Chapter 8
Listening to Josephine’s relentless taunts, Daphne squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block it all out.
But the pain Josephine expected to see never flickered across Daphne’s face. The gloating triumph on Josephine’s lips faltered, melting into anger and humiliation. Just as she raised her hand, ready to lash out, she caught sight of Nestor approaching from across the hall–a flash of malice darted through her eyes.
Her movement halted abruptly. Then, without warning, she stumbled backward and tumbled down the stairs.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye–so fast Daphne barely registered what was going on before Josephine’s scream rang out and she crashed down the steps./
Daphne froze, instinctively glancing to the foot of the stairs. Sure enough, she saw Nestor’s face twisted in shock and fury as he dashed toward her.
“Josephine!”
Josephine, pale and trembling, leaned into Nestor’s arms. Sweat glistened on her brow as she tried to stifle her pain. When she spoke, her words seemed to absolve Daphne, but the accusation was clear and damning.
“Honey, don’t blame my sister. She’s just heartbroken since her husband died. I’m fine, really…”
“I didn’t-” Daphne started, desperate to defend herself, but she was cut off.
Josephine’s choked sobs only fanned Nestor’s anger. His words came out harsh and unfiltered. “Daphne, your husband’s gone, but that doesn’t give you the right to take it out on others. Don’t forget, Josephine isn’t like you–she still has her husband to stand by her!”
With that, he swept Josephine up in his arms and walked away, never once looking back.
Watching the two of them disappear, Daphne felt as if someone had reached into her chest and twisted her heart with all their strength. Even after they let go, the Dain lingered.%
Her chest ached fiercely–she clutched at it with trembling fingers. And as she tried to laugh it off, she found tears streaming down her cheeks.
So Josephine is different, is she? Because she still has a husband to protect her.
Nestor… only you know whose husband you really are.
In the end, Daphne returned home alone, and realized she had only three days left before she would leave for good.
This time, she didn’t lock herself away. Instead, she retraced the steps of the love she and Nestor once shared.
On the first day, Daphne went to Moonlight Lovers‘ Bridge.
Legend had it that couples who fastened a love lock to the railings of Moonlight Lovers‘ Bridge would stay together forever. Back when she and Nestor were at their happiest, they’d come here too.%
Years had passed, but as Daphne stepped onto the bridge again, she saw both sides crowded with love locks, layer upon layer.
She walked to the center, and right away, her eyes fell on the old lock they’d fastened together. The engraving was clumsy and crooked:
“Nestor & Daphne, together forever!“%
He’d held her hand as they carved the words. Nestor, whose handwriting was always praised, had fumbled awkwardly with the metal, and she’d teased him about for weeks.
he’d blushed–so rare for someone usually so composed. “Daphne, my mind’s so full of you, I can’t even write straight. You’ll have to make it up to me.” And then he’d silenced her with a kiss.%
Now, with her eyes stinging, Daphne pulled out the tiny key, unlocked their love lock, and tossed it far into the ravine below–out of sight, gone for good. Nestor, you could have won an Oscar.%
I never realized your performance was so convincing–that you could act like you loved me with your whole heart, while secretly, it belonged to Josephine all along.N
