NovelEnglish"Thaddeus, | haven't meant anything to you for a long time, have I? There's no need to force yourself anymore.
It's miserable for you, and honestly, | find it unbearable too. If we're going to end things, let's end them cleanly.
No half- measures."
She'd always been proud and decisive, the kind of woman who walked forward without ever glancing back.
The only tshe'd let herself be vulnerable-utterly, without hesitation was for him.
Thaddeus's handsface turned pale, his eyes clouded with a storm of emotions: somber, conflicted,
unreadable.
Chad's gaze lingered in the air as he leaned over to pick up the dropped bouquet. He wheeled himself to the
coffee table and arranged the lilies, one by one, into
the vase.
"It'd be a shto throw these away. They're still beautiful in their own way," he remarked over his shoulder,
the corners of his mouth curling in a way that was impossible to read.
Evadne closed her eyes. Thaddeus's voice was hoarse as he spoke. "Get srest, then."
With that, he turned away, his steps mechanical as he made his way to the door.
"Thaddeus." She called his name.
He stopped, but didn't look back.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
"From now on, you and I—we go our separate ways. Whatever we had, it's over. No ties left between us."
Evadne's slender fingers clenched the sheets so tightly it seemed she might tear right through them, but her
voice was cold, decisive. "You don't need to force yourself to cseeanymore. And I... | won't want to see
you again."
As Thaddeus left the hospital room, his footsteps felt strangely weightless, as if he were walking on air-nothing
seemed real.
A throbbing pain gathered at his temples, his vision swimming in and out of focus. We're going our separate
ways.
Her merciless words echoed in his mind, tugging viciously at his nerves, beads of cold sweat breaking out across
his forehead.
"Thaddeus."
A gentle voice called from behind. Thaddeus stopped and turned.
Chad was there, rolling his wheelchair forward, a faint smile on his lips. "I'd like to have a word with you-just the
two of us."
Thaddeus clenched his fists, fighting the pain. "All right."
The two brothers made their way to the rooftop.
It was a bright afternoon, sunlight pouring down, but winter had already settled in. The chill wind burrowed under
collars and up sleeves.
Thaddeus had the build and stamina of a soldier, yet for sreason, a deep, insistent cold suffused his body.
"Mm... The air in EImsworth is wonderful. It always feels good to be home," Chad said, breathing in deeply. He
coughed a low, stifled sound-his face turning even paler.
"What did you want to talk about?", Thaddeus stood beside him, his dark eyes fixed on the distant horizon.
"It's too cold up here for you you
should be careful with your hearth." s
Chad pressed a hand to his chest. "Thaddeus, do you still care about your big brother?"
"Of course Thaddeus replied,
pausing, his voice low. "You were the
one who risked everything so | could escape that night stm only alive
because of you. | could never forget that." s
Chad frowned, letting out a soft, humorless laugh. "So it's only gratitude? Nothing
of brotherhood?"
Thaddeus's lips thinned. "When we were kids, apart from Grandfather, you were the one who treatedbest."
"I'm not trying to guilt you into
anything, Chad said quietly. "I just hope my sudden return hasn't made things difficult for you I'd like to
think our bond is still what it used to
be
s
MS
He drew a careful breath, his tone open and sincere. "Even if we're not related by blood, you'll always be my
brother. I've never once wished you harm."
Thaddeus's face remained cold. "If that's the case, Chad, just say what you want to say. No need to dance
around it."
A biting gust of wind swept over them, sharp as knives.
"Thaddeus, it seems your story with Ms. Evadne has cto an end. It's a shame, really."
Chad lifted his pale, almost translucent face and looked Thaddeus in the eye, each word measured and clear. "If |
wanted a chance with her if | wanted to try would you mind?"
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
