Chapter 418 Heartbreak
Alaric's face suddenly darkened, his eyes dropping to the floor. His lips pressed together slightly, like he was gathering the courage to say what was on his mind.
After a brief pause, he continued, "But when I saw Skylar's drawing, it was like everything clicked. Just now, I realized maybe I've been fooling myself all this time."
Alaric spoke with a resigned smile.
"Alaric."
My heart tightened sharply as I finally understood what Alaric was thinking.
I instinctively wanted to explain, but the words seemed stuck at the tip of my tongue, and I swallowed them back down.
"Diana, during the time we've spent together, I can genuinely feel that Edward still holds a very important, very special place in your heart, even though you two aren't together anymore."
I shook my head with difficulty, wanting to tell Alaric that I no longer had feelings for Edward.
But when my gaze fell on Skylar, sitting alone on the mat, my resolve wavered, and the words got stuck in my throat.
Seeing my silence, Alaric sighed softly, looking very tired. "I don't want to keep waiting hopelessly like this. Every day of anticipation only brings uncertainty. I'm really exhausted, both physically and mentally."
Alaric's voice wasn't loud, nor was his tone forceful, but it felt incredibly heavy to me.
After he finished speaking, he slowly lifted his head, looking directly at me with a determination I'd never seen before.
"So, I've decided to stop pursuing you. From now on, let's just be work partners. This kind of relationship might be better for both of us. I don't want our emotional entanglements to affect our normal lives and work. Mixing personal and professional matters will only make things worse. What do you think?"
Alaric's words seemed carefree, but facing him, I could clearly see the unmistakable sadness and reluctance in his eyes.
It was like he was painfully saying goodbye to a precious but unattainable time.
A sharp pain pierced my heart. I knew very well that I didn't love Alaric. But hearing his resolute words, a wave of bitterness surged in my chest, making me feel as if I was experiencing a breakup.
During the time I spent with Alaric, memories flashed through my mind like a movie reel. The cup of hot coffee he handed me while working late seemed to still warm my palm; every bit of kindness he showed weighed heavily on my heart, filling me with reluctance and guilt.
Yet, amidst these complex emotions, an indescribable sense of relief quietly crept in. The invisible burden that had suffocated me for so long was suddenly lifted, making me feel much lighter.
I looked up at Alaric, no longer anxious, my expression much calmer.
I returned his gaze with a sincere smile. "Thank you, Alaric. Your decision makes me feel much better. No matter what happens in the future, I truly hope you find happiness and meet someone who truly appreciates you."
Alaric's lips twitched slightly, forming a faint smile. There seemed to be a sense of closure in that smile, but upon closer inspection, it also held a trace of undeniable melancholy.
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze somewhat distant, as if looking toward the future. "Thanks for your kind words. I hope we both find our happiness. But our two companies still have a lot of collaborations ahead, so we'll need to keep working hard together."
I nodded firmly, my smile widening.
But in this seemingly peaceful atmosphere, a subtle sense of loss quietly permeated the air. Those once budding feelings, like the first signs of spring, slowly dissipated with Alaric's words.
What remained was the anticipation of future work collaborations and a heartfelt wish for him to start a new chapter in his life.
After Alaric left, I felt all my strength drain away, my legs giving out as I collapsed onto the floor.
Staring at the empty doorway, I felt just as empty inside. I knew my heart was full of emotions, but they were tangled like a mess of threads, impossible to unravel or understand.
Skylar saw me sitting on the floor, lost and despondent, and cautiously moved closer.
She reached out her chubby little arms and gently hugged me, her innocent voice full of concern. "Mommy, Mr. Kingsley left. Are you okay?"
I took a deep breath, forcing a smile, my voice trembling slightly as I patted Skylar's back. "Sweetie, I'm okay, just a bit tired. You're so thoughtful, coming to check on me. It warms my heart."
Despite my words, the facade of calm I tried to maintain nearly shattered when I saw Skylar's clear eyes. My arms instinctively tightened around her, holding her close.
She was my most precious treasure in this world, and in that moment, the tears I'd held back for so long finally broke free, streaming down onto Skylar's shoulder.
When everything around me fell silent, I finally had a moment to think clearly.
I repeatedly questioned myself: Alaric chose to step aside for Edward's sake, but if Edward hadn't wanted to re-enter our lives, Skylar and I wouldn't be in this dangerous and awkward situation.
But even without Edward, wouldn't Jeffrey's presence disrupt our peaceful days?
Compared to Jeffrey, at least Edward genuinely cared for Skylar. After all, Skylar was his biological daughter.
If it weren't for Fiona's interference, Edward had indeed been trying to make up for the lost years of fatherhood, spending time with Skylar and giving her love.
My gaze fell on Skylar's innocent face, and I couldn't help but recall her usual dependence on Edward. Just as Edward said, Skylar needed a father, not someone else.
If I chose to retreat just because of Fiona's threats, causing Skylar to lose her father's companionship again, how could I be so heartless?
My mind felt like a scale, swinging violently between reason and emotion.
I didn't know what to choose, only feeling that the future was shrouded in thick fog, leaving me utterly confused.
I was determined to protect Skylar and our hard-earned peaceful life, but I was deeply afraid that every decision I made would lead to irreversible consequences.
This overwhelming sense of helplessness completely engulfed me, plunging me into endless self-doubt and struggle, unable to find a way out or see the path ahead.
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