Chapter 18
The instant Clifford’s fist made contact with Magus‘ face, the air in the room seemed to
freeze.
Clifford’s knuckles were red, and he was breathing heavily. His eyes were filled with violent. anger, the likes of which he had never displayed before.
Magnus staggered back two steps, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. Before he could retaliate, Lilibeth rushed forward and forcefully shoved Clifford away, successfully pushing him back a step.
“Are you crazy?” she yelled at him. “What are you doing?”
“Am I crazy?” he repeated with reddened eyes. “The question is, do you
“The question is, do you know what you’re doing?”
Lilibeth sneered. “Isn’t it normal for lovers to make love to each other? This is my house, you’re going to behave like a madman, get out!”
so if
Clifford’s chest heaved violently. “What exactly do you want me to do before you’re willing go home with me?” he asked, pain lacing his voice for the first time in his life.
Lilibeth looked straight into his eyes. “Do you still not understand? There’s no way back with you. I don’t love you anymore. I’m living a new life now.”
I’m going
“A new life?” Clifford repeated hoarsely. “With this womanizer?”
Lilibeth laughed abruptly. “Womanizer?”
As she turned to take a box out of a drawer, she stated, “His slate is much cleaner than yours.”
She then opened the box, revealing a thick stack of yellowed letters.
Clifford picked up the topmost letter with trembling fingers.
“Dear Beth,
“I saw you for the first time today at Lorenzo’s birthday party. You were playing the piano in a red dress, and you looked just like a blazing fire. Iknew it was inappropriate, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from you.
“Magnus, 5.20.2015”
As Clifford read each letter, he felt as if there was an invisible hand tightening around his
heart.
“Dear Beth,
“I heard that you fell in love with Clifford Sinclair. He doesn’t deserve you, but if you like him,
споре
I’ll help you get together with him.
“Magnus, 8.15.2016”
“Dear Beth,
“I saw you crying today because Clifford stood you up for Tiffany’s sake again. I barely managed to hold myself back from punching him
“Magnus, 11.3.2018”
The ink on the last letter was still quite fresh.
“Dear Beth,
“I heard that you got divorced. Can you please give me a chance? Let me be the one to love you.
this time.
“Magnus, 12.25.2025”
Since ten years ago, Magnus had written letter after letter addressed to Lilibeth, written in neat handwriting and gentle pen strokes.
“He’s not a womanizer,” Lilibeth said softly. “He’s far more faithful than you despite your sexual disinterest in women.”
Clifford’s throat felt tight. “I-”
Lilibeth cut him off. “I told you before. Even if you don’t love me, there are people who do. Back when I liked you, you didn’t cherish me even though we were married and instead vented your sexual desires in the meditation room every day. So, why are you going hysterical now that I’ve given up on you?”
Clifford felt his chest ache, and the foreign emotions he was feeling threatened to overwhelm
him.
He opened his mouth and finally managed to get two words out. “I’m sorry.”
“I don’t need your apology,” said Lilibeth, taking the box back from him. “I just need you to get out of my life.”
However, Clifford remained rooted stubbornly on the spot. “I’ll change my ways, but I can’t leave. You have to come back with me.”
Suddenly, she heard the sound of glass breaking behind her. She quickly turned around and saw Magnus bending down to pick up an overturned first–aid kit.
She hushed up to him. “Don’t move. I’ll get it.”
Clifford stood in a shadowy part of the corridor, watching Magnus‘ wound.
libeth carefully apply ointment on
Chapter 18
Her touch was gentle, and her gaze was focused, just like… just like when she used to do it for
him.
A long time ago, she had also rushed to help Clifford bandage his wound as soon as he had gotten hurt, just like she was doing for Magnus now.
Back then, her tenderness had been exclusively reserved for him, but now, she wasn’t even willing to look at him.
Clifford suddenly felt a stabbing pain in his heart. It hurt so much that he found it hard to breathe.
Late at night, he stood on the balcony with a cigarette between his fingers. It had long burned down to the stub.
He called Joel and said hoarsely, “…Something’s been wrong with me recently.”
After a moment of silence, Joel asked, “What’s wrong, Mr. Sinclair?”
“Seeing her with someone else, I…” He trailed off and placed a hand over his chest. “My chest hurts badly. It’s as if… I’m dying.”
The other end of the line was silent for a long time.
Eventually, Joel said softly, “You’ve fallen in love with Ms. Quimby, Mr. Sinclair. You just realized it too late.”
Ashes fell from the cigarette stub, scalding Clifford’s fingers, but he didn’t notice the pain at
all.
