Chapter 23
The day of Evangeline and Sterling’s wedding soon arrived.
As planned, they married in this world to let Joseph know that he had no more chances. This way, he should have resigned himself. However, something unexpected happened.
“Evangeline, we’ve detected that Joseph is starting to turn evil. He’s developed a method to tamper with the system and intends to destroy this world. I’m doomed. I might be wiped out by him soon. How about I send you all back before that happens?”
The system’s usually mechanical and calm voice seemed to carry a hint of despair, as though it had given up.
At that moment, one of the household staff announced that Joseph was outside and wanted to see Evangeline one last time.
Evangeline agreed and told the system, “Hold on. Let me try one more time.”
Kayden, Eliza, and Sterling were worried and wanted to go with her.
“Don’t worry. I can only convince him if I go alone. I promise I’ll be quick,” Evangeline reassured them.
When she stepped outside, Joseph’s eyes lit up. “Eva, you’re willing to see me on your wedding day. That must mean I still have a chance, right?”
He had made up his mind and was ready to make one last attempt. If Evangeline rejected him again, he would make the entire world pay for their love. Evangeline didn’t answer his question. Instead, she calmly asked another one, “Do you think I’ve ever owed you anything during our time together?” Joseph thought for a moment and shook his head. “No.”
Her question, however, made him reflect on many things–his “heroic rescue” when they first met and the admiration in Evangeline’s eyes. Every time she looked at him, there was always a spark in het eyes.
He suggested a secret marriage, and she agreed. He asked her to give up her resources, and though it pained her, she compromised time and again.
How could she have owed him anything? She had truly loved him without reserve.
Noticing Joseph lost in thought, Evangeline asked, “What about you? Have you ever owed me anything?”
“Yes,” Joseph said sincerely. “I will make it right.”
Suddenly, Evangeline looked at him seriously with a smile. “If you really want to make it right, then you have to let go.”
Joseph instinctively shook his head. “No, Eva. I love you. I can’t let you go.”
“But if you truly love someone, you should wish for their happiness.” Evangeline’s voice was gentle, patient, and tinged with sincerity.
“Once, I thought you loved Evelyn. I didn’t hold it against you for the hurt you caused. I simply left and decided to let you go. Now, I’ve found my own happiness. It’s your turn to let me go. Please let go, Joseph. Letting go would be the best way to make it right.”
Her words softly washed over him, yet they struck his heart with a powerful force.
He stood there stunned. He felt like his soul had been drained.
Evangeline didn’t rush him. She just quietly waited for his response.
This reminded Joseph of the past–when he was always busy with social events and came home late.
As his wife, Evangeline never once pushed him. She simply waited for him, always keeping a light on at home and a bowl of soup warm.
And now, she was still waiting, but this time, she was waiting for him to let go.
Joseph didn’t want to lose Evangeline. But seeing her so quietly waiting for his decision, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.
As he gazed into her clear eyes, which held a hint of expectation, the anger within him slowly dissipated
Joseph finally realized that he wasn’t as heartless as he thought. He truly couldn’t bring himself to hurt her any longer.
A voice deep inside told him that he had owed Evangeline so much and made her wait so many times. This time, he couldn’t let her down again.
A bitter sadness washed over him as he realized that some things, once lost, could never be regained
After a long silence, he hoarsely spoke, “Alright, I won’t wish you well, but… I will let you go.”
Evangeline let out a quiet breath of relief and said sincerely, “Thank you.”
Joseph still attended Evangeline’s wedding like he was torturing himself.
When he saw her in her wedding dress, he was almost mesmerized
They had been in a secret marriage once, and he owed her a wedding. This was the first time he saw her in a wedding dress. She was so beautiful.
If he had known, he would have rushed to propose to her in front of the world to make sure everyone knew she was his wife.
If he had done that back then, would the outcome have been different?
Alas, everything was too late.
As Evangeline and Sterling, exchanged rings and kissed, Joseph closed his eyes in pain. His heart shattered, as if he were dying, But when he opened his eyes again, everything before him had disappeared
The scene turned into a batten land, waiting to be developed
As y left, file systero indar med Evangeing that she had kept the peace in this world and could make one wish related to it.
Evangeliow thought for a torbent and said, “Then I wish that the original Evangeline in this world could be born into a family where her parents truly love her and live a happy hie.”
After the system agreed, a small ligid appeared before Evangelice, twisting and turning
The system frantated, “The original Evangeline is thanking you.”
Evangelier minded and replied, “You’re welcome”
This was great. Though they won’t be in the same world anymore, they would all have beautiful futures
Joseph wandered back home in a daze just as he was about to change into his winter clothes, he noticed the temperature inside bad returned to normal.
Chapter 23
His chest tightened as he quickly walked over to the spot where the ice coffin had been, but it was empty.
He collapsed to the floor at once.
At that moment, he realized that he had truly lost Evangeline.
In the days that followed, Joseph threw himself into work, tirelessly steering Cunningham Group back on track.
But every night, he was consumed by longing. He couldn’t sleep and was tortured by pain. Soon, he became thin and gaunt.
Unable to endure any longer, Joseph reached out to the system again.
“I want to see her. I’m willing to give up my entire fortune. Just let me go to her world. Please, I beg you. I promise I won’t disturb her. I just want to see her,” Joseph begged desperately.
The system regretfully told him, “I’m sorry. Evangeline is my host. I asked her, but she doesn’t want you to come.”
Joseph refused to give up and continued to beg the system for a solution.
Finally, the system reluctantly told him there was one last way.
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