Hearing the words the woman I love, Aurora’s heart skipped a beat.
Didn’t he say they were already divorced? Did he mean that he still loved his ex-wife?
Seeing the confusion in Aurora’s eyes, Theodore said, I still love her.
Then why did you get divorced? she asked.
Because I was stupid, and frankly, a fool. I didn’t cherish her when I had her, and I only realized my mistake after I lost her.
Seeing Theodore’s despondent look, Aurora’s heart ached. He truly loved that woman; she could feel it.
Have you tried to win her back? she asked again.
I’ve tried, Theodore said. Many times.
And the result?
The result… Theodore suddenly laughed. She married someone else.
Upon hearing this, Aurora couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy in her heart. His ex-wife had remarried this was good news. It meant that his ex-wife no longer loved him.
Then…now…
I still love her. Theodore gazed blankly at the sky. If she’s willing to come back to me, I’d do anything. But she doesn’t love me anymore. Aurora let out a sigh of relief deep inside, but the thought that Theodore was still in love with his ex-wife made her heart ache.
I know this is hard, but believe me, time will heal everything. Aurora comforted him.
It’s impossible, Theodore said hoarsely. You wouldn’t understand.
Aurora felt hurt. Wouldn’t she understand?
Indeed, she wouldn’t, but did he have to be so blunt about it?
I’ll only love her in this lifetime, Theodore said, shoving his hands into his pockets, feeling the cold wind brush his face.
He slowly closed his eyes and said, I only love her.
Aurora’s brow furrowed slightly. Why was he telling her all of this? Suddenly, she felt a bit suffocated.
Miss Payne, for some reason, you remind me of her. Theodore turned to look at her.
Aurora met his gaze, feeling a wave of confusion. I remind you of her?
Yes. Theodore averted his eyes after a few seconds. But unfortunately, you’ll never be her, and I’ll never treat you as her.
Perhaps Aurora resembled Rosalie a
little, and for a moment, he thought that if he couldn’t see Rosalie, seeing Aurora might be enough. Yet, he soon realized he couldn’t do it.
Aurora was Aurora, and Rosalie was Rosalie they were entirely different people.
In this world, no one could replace anyone else. His Rosalie was one of a kind; no one could ever take her place.
Aurora forced a bitter smile. When you say that, have you ever considered if I even want to replace her?
She never wanted to replace anyone, but now, she seemed to understand a cruel truth.
Theodore had come to save her and visit her at the hospital all because she reminded him of his beloved ex-wife.
It was because she looked a little like his ex-wife that he cared for her, just a little.
All of this was because of his ex-wife.
No one would want to be someone else’s replacement, Theodore said. Which is why, Miss Payne, I think we should stop seeing each other from today on.
He was worried that if they met too often, he might actually deceive himself and take her as Rosalie.
The woman he loved was now on
the other side of the world, with another man. His heart was in agony, and when people were in pain, they tended to make mistakes.