SWNOVELS Chapter 16
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When Aaron turns eighteen, Charles is still single.
But Evelyn has remarried.
She married a software engineer, who is shy and not very talkative but treats her well.
Perhaps out of love for Evelyn, he even shows concern for Aaron, his stepson.
On the day of the wedding, Aaron attends the ceremony.
Afterward, at the dinner table, he casually mentions to Charles that the atmosphere at the wedding is wonderful–there weren’t many guests, but it was lively.
Charles simply chews his food in silence, unwilling to give even a glance in response.
That is the usual dynamic between the two of them.
Their relationship lacks warmth and words, typical of a wealthy family–polite, but not intimate.
So, Aaron doesn’t know that Charles has actually attended the
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wedding.
Not only did he go, but he also brought a gift.
A bank card.
Evelyn hasn’t accepted it.
“Keep it. I know you don’t need this, but it’s just a little token from me.”
“I can’t give you anything else.”
Evelyn shook her head. “You don’t need to give me anything.”
She wore a simple dress, far less extravagant than the one she wore when marrying Charles, but her smile was much more genuine.
Charles glanced at her once and then looked away.
He feared that if he looked too long, he would break down and beg Evelyn not to marry, not to abandon him.
The makeup room was quiet when someone knocked on the door. “Is the bride ready? It’s time to go on stage.”
“I’m ready.” Evelyn stood up and asked Charles, “Aaron’s outside; why don’t we grab a bite together?”
“No thanks,” Charles shook his head, getting up and heading for the door.
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As he grasped the doorknob, he suddenly spoke, “By the way, there are some things I’ve never told you.”
“Hmm?”
“I used to be jealous of Aaron and Samantha.”
Evelyn looked surprised. “What do you mean?”
“Everyone said you were madly in love with me, but I always felt that in your heart, Grandma was more important than I was.” Charles spoke calmly, devoid of any emotion, “So I was never truly happy.”
“After Aaron was born, no matter what we were doing, as soon as he
cried, you forgot all about me.” Charles continued, “So I ended up disliking Aaron.”
“Maybe subconsciously, I always wanted to have all of your attention,” he said with self–deprecation, “but unfortunately, I wasn’t that lucky.”
And so, he lost everything he once had.
“And no, I didn’t act out of character due to alcohol. I was very
clear–headed.” Charles finally turned to look at Evelyn Swan, “If in the
future you find yourself unhappy, feel free to reach out to me. But if
you’re very happy, please don’t tell me.”
“You know me; I’m not a good person. Seeing you happy with someone. else makes me want to ruin it.”
From the moment the software engineer appeared in Evelyn’s life,
Charles had known.
The urge to destroy surged within him, like an ugly creature lurking in the shadows, plotting to ruin Evelyn’s second chance at love.
But Evelyn looked so radiant.
She seemed genuinely happy.
Not witnessing Evelyn’s marriage to the software engineer was the biggest blessing he could give.
Was it painful?
Yes, it was painful.
Was it regrettable?
Yes, it was regrettable.
But no matter how much he hurt or regretted, in this lifetime, he and Evelyn could only end here.
Charles recalled the year he first met Evelyn.
He was sent by his grandmother to pick up the simple girl from the countryside, and he was quite reluctant. Just a moment before seeing Evelyn, he was venting to his friends on his phone.
But when he looked up and saw her, he nearly stopped breathing.
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She was like a refreshing breeze, sweeping away the sweltering heat
of summer, leaving only the chirping of cicadas and the dappling sunlight filtering through the leaves.
The flutter of emotions was instantaneous.
He did many things he couldn’t understand himself, unconsciously lingering on her during every spare moment of his life.
By the time he realized it, there was no turning back for them.
He watched helplessly as the sunlight around her dwindled and shadows grew larger.
At that time, he truly believed she would stay by his side for a lifetime.
In a daze, Charles seemed to dream.
In his dream, he returned to the day they got married, the officiant holding the microphone and asking him, “Charles Evans, do you take Evelyn Swan to be your lawfully wedded wife, for better or worse, in sickness and in health?”
He heard his own voice respond:
“I do.”