Chapter 2
After Nestor’s “death,” no one was more devastated than Daphne.
Even though Felton was grieving too, the first thing he did was try to comfort her.
He told her she was still young, and now that Nestor was gone, it was time for her to start a new life.
Gently but firmly, he urged her to leave the Bridges family, to find someone worthy and kind, and to move on from her pain.
Daphne knew Felton meant well. But at the time, she refused without hesitation. She couldn’t forget Nestor, nor did she want to leave the home that still echoed with traces of his life. She was prepared to spend the rest of her days as his widow.N
But now, she’d uncovered the truth: Nestor’s affection, from the very beginning, had been nothing but a lie.
Five years together–there was no love, only deception.
She had no reason to stay anymore.
Felton, unaware of the tangled mess behind her decision, was relieved to see her finally letting go.N
He helped her to her feet, his eyes brimming with tears. “Daphne, you’ve finally come around. You’re a good girl–I watched you grow up. The dead are gone, but the living must go on.”
“I’ll give you half of the Bridges family shares. That’s enough to ensure you’ll never want for anything. Child, don’t come back here. Forget Nestor. Take care of yourself…”
Daphne fought back tears, refusing to let them fall.
Her parents never loved her; their hearts only had space for her younger sister, Josephine.
Her fiancé never loved her either–he only had eyes for Josephine.N
And now, even Nestor, the man she thought loved her most, had only ever loved Josephine.
All her life, Felton had been the only one who truly cared for her.
She nodded. “Grandpa, I will. For your sake, if nothing else, I’ll start fresh.”
If everyone loved Josephine and no one loved Daphne, then from now on, she would love herself. She’d cut herself free from all these toxic people and their messes.
The next moming, Daphne woke up early and made her way to a real estate agency.
“I’d like to buy a secluded island–do you have anything like that?”
She stated her purpose simply. The sales agent immediately brought over a catalogue and began introducing her to all sorts of islands, large and small. The variety was dizzying, but in the end, she chose one that caught her eye and paid for it in full, right then and there.
“Ms. Sterling, the paperwork will take about a month. Once everything’s finalized, the island will be yours,” the agent said, walking her to the door, grinning with excitement as he reminded her of a few final details.
Daphne nodded. “Thank you. I understand.”
Back home, she started packing.
Because her own family hadn’t cared much about her, Daphne hadn’t brought many belongings with her when she married into the Bridges family. Their bedroom was large, but most of the things inside were gifts from Nestor.
The walls were covered with photos of the two of them. Couple figurines sat neatly on the shelves. Once, these things had filled her with happiness, proof of his love–or so she thought. Now, they felt like nothing but a cruel joke.§
Daphne gathered everything connected to Nestor and packed it all into boxes. Soon, every memory of him was sealed away, the boxes stuffed to the brim. With no hesitation, she carried them out and dumped them in the trash.
Just as she finished, she looked up to see Nestor approaching.
1
He hadn’t planned to greet her, but his eyes landed on the boxes in the trash, the photos and mementos peeking out.
His gaze sharpened, brows drawing together in a frown
She pretended not to notice, turning to leave, but he suddenly called out to herk
“Daphne, why are you throwing these away? Aren’t these all memories of you and my brother?”
She paused, a bitter sense of irony rising within her. She turned back to him, her voice calm. “It’s been long enough. It’s time for me to move on.”
Move on?
His expression changed instantly. He grabbed her hand “What do you mean by that?!“%
Let go You’re hurting me ”
Feeling the pressure on her wrist, Daphne frowned and yanked her hand free, rubbing her reddened skin.
Noticing her discomfort, Nestor realized hed gone too far. After all, right now, he was supposed to be “Leonardo,” her brother in–law
He forced himself to swallow the surge of emotion. But he couldn’t help asking. “You’re leaving?
Don’t you want me to? Her gaze met his, steady and unflinching, as if peering straight into his soul &
For a moment, he wondered if shed discovered the truth.
But he quickly dismissed the thought Daphne loved him so much she knew she wouldn’t be this can
His demeance settled. Don’t listen to Grandpa The Badges family can take care of you I promised my brother 1d look after you, and I won’t fad him. So you’re never allowed to leave my sight.”
Daphine let out a sorrowful laugh
Chapter 2
She suddenly realized she no longer understood him.
If she left, wouldn’t that make everything easier? He could devote himself to Josephine, no longer forced to keep up this charade, no longer worrying she’d find out the truth.%
So why did he act like he couldn’t bear to let her go?%
Seeing her bittersweet smile, Nestor’s heart clenched. He was about to speak when his phone rang in his pocket.
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