After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 243

Dehart gripped the towel, moving his dry lips slightly. A silver gleam swirled within his golden eyes. The sight was so breathtaking that Sebelia found herself staring, mesmerized.

She missed his first words entirely.

“…Are you going?”

“Huh?”

Coming to her senses, Sebelia felt the heat rising in her neck again and blinked. Before she could even process her embarrassment, Dehart asked again.

“Are you really going with him?”

Beneath slightly furrowed brows, his trembling eyes looked painfully small and vulnerable.

His hand, carefully wiping her forehead, fell limply to his side. The towel landed with a soft plop, and Dehart placed both his arms alongside her knees.

“Bella.”

Like he wanted to trap her in his arms, his entire being radiated the desire to hold her close, yet his golden eyes clung to her unwaveringly.

Sebelia stared at him in silence. In her blue eyes, dark emotions rippled beneath the surface. After a brief pause, she spoke.

“He said he searched for me his entire life.”

“…….”

“Without knowing my name or what I looked like, he held onto a fragile hope that I was alive and tirelessly searched for me. He endured the thought that someday he’d bring me home… Dehart. He endured too. Just as I endured all those long years, so did he.”

Her gentle voice wrapped Balak in warmth, and that only deepened Dehart’s despair.

Family—true family. Dehart could not stand against them. He had once been part of her family, but no longer. And he likely never would be again.

Because I failed and let her go.

A ripping sound came as the sofa creaked beneath his hands.

Startled, his golden eyes blinked rapidly. The towel that had fallen beneath the sofa was now covered in dust.

“I’m sorry.”

Dehart murmured, picking up the towel. His low voice had a sharp edge. He bit his lip and stood.

“I’ll change the water… no, I’ll replace it all.”

He didn’t want her to see his face. As he bent to turn away, Sebelia snatched his wrist. The strong wrist trembled just slightly.

“Leave it. You might get dust on your hands. The towel’s dirty.”

Dehart barely heard her words. He was too consumed by guilt and regret, struggling even to breathe.

But Sebelia would not relent.

“Dehart.”

“…….”

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“What can I say? Even if you asked whether I had the right to, I couldn’t answer.”

His voice fell like ice. Golden eyes, staring at his held hand, shimmered with a cold light. It could have been misunderstood, but Sebelia now knew the chill was not directed at her.

How could she not understand? The pulse beating so strongly beneath her hand spoke his truth.

She summoned a small measure of courage. Or rather, as Claude had said, she chose to be bold.

“I want to hear it.”

“What?”

“I want to hear what you want to say.”

She added.

“What you need to say to hold me. I want to hear that.”

Dehart’s eyes widened. Mouth agape in disbelief, he shook his head and blinked repeatedly, as if trying to confirm whether this was reality.

It wasn’t a delusion or a dream. Surrounded by tangible reality, Dehart’s heart seemed to drop.

“Did I hear that right?”

“If your ears aren’t faulty like Claude’s, then yes.”

Sebelia smiled faintly as she tightened her hold on his hand. The pressure was slight, like a cat grasping with its paws. Still, Dehart slid closer and sat beside her.

“Bella, I…”

As he carefully turned toward her on the dented sofa, she heard a sudden commotion.

“I’ve waited for a long time.”

Claude’s voice announced briskly, and he flung open the door. Behind him were a weary-looking Watts and a sullen Balak.

“…We’ll have to continue this after you’re examined.”

Claude whispered sullenly. Sebelia swallowed a laugh and watched as Dehart, who had gone to greet her uncle and her real cousin, disappeared from view.

“Everyone except Dr. Watts, please leave. And Mr. Appenz, no matter how concerned you are about your niece, do you realize that what she needs most right now is absolute calm?”

Confronted with an enemy, Sebelia slowly closed her eyes, resting her hand on her fevered forehead. The voices rattled around her ears.

Yes, that man didn’t suit looking glum.