked straight ahead. Realizing he was angry, Celine quietly closed her mouth.
Sniffling softly, she tried to contain herself. Bern frowned further at her faint sobs and increased his pace.
Soon, they reached the carriage. Bern immediately ordered the driver to take them to a hospital.
“Let me see your ankle.”
He tried to examine her condition again, but Celine hesitated and remained silent.
Seeing her silent when she usually spoke so actively, Bern grabbed her foot.
“Wait a second!”
Before she could protest, Bern lifted her small foot.
Though her petticoat might be exposed, he focused only on her ankle.
Her ankle was bruised and swelling already.
“It’s already swelling.”
“Ugh…”
The pain pressed against Bern’s hand, making him extra careful.
“Why did you follow me? You should’ve just given up by now.”
“…I didn’t want to lose you like this.”
Her melancholic voice made Bern look up. Her eyes, slightly red from crying, made him clench his fists instinctively.
“This is the only time. Next time, even if you’re hurt and chase me, I won’t react. So stop here.”
“No.”
“Celine!”
“No! This is my chance to reset everything to square one. Do you think I’ll let it pass? I may seem reckless to you, but I’m desperate.”
Seeing her eyes made Bern turn away quickly, afraid he would waver.
“It’s useless. I’m engaged to Lucia now.”
Celine’s heart sank. She spoke urgently:
“What? B-But last time, it wasn’t confirmed yet…!”
“…It was decided after you left. We’re coordinating the wedding date, so it can’t be undone.”
“After I… left?”
“Yes.”
Seeing his indifferent golden eyes, without a hint of concern, Celine doubted if this really was the Bern she knew.
How… how could he… right after I left…
Engaged to Lucia wasn’t surprising, but confirming the engagement after meeting her was shocking.
Why would he choose another woman’s hand?
And I’m right here in front of him…
The pain in her chest outweighed the scrapes and twisted ankle.
“Marquis, we’ve arrived at the hospital.”
The carriage stopped after a suffocating silence.
“Forget that for now. Let’s get treatment first.”
As Bern tried to support her, Celine instinctively pushed his hand away.
“I… I can do it myself.”
Avoiding his gaze, she stood precariously, pale-faced. Bern quickly grabbed her.
“Don’t be stubborn. Hold my hand. You can’t even stand properly.”
Celine finally looked at him, her eyes tearful but without tears.
“Even now, you’re kind. I can’t live without your words…”
With Bern’s grip relaxing, she left him in the carriage and limped toward the hospital.
Just before entering, she bowed her head, rubbed her eyes, and looked back.
I won’t give up on you…
Celine looked especially fragile. Bern instinctively reached out, only realizing his action after the hospital doors closed.
He had mentioned the engagement to push her away intentionally. He couldn’t let her sway him; he needed to break off the relationship coldly.
Yet, the image of her wounded face lingered in his mind.
“…Damn it!”
Rarely, Bern cursed and ran his hands through his hair.
Haah…
A deep, heavy sigh echoed through the office.
Haah…
Hearing it again, Arista put down her documents and looked toward the source.
Lucas was slouched in his chair, carrying the weight of the world on his face.
“Why am I still employing this guy?”
Nearby, Ares glared at Lucas with cold eyes. Days of Lucas’s sighing had pushed Ares to his limit.
Even when he barely did his work, Lucas managed to complete it while looking miserable.
Asking him what was wrong would have been simple, but Lucas would pester endlessly, so Ares didn’t even want to speak.
Finally reaching his limit, Ares seriously considered firing Lucas.
Noticing Ares’s intention immediately, Arista rolled her eyes and subtly approached him.
“I’ll talk to my brother. Go take a break and clear your mind.”
Ares, after briefly staring at Arista, nodded while glaring at the dazed Lucas.
“…Yeah, that’d be better for my sanity.”
Ares got up slowly, eyes still dull.
“Don’t listen to him too much. Just let things slide. Or he’ll get used to it.”
“I’ll handle it.”
Feeling a strange sympathy, Ares clicked his tongue at Lucas and quickly left.
Lucas, lost in his world, sighed again.
“Ahem!”
Arista cleared her throat and tapped Lucas’s desk. Lucas, startled, looked at her.
“Brother, is something bothering you these days?”
“Nothing…”
“Nothing? You sigh every day.”
Lucas awkwardly scratched the back of his head and sighed.
“See? You’re doing it now too.”
Noticing Arista pointing it out, Lucas realized he had sighed.
“Yeah… since when did this start?”
“For a while. If you have something on your mind, share it. It might help.”
“But…”
“One more sigh and Ares might fire you.”
Ares was that kind of person. Lucas peeked to check, thankfully he wasn’t there.
After a moment’s hesitation, Lucas finally spoke.
