“Be!” Justin grew worried.
A tall and muscr man like Ryan was being pulled forward helplessly, as if his bones had vanished and he was about to copse.
“Ryan, you didn’t give Carrie her freedom, iming it was to protect her, but what was the result? You still screwed everything up! You couldn’t even ensure her basic safety!”
Be’s eyes were filled with tears, brimming with anger and pain. “You think you’re so noble, willing to sacrifice everything for Carrie. But what have you really lost? The only one who has been sacrificed all along is Carrie!”
Seeing his beloved out in the snow, Justin felt a heaviness in his chest. Without hesitation, he chose to stand by her side, forgoing an umbre.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.
One was the love of his life, while the other was his best friend. He was torn between the two of them. Staying neutral seemed like the wisest path forward.
“It was Carrie who gave up her freedom and reputation to be with you. She could have remained the sheltered, privileged daughter of the Salvador family forever, untouched by the world! Yet she chose to apany you, devoting her prime years to you and maturing quickly to be an obedient and dutiful wife for you.”
Be’s angry outburst had brought her to tears without her realizing it. “Carrie has put in so much effort to amodate you and consider your needs. She has done everything she can to avoid causing you any trouble! But in the end, why did it turn out like this?! What did Carrie do to deserve being treated so poorly?!”
Ryan’s heart was heavy as he faced these painful questions. His lips quivered, but despite his best efforts, he could not get the words out.
“It’s my fault... It’s all my fault.” Ryan repeatedly admitted his mistakes, his cheeks wet with tears and his messy ck hair covering his once confident eyes.
The once lively andmanding person in Savorow had dimmed so significantly that Justin could hardly recognize him.
“In the past... No matter what I gave her... She always said she liked it. She said she loved me and that she wanted to be with me forever...”
“That’s because Carrie never knew how to say no! Everything Carrie did was to make you happy!” Be shoved him hard, causing his body to stagger and almost fall.
‘To make you happy.’ Those four words struck Ryan with harsh irony. Though he had always proimed his intention to pamper Carrie forever, it was now clear that she had been the one pampering him all along.
The love he had believed to be so wonderful was actually built upon Carrie’s sacrifices, her suffering, and her kind-hearted efforts to create a false sense of paradise for him.
“Be, Ryan knows he was wrong. He truly loves Carrie.” Justin’s voice was soft and low as he took off his jacket and draped it over Be’s shoulders.
“Carrie’s world is simple and pure. She has no concept of the deceit and treachery of power struggles. She just wants to live a peaceful life.”
Be rubbed her swollen eyes and sniffed her cold-reddened nose. “But now... you’ve dragged her into this mess. She doesn’t even have the strength to fight back. She has never even scolded anyone in her life. How can she bear the darkness of the Hoffman family? She hasn’t even married into your family yet, and your family members are already using such vicious tactics against her.
“If she marries you, she will only be worn down by endless scheming. Can you keep your guard up for a lifetime? As long as you hold power, those rotten rtives of yours will never stop trying to bring her down! Sooner orter, she will break again! No wealthy family is simple. You’ll inevitably be tainted by theirpany. A warm and harmonious family like the Thompson family is incredibly rare.”
“I will handle it.” After a long pause, Ryan finally spoke, his voice trembling. “I will deal with the Hoffman family. Be, I love Carrie. Without her, my life is meaningless. Please, don’t separate us. Give me another chance... Onest chance, okay?”
He was clearly begging.
Be lowered her eyes and shook her head. “I can’t decide your fate, and I can’t influence anyone else either.”