If there was a string to hold on to, there was also a string Abella had to put in place.

It was a string that Abella had to put on Arsene. Arsene was also staying at this villa. Just as Cade hovered around Abella, Arsene was also hovering around Abella. Arsene was always behind Cade.

As if waiting for another chance to come to her.

“Abella.”

Arsene, who met Abella’s eyes, smiled brightly. Abella turned away from Arsene, who stepped forward as if he was approaching her at any moment. If it had been before, she would have accepted Arsene. She would give him a smile and chat like a friend.

Arsene’s obsession may have been caused by Abella.

Abella passed Arsene. The former Abella needed Arsene. Because she could find comfort in this loneliness and solitude. It may have been Abella’s selfishness that was holding Arsene.

“Abella!”

Arsene chased after her and caught her. What was in Arsene’s eyes was pure desire and affection. And greed for what he didn’t have was mixed with it. Abella pushed Arsene away.

“Arsene, let me go.”

“Abella.....”

Abella pursed her lips with a pathetic expression. She had a face that looked like she was about to burst into tears.

“You must go. You must go to those who are looking for you.”

“Why? Won’t you hold my hand?”

Abella shook her head.

“It’s not that I won’t hold your hand, it’s that I’m letting you go. Go to those who love you, Arsene. This is my place and your place is there.”

“I do not know what you mean.....”

“You will find out sooner or later, Arsene. But, don’t forget. The people who watch over you. When you’re with them, will you become nothing?”

“I can’t! I like you, Abella.”

Arsene took Abella’s hand and let out his feelings. It all started with love. The desire to love and be with someone. It was a matter of what form it was expressed in. Abella remembers the affection she received from Arsene.

Abella remembers the moments when he saved her from loneliness and solitude.

Abella looked at Arsene one last time.

Arsene was crying.

He rubbed his face like a reluctant child. How many moments had to pass before such a pure feeling was distorted and destroyed. It may have been Abella who pulled out and exposed Arsene’s twisted appearance.

Because of the hopeful torture that Abella inflicted on him.

‘I will take all these memories with me. The times you and I were together.’

Abella grabbed Arsene’s hand, and she let it go.

“I’m sorry, Arsene. I have someone I like. It’s fun and nice to be with him. I feel like he has become a really precious child.”

“I, I can do that too!”

“But, you’re not the one I like, Arsene. I know you are a good person. Find someone who loves you, Arsene.”

Abella’s tone of voice is mature. Arsene shook his head and stomped his foot, as if not wanting to understand. Abella watched it to the end.

She had never drawn a line and cut off Arsene like this.

Abella was afraid that she would be hated.

She has been tormented by a fear that Arsene will hate her after she pushes him out. She wanted to be loved. She wished that at least one of them would love her more. But now she know that such selfishness can mess someone up.

Abella remembered the ruin she had caused herself.

“Arsene, go back.”

Arsene knew Abella would never look back. Even if he cries and screams and makes a fuss, she will turn away. Abella doesn’t like Arsene. This was a complete rejection. Arsene rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and burst into tears.

His painful and aching first love was ending.

Arsene can’t even remember the past.

As Abella let her Arsene go, so Arsene let her go.

*

The next morning, Arsene left.

It was to take Arsene, who had a fever all night, to the doctor in the capital. As Arsene left, he gave Abella a look of regret, but she didn’t even wave at him.

All the rooms there were cut off.

Abella and her family also left the villa the next day. When she had to return alone, Abella came back together.

The Duchess got off the carriage and brushed past Abella.