The Love that Never Really Dies (Sasha and Sebastian)

Rosalie was still unable to say a word despite the quiver of her lips.

Ten minutes later, she, with her hair strewn all over the place, was helped out of bed and brought downstairs. There, a heap of ruins was all that was left of the once gloriously-lit Tilan Palace

There was not a soul nor any lights in sight at all.

All that remained were broken pieces of tiles that were shattered by the cannon fire. Given the widespread devastation, she wouldn't even have recognized the place if not for the familiar cedar tree that was left standing.

In fact, she began to wonder if she had accidentally ended up in the wilderness.

"Ms. Rosalie, why don't we pack and leave? I have heard that Mrs. Tilan and the others have left for Archulea. If you want to join them, I'll take you there,” Samson, who was behind her, advised.

In truth, he, too, could have left with them. However, when he saw how the fleeing members of the Tilan family left the unconscious Rosalie to fend for herself, he decided to stay back.

After all, he couldn't bring himself to leave her after spending a lot of time by her side.

While Samson waited, he was caught by surprise when Rosalie, whose family had just fallen from grace, finally shook her head after standing in the garden for a long period of time.

"I'm not going. You should go by yourself. There's no need to worry about me.”

"But-"

"Samson, I thank you for choosing to stay back with me in the end. As for the past... I apologize for how I treated you. After you leave Southeast Astoria, I'll give you a sum of money so that you don't have to work as an assassin anymore. Instead, you should find an ordinary job and live out the rest of your life in peace.”

When he saw that she, who had always been proud and spoilt, could still make such meticulous arrangements for him despite the dire circumstances, Samson stood bewildered.

"W-What about you? What do you plan to do next?"

"Me?"

Wearing only a night dress, Rosalie looked up at the night sky with puckered lips before breaking into a smile.

"I have not decided yet. Perhaps I'll just go sightseeing.”

"Sightseeing?"

Samson didn't understand what she meant.

What does she want to see?

Obviously, he didn't dare to inquire further. Since she refused to go, he decided to leave first. Before he did, he left her a car together with some maps and notes.

They contained his detailed plans for her on where she could go.

Much to his surprise, she didn't go anywhere in particular after leaving the island that night.

All she did was visit the places she had always been keen on seeing while she was sick, such as scenic historical cities or the desert that had always intrigued her.

As there were plenty of sites to cover, one year had passed when she was finally done.

It was during that same period that the faraway Jadeson family of Jadeborough finally held the long- awaited engagement banquet.

It was exceptionally lively that day with guests coming from everywhere, including the Hayes family, Solomon's family, the Wand family, the Minamoto family, and lastly, the extended Jadeson family. What had surprised everyone was the presence of Master Shin of Aquene Temple.

Given the festive atmosphere at Oceanic Estate, the triplets were filled with joy.

After the banquet, Matteo was leading Natalie to the observation tower to set off fireworks when he received a sudden call.

"Hello, is that Theo?"

Matteo remained silent for a long time.

The voice over the phone continued, "I know it's you, Theo, but don't worry. I'm not calling to cause any trouble. I just want to inform you that Ms. Tilan has passed, and she has donated the two kidneys to a university student with a clean history.”

The voice emphasized the word “clean.”

Matteo's mind went blank in response.

"What are you trying to tell me? What do you mean by “donated? Is she dead?"

"Yes. Didn't you hear me the first time? I said that she has passed away. Are you satisfied now, Theo? Not only has she returned them to you, but that university student is also an acquaintance of yours. His name is Tobias Turner."

Once Samson had finished, he ended the call.

When Matteo subsequently tried to call back, the number was no longer available.

Frozen at his feet on the observation tower, Matteo racked his brains for the person named "Tobias." Finally, he remembered that it belonged to one of his classmates at the police academy who had been chosen for their mission one year ago.

During their training camp at Tilan Palace, he had expended a significant amount of strength to keep Tobias alive.

Unfortunately, by the time Lana rescued him from the bottom of the ocean, Tobias’ two kidneys had suffered irreparable damage due to his grievous injuries and from suffocating in the seawater for an extended duration.

In the end... Is this karma?

Matteo, with his fingers balling into fists, could feel something heavy weighing down on his heart, causing him to feel breathless.

"Matt?" Natalie called out to him as she gave him a tug.

One year older now, she, sensing something amiss, had come over to his side.

After remaining silent for a long while, he lowered his eyes at Natalie before gradually kneeling down in front of her.

"What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"I'm not."

"Are your eyes hurting from the chill of the cold breeze? If they are, you should close them and let me rub them for you. After that, it won't hurt anymore.”

As the eight-year-old Natalie comforted Matteo with her tender voice, a tiny pair of hands was already stroking his beautiful eyes.

Matteo's eyelashes fluttered for an instant before he finally gave in and closed his eyes.

When Natalie saw his reaction, she tilted her head in thought. All of a sudden, she leaned in and gave his eye a peck.

When I was young, that was how Daddy kissed me. After that, the pain will go away.q