After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 340 - The End

“It was never for my mother’s sake. Never.”

Even swept up by a flood of confusing emotions, that much was painfully clear to her.

“He probably named me without thinking. Maybe my mother just stuck in his mind, so when the time came, he gave me the first name that came to him. But…”

That name—her name—was the one her mother had chosen for her, filled with love and longing.

And just knowing that, Sebelia felt as if all the terrible memories and hateful associations clinging to her name had finally fallen away. It wasn’t a name given by the family that had hurt and used her, but by the mother who had loved and cherished her.

“So you can call me by that name. In fact, please—just say it once.”

“Bella.”

“Don’t pretend you can’t.”

She insisted again and again. But Dehart stayed silent, his arms tightening around her the more she pleaded, until Sebelia finally played her trump card.

“I know you call me by my old name in your dreams sometimes, and then wake up feeling guilty.”

“…”

“And I know you sneak out at night, too. At first, I thought you were off to another one of your midnight escapades, and I actually ran to Sir Eli to ask about it.”

“What…”

“Did you really think I’d always sleep through the whole night without waking up?”

Dehart let out a long, defeated sigh, loosening his embrace and sitting up straighter. Sebelia immediately grabbed his hand.

“Just say it for me. Please.”

“But… it’s been so long.”

“I’m giving you permission.”

In the darkness, his golden eyes flickered with hesitation, guilt, sorrow, and a longing he couldn’t shake. For a long moment, those eyes wandered, until at last they settled on Sebelia’s.

“Dehart.”

Her blue eyes were deep and clear as a lake, stared back him. It was urging him to take the leap.

Dehart finally worked up the courage, wetting his dry lips, and let the long-forbidden name rise up. Whenever he called her by that name in his dreams, he’d always wake up to a rush of shame and anger. But facing Sebelia, those fears faded away.

He gripped her hand tightly, took a shaky breath, and let the words out.

“Sebelia.”

And this time, happiness replaced all the anger.

“Mm.”

Sebelia answered, beaming at him. Dehart could hardly breathe, stunned by a moment he’d never believed would come true.

“Sebelia.”

“Yes, Dehart. I’m right here.”

A chorus of night insects hummed in the distance, and the lantern by the gazebo cast their feet in warm light. Somehow, the whole scene felt almost unreal, and Dehart murmured without thinking,

“Kiss me.”

She pressed her lips softly to his, stealing his breath away with the sweetness and warmth of her touch. For a long, long moment, they were lost in a deep, lingering kiss that banished the night chill. When the world grew quiet again, Sebelia finally managed to break away.

“…No more, at least not until after the wedding. Got it?”

She said, gently pushing him away as Dehart looked longingly at her now-swollen lips.

He could only nod, then swept her up into his arms as they left the gazebo.

“You—again!”

“For the record, I can kiss you while carrying you. Stairs are no problem.”

His low voice teased her ear.

Sebelia shot him an incredulous look, but Dehart just smiled.

“Still, I’ll wait until the wedding. But please, forgive me a little for being clingy in the meantime.”

He lowered his head to press a gentle kiss to her forehead, murmuring softly,

“Alright? Sebelia?”

Instead of answering, Sebelia wrapped her arms around his neck. Dehart carried her inside, his heart full to bursting. Just having her in his arms, smiling up at him filled his heart.

Dehart was certain.

He’d never be haunted by nightmares again.