Chapter 32
Antonio’s face turned pale as Grace’s hurtful words struck him like a blow.
“Grace, I’m sorry.”
Grace thought, “So the words ‘I’m sorry‘ can be so light.”
In just one night, this was already the second time Grace had heard them. from Antonio.
But what was the point of saying “I’m sorry“?
The damage had already been done, and it was irreversible.
It had left deep, unforgettable scars over the years.
They screamed out, allowing no forgiveness.
“Antonio, it’s too late. Seven years ago, I begged you to listen to me, even just once. Did you listen? And now, you’ve only hurt me even more. I told you I hoped you’d never regret it.”
Grace’s expression was calm. “Antonio, do you regret it now?”
Antonio thought, “Regret?”
In his dreams, he felt Grace’s icy gaze, and when he was awake, the truth admitted by Kyla broke his heart over and over again.
Antonio had made a mistake, and he had hurt someone very important to him.
How could he not regret it?
“Grace. I know one wrong step leads to another. Seven years ago, I was already unforgivable, and now, I’ve made even worse mistakes. I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I beg you to give me a chance to make it right, okay?”
Antonio’s eyes were already red.
“No. Antonio. Right now, all I want is for you to stay far away from me. The farther, the better.”
With those words. Grace closed the door.
That night, sleep never came.
And the next morning, when Grace opened her door, she was startled.
Antonio was kneeling straight in front of her door.
From the look of him, he had been kneeling there all night.
Osmal City had already started to supply heating, and the temperature in the hallway at night must have dropped below zero.
Grace had never expected Antonio to “atone” in this way.
Thankfully, it was a one–household–per–floor setup. Otherwise, the neighbors would have had a field day with gossip.
Grace frowned deeply. “Antonio, when will you ever change this self- centered habit?”
Hearing her voice, Antonio slowly raised his head.
His face was pale, and his lips were badly chapped.
“Grace, what did you say?”
“Your ‘atonement‘ is affecting my life. And if you really want to ‘atone‘. shouldn’t you start by giving me back my kidney?”
This time, it was Grace’s turn to be condescending.
“You’re right.” Antonio swayed as he stood up, his legs numb and weak.
He pulled out a sharp dagger from his pocket.
In front of Grace, he plunged it into his chest without hesitation.
In that split second, Grace recognized the dagger.
It was the knife she had brought back from her sketching trip ten years.
ago.
That year, on Antonio’s 20th birthday, Grace gave him the jewel- encrusted knife and a painting as birthday gifts.
“Thank you, Grace. They are my favorite birthday gifts this year.”
Grace still remembered how Antonio had looked at her with a soft smile. his eyes downcast.
She thought he had thrown the dagger away long ago.
There was a sound of the blade piercing flesh.
Then, warm blood gushed out.
As Antonio fell backward, he heard Grace’s frantic voice.
“Are you crazy, Antonio?”
Before his consciousness faded, Antonio felt Grace’s soft palm pressing
against his chest.
He also heard Grace scream.
“Antonio. I’m telling you. Even if you die now, I won’t forgive you. For this lifetime, the next, and all eternity, I won’t forgive you!”
