Emergence Novel Chapter 10
I did not know how to respond, so I just nodded again. “Thank you.”
Seeing that Damian had nothing more to say, I waved at him and prepared to leave.
The moment I turned around, Damian finally mustered his courage. “Elara, I still want to formally apologize to you.”
He smiled bitterly. “You know, my dad always had high expectations of me from childhood. While being harsh or myself, I couldn’t help transferring those same expectations onto you.”
“You were always good, beautiful, and smart. But when I was with you, I instinctively spoke to you the way my dad spoke to me, with criticism and put-downs.”
He said a lot, repeatedly breaking down his helplessness and pain, his struggles, and circumstances beyond/his
control.
I listened quietly, feeling nothing, and finally managed only one word.
“Okay.”
Faced with my cold response, Damian suddenly looked up, his expression sorrowful. “Elara, even though I had my reasons, you still can’t forgive me?”
I nodded. “Right.”
Why should the conflict between him and his father involve me?
Being born into that family was his misfortune. However, that misfortune was not an excuse to hurt me.
Even though so much time had passed, standing in front of Damian still made me uncomfortable.
Just like the moment I saw him, I instinctively checked whether my clothes were appropriate and instinctively wanted to hide the pink charm dangling from my bag.
These insecure habits were etched deep within me. They were scars I would have to spend a lifetime trying to mend.
At that moment, I longed to be by Ethan’s side. I yearned to rush into his embrace, feel his hand patting my head, hear his praises, and let my heart race with joy and freedom.
Those were things I never got from Damian.
Damian lowered his head again, his expression unreadable. “Alright, I understand. I won’t bother you anymore.”
I turned to leave, then thought better of it and turned back. “Damian, if we run into each other again, don’t call out to me. Let’s just pretend we don’t know each other.”
“Honestly, it’s probably lingering effects from those ten years, but every time I see you, I feel pretty uncomfortable.”
Before Damian could react, I slipped into the bustling crowd and headed home. Someone was waiting for me there.
On my wedding day, I received a greeting card.
The handwriting was elegant and strong. “Congratulations on your wedding. I wish you happiness.”
The signature at the bottom was erased and rewritten, finally leaving only a faint shadow. Just like those ten years with that person.
Lily called from outside the door. “What are you looking at? The bride needs to make her entrance!”
I casually tossed the card into the trash. “Nothing.”
Before my entrance, Lily helped me adjust my wedding dress. Funny enough, after looking at so many options my favorite was still the one I tried on before breaking up with Dainian.
At the bridal boutique, when I appeared before Ethan wearing it, he was stunned speechless.
“Elara, you’re absolutely beautiful.”
All those expectations I once had were finally fulfilled by someone else in this moment. Now, wearing this wedding dress and looking at Ethan’s back, I felt so happy I could barely speak.
Finally, I was about to begin my new life.