Chapter 273
Macy was momentarily speechless. She didn’t know what expression to make.
If the reason for the imprisonment was rooted in losing a childhood friend and beginning to stain his hands with blood in revenge, or in protecting a secret that must never be revealed, then seeing Macy’s firm expression would surely hurt him.
But this was an incident she couldn’t stay calm about. Seeing Macy’s serious face, Eren let out a hollow, bitter laugh and continued.
“Besides, the situation’s only gotten worse. So leave.”
After saying that, Eren turned his gaze fully toward the window.
Lying alone on the bed with empty eyes looking unbearably lonely, and a sharp pain stabbed at Macy’s heart.
This lonely man had probably been the first to truly give his heart to her.
Afraid of being abandoned by her, afraid of losing Macy, he trembled in anxiety and chose the worst way—
to break her, crush her, and bring her down.
Eren, who had never experienced a relationship of pure love and trust, had always taken what he wanted this way.
He thought this was the surest way to get what he desired.
Though Macy knew that way was wrong, understanding his troubled background made it clear why he acted like he did.
“So you tried to die?”
“That was just an accident. If anything happens to me in the future, it’s not your fault. So don’t carry unnecessary guilt.”
“How could that not be my fault? You were smiling when you were stabbed!”
“…”
Macy’s heart dropped seeing that. It felt like Eren was responding to her words in that way.
The person who had fought so fiercely to live now seemed like he might give up his life over a single sentence from her.
“Seeing you smile as if happy to die—how could I not… sniff.”
The memory overwhelmed her, and tears streamed uncontrollably. She couldn’t stop crying.
What on earth had she done to Eren?
“Don’t cry.”
“Sob, sniffle.”
“Don’t cry, Macy.”
“Sniffle, sob.”
“Because you’re crying like that…”
The more Macy cried, the more his voice trembled. Eren seemed to be releasing long-suppressed emotions as he spoke.
“If I hold on, you might mistakenly think you’re trapped.”
If left as he was, this was how he’d live— always on edge in his own mansion,
carrying the anxiety of being caught as his own burden,
and when death approached, he’d hand over his life without resistance.
“There’s no apology after death.”
Macy felt she could no longer ignore this pitiful man.
“Live somehow. Struggle so fiercely it’s almost shameful just to survive, and spend your life begging me for forgiveness in a pitiful way.”
Tears leaked from Macy’s voice.
“Even if your future is a swamp, say you want me by your side.”
Maybe from the moment he was born with her name etched on his chest, they were destined to be inseparable.
Though just a few letters, Macy had been waiting a long time while watching that Name.
Waiting for her destined partner—not a prince to rescue her from misery, but someone to rely on, love, and endure hardship together.
If only they had that heart, no matter the trials or adversity, they could endure it.
The man Macy waited for was shabby, but always stood steadfastly by her side.
“My mind hasn’t been working right lately. I think my hearing’s acting weird too…”
Eren murmured somewhat confusedly.
“So, you’re saying I can come to you now?”
A faint hope peeked through. Life slowly returned to his empty eyes.
“If I say I want you by my side, will you stay? Can I love you? And still not die?”
His words carried the wounds and worries he’d held since they reunited. Eren spoke with trembling lips.
“Tell me quickly. That I can love you and not die. That my love won’t kill you…”
“…”
“Maybe my existence only harms you, but will you really stay by my side?”
Swallowing the rising emotions, Macy nodded slowly.
“Ha…”
Eren wiped his face with the hand connected to an IV drip and softly called her.
“Come here, Macy.”
She released the doorknob and slowly walked over.
“Closer.”
As she moved a hand’s breadth closer, Eren’s blue eyes became vivid—blazing like a blue flame.
“More.”
Facing each other so closely, tears welled up in his eyes. He carefully stroked her cheek, as if he still couldn’t believe Macy was really there.
“I tried to let you go. I was afraid you’d be unhappy if I stayed… But I can’t. Thinking you might accept me, I can’t let go. I want to hold on forever. Even if I’m this… ha, pathetic man… is that okay?”
The man who said he’d bear his karma firmly now wept bitterly.
Knowing how scared he truly was, how difficult the decision, tears filled Macy’s eyes again.
Macy nodded once more.
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.