Asher continued, "After his identity was exposed, K abandoned him, and the Overcast besieged him. Traitors ultimately had one fate-death." "So... back when you were The Matrix, did you execute him?" Be''s voice trembled lightly, chills spreading through her body.


    Asher closed his eyes weakly, shaking his head in pain. "When I seeded as the leader, I swore an oath that I would never kill anyone. That was my bottom line. But at that time, everyone pressured me to personally execute him."Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    Be felt suffocated, her heart racing.


    "In order not to make things difficult for me, he took the gun from my hands and shot himself."


    When Asher spoke of the incident again, his tone was calm and deep. If not for his bloodshot eyes, Be might have thought he was recounting someone else''s story.


    How could anyone watch a loved onemit suicide before their eyes?


    If she were in his ce, she might have picked up that gun without hesitation and followed him.


    "Enough, it''s all in the past... All in the past..." Asher murmured hoarsely. He pressed his chest with his battered hands as if trying to press down the bleeding wound on his heart.


    "Ash, I regret his death. But I still have one question to rify."


    Be looked at him intensely, speaking each word carefully. "Did you choose to be with Arnold because of their resemnce?"


    Asher gripped the photo tightly. He lowered his head and ran his tongue over his teeth harshly.


    "From the moment you saw Arnold, you were drawn to him because of his resemnce to your ex. You approached him and cared for him, not just to help me win him over, right? You wanted to see him, and you couldn''t help but be close to him. Did you see him and think of that person? Do you still long for him?"


    After a long silence, Asher slowly spoke, sounding like he had aged by decades. "Yes."


    "Ash!" Be''s heart felt like it was burning, her eyes wide.


    "Be, perhaps you see me through a familial lens. As your big brother, I am emotionally stable, principled, respectful of elders, and loving toward my younger siblings." Asher shook his head with a bitter smile. "But I am far from what you think. In fact, I am not even as good as many ordinary people."


    "Ash... How can you say that? How can you consider Arnold a substitute?!" Be anxiously grasped his arm, her fingers digging in as if trying to embed themselves in his


    flesh. Arnold gave up everythin to be with you, facing rejection and estrangement! All this time, he has devoted himself to you, to our family, and to Justin and Carrie with unwavering determination! How can you bear to do this?!"


    "Be, I admit that my involvement with Arnold initially was indeed because of their resemnce." Asher''s eyes reddened, and his fist clenched until the pain in his palm forced him to slowly release it. "But now... I truly love Arnold. It has nothing to do with his face. I love him for who he is-his soul."


    "Do you love Arnold? Or do you love the person he used to resemble more?" Be insisted on asking.


    "Be, they can''t bepared. That is a different kind of love."


    "Love is love! Love in this world only varies in depth. There is no such thing as a different kind!" Be was both anxious and angry, her chest heaving.Ash, have you thought about what would happen if Arnold found out? If he knew that he was just a substitute for an old fover, he would be devastated and furious! How can you do this? How can you bear to deceive someone who loves you so deeply?"


    Asher''s pale lips opened, but no words came out.


    "I want you to burn this photo andpletely forget him now, in front of me!" Be''s eyes zed with anger, and her teeth clenched tightly.


    "If you truly want to spend your life with Arnold, if you truly love him, then burn it!"