One time, Grandma went out, and I fell ill. She came home veryte, and by then, I was already quite sick. Ever since then, I had been terrified ofplete darkness.


    Cold sweat broke out on my back and palms as people moved past me in a chaotic stream. I couldn''t see ahead and was jostled around, bumping into others repeatedly. Thad no idea who had taken my hairpin from behind, but suddenly, a warm, dry hand sped my wrist. Before I could react, I was pulled into someone''s embrace


    The familiar scent of cedarwood filled my nostrils. I knew I should tell him to let go, but fear kept me silent. Subconsciously, I clung to his sleeve as though it were myst lifeline. "Don''t be afraid," than said as he led me forward. His usual cold voice was inexplicably gentle at that moment.


    I closed my eyes and followed him, unsure of where we were headed but noticing that the crowd around us was thinning. The rhythmic tapping of shoes on the floor was the only sound I could hear "Where are you taking me?" asked softly.


    The next moment, I was pulled into a room. Ethan pushed me against the door, pinning my wrists with one hand while the other cupped my cheek.


    Before I could react, he leaned in and kissed me. This kiss was different from thest. It was gentle, each touch making me feel cherished.


    I forgot to struggle until he began kissing me more urgently, pulling at my lips until they ached. Only then did Ie to my senses. I pushed him away abruptly and stared at him coldly in the darkness.


    I didn''t understand why Ethan would do this. Even though he was with Leah, he still kissed me. He was aplete jerk


    I wiped my lips roughly and met Ethan''s gaze in the darkness. He turrowed his brow and took a step closer to me


    "Don''te any closer," I said, raising a hand to stop him.


    "Evelyn="Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    "Ethan, you disgust me."


    I had been carrying a lot of anger inside all night and felt utterly miserable. What he had done to me had finallypushed me over the edge.


    Ethan suddenly came to a sudden stop. In the darkness, our senses seemed sharper. I could almost hear his breathing change. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke. "Do you hate me?"


    Did I hate Ethan? To be honest, when I first returned, it wasn''t just hatred Tresented him deeply. Thad so many regrets from my previous life.


    It wasn''t that he made me unhappy, but he was often cruel to me. So, I resented him, med him, and felt a strong hatred toward him.


    So much time had passed that, sometimes, when I was working hard, 1 wandered if all those regrets and disappointments were just a dream


    In reality, Inever married Ethan, we had no children, Inever had a miscarriage, and Leah never came between us


    On so many sleepless nights, 1y awake waiting for dawn. Gradually all those regrets and disappointments faded away,


    "I don''t hate you," I said, wrapping my arms around myself and meeting his gaze. "But I can''t say I like you either. *Ethan, just like before, I''ll be fine as long as you stay out of my way. You don''t need to worry about whether I like you or not.