Grief and Madness: After His Daughter Died

While my child was in critical condition, Grayson was with his first love, helping her give birth.

My baby never got to see her father before she died.

I called Grayson countless times, and all I got was...

"Are you using our daughter to force me to come back?"

On the day of our baby's funeral, his first love posted a picture of her daughter on social media with the caption.

"Daughters are their daddy's little lovers from a past life. Look whose little sweetheart this is!"

The limitededition cufflinks on the hand in the photo were unmistakably Grayson's.

When I saw him again, I asked for a divorce.

...

"Let's get a divorce, Grayson."

"Violet, divorce? I don't allow it. You have no right to ask me for a divorce."

I anxiously waited in the hallway for an hour while my daughter was in emergency care. I called Grayson countless times.

He finally answered, sounding extremely impatient.

"Violet, you don't need to check on me. I'm indeed with Mila..."

"You need to come to the hospital. Emily is having a heart attack and is in emergency care," I said tiredly, feeling choked up.

While our daughter was fighting for her life, Grayson was with his first love. At that moment, I felt utterly powerless.

Grayson sarcastically replied, "Are you cursing our daughter just to make me come back?"

I was speechless.

"Grayson, it hurts. Is the baby coming out?"

On the other end of the phone, Mila's coy voice could be heard. Grayson comforted her tenderly while his daughter was still fighting for her life in the emergency room.

I hung up the phone and watched as the emergency room light turned off. I leaned against the wall, completely drained. The door opened, and the doctor approached me.

"Mrs. White, we did our best."

"No." I looked at the small hospital bed where Emily lay alone. Just this morning, she had proudly shown me the new hair clip her classmate gave her, but now she couldn't wake up to hug me.

I walked over and held Emily, whispering, "I'm sorry, baby. I failed you. I couldn't save you."

Grayson and I had an arranged marriage. Our grandfather arranged it. My mom was also best friends with Grayson's mom, so I was told from birth that I was to marry him.

When we were students, I always stuck to Grayson like a shadow. I didn't like making friends, but Grayson was different. He loved to have fun and often stayed out late, asking me to cover for him with his grandpa, Ryan.

Grayson treated me as a tool to ward off other girls, but one day, I heard them call Mila "sisterinlaw."

They said Grayson was with Mila, the school beauty. I ran to the rooftop to confront him, only to find Mila boldly blocking his way.

Mila said, "I knew you didn't like that boring bookworm, Violet. She looks so frigid."

The wind was strong on the rooftop that day, and I couldn't hear Grayson's response clearly. I only saw him mock me.

"Not even jealous? You are really dull."

After that, I stopped clinging to Grayson and began seeing other boys. But every time, Grayson would show up and warn me to remember my status.

After graduation, my family was investigated. My father was involved in a murder case and went to prison, and my mom went abroad and rarely returned. I thought Grayson and I could never be together, but Ryan rushed our marriage.

The White family didn't mind my family's downfall, but on the wedding night, Grayson changed. He said not to expect love from him and that I had schemed to become his wife, so I should stay in that position forever.

I didn't understand Grayson's feelings for me, but since we had Emily, he became much colder toward me.

He seldom came home, and whenever he did, he was drunk. He didn't like me, so he naturally wouldn't like Emily either.

Over the years, Grayson never spent a single birthday with Emily. Even when she cried and begged him to stay, he ruthlessly shook off her hand.

Emily was just a child. On the way to the hospital, she held me and said, "Mommy, don't cry. I'll be good." With a pale face, she said she wanted to see her daddy.

At that time, Grayson was with Mila, waiting for her to give birth. My phone vibrated twice.

I dismissed the call, but it came again. When I answered, I heard Mila's provocative voice on the other end.

"Violet, did you know? I had a daughter too. You wouldn't believe how sweet and soft she is. Grayson adores her so much. He was the first to hold her..."

I hung up the phone, tears streaming down my face. My heart ached so much. Her daughter was born, but my Emily was gone.

The difference between love and indifference was so clear. But what did Emily do to deserve this?

Back home, I saw Emily's favorite toys scattered all over the floor. When Ryan arrived, I was holding a doll about the size of Emily.

I had cried until I had no tears left.

My Emily.

"Violet, it's Grayson who has wronged you. It's the White family that has wronged you," Ryan said angrily, demanding the butler find out where Grayson was.

It didn't matter where Grayson was. My Emily was gone. I looked up, unable to speak a word, bitter and heartbroken.

"I will divorce Grayson. I want to take all of Emily's belongings."

Her daddy didn't love her, but I did. What Grayson didn't want, I treasured.

"Don't talk nonsense. I promised you I would take care of you for life."

Outside, Grayson stumbled through the door, looking around frantically but not finding Emily.

His voice trembled violently as he roared, "Why would you hide something this big from me, Violet? Have you gotten bold? Where is Emily? You must be lying to me. Where did you hide her?"

Grayson walked up to me, but I no longer had the strength to argue with him.

Ryan slapped him, saying, "You bastard! Your daughter is gone. How dare you to be with another woman."

Their shouting was too loud. It disturbed Emily.

Grayson was never a considerate person. He never said he loved me but readily agreed to marry me. I was the one who loved him deeply, and it was my own fault for stubbornly pursuing him despite the pain. But Emily was innocent.

Ryan broke several canes, beating Grayson until his back was bloody and raw.

Finally, he collapsed on the ground. I walked past him barefoot, hearing his weak voice.

"Violet, I'm sorry. You used too many tricks to get me to come home, exhausting my trust in you. I never expected so many people to be watching over Emily and yet..."

I stopped and turned to look at Grayson. He had become so unfamiliar, blaming me for not taking care of Emily.

"Let's get a divorce, Grayson."

"I won't agree to it, Violet. You can forget it." Grayson tried to stand up, but Ryan had beaten him too severely. "You wanted to get married, and now you want a divorce. Why should everything be up to you?"

I gave Grayson a cold and resolute look. Wouldn't our divorce clear the way for Mila?

"Isn't this what you wanted, Grayson?"

"I'll have the lawyer send you the papers. All you need to do is sign them."

Perhaps he didn't expect me to be so determined. Grayson tried to grab me, but he was too badly beaten and fell several times.

"Violet, I'm seriously hurt..."

He said with pitiful tone. Before, he wouldn't even need to say a word. A small scratch would make me worry to death.

I went back to Emily's room and sat on her bed. Soon, Grayson came in, awkwardly trying to explain.

"I know you're very sad about Emily. If you want to cry, just cry. I'll be here with you, Violet," he said.

He sat down beside me, but I didn't want to talk to him anymore.

Shortly after, Grayson's phone rang, and I heard Mila's voice.

"I'll be right there. Wait for me," Grayson said, glancing at me. He hung up and tried to kiss me, but I dodged. He said Mila had fallen, and he needed to go check on her.

He said there was nothing between him and Mila and told me not to overthink it. He said we'd start over when he got back.

"You're disturbing Emily."

...

In the following days, every divorce agreement I sent was torn up by Grayson. It seemed he was deliberately avoiding me.

I personally received Emily's urn and arranged her favorite flowers myself. I wanted to accompany Emily on this final journey.

Grayson never showed up at the funeral, and many people were talking about me.

"How could I not know, since I went to school with Violet? Grayson never liked her. He liked our school's beauty, Mila."

"I heard Violet's dad took the fall for the White family. Violet must have something on them."

There were many rumors, but they all believed I forced Grayson to marry me. In their minds, I used any means to become his wife, and my current situation was deserved.

I stood in the wind, still waiting for Grayson. Ryan was furious.

"Call him."

"No need, Grandpa. I've taken all of Emily's things. If Grayson refuses to sign, I'll sue for divorce."

"Sigh," Ryan sighed heavily. "I watched you two grow up together. How did it come to this? If Grayson's mother were still here, she wouldn't want to see you like this."

My heart ached as memories flooded back like waves. Grayson's mother loved me dearly. She used to say that if Grayson ever wronged me, she would break his legs. Her smile was always so bright, like a beam of light, yet she ended up jumping off a building due to depression.

Since then, Grayson became much more withdrawn. It was just before the college entrance exams, and the White family kept the news of his mother's death from him. They also told me not to tell Grayson, fearing it would upset him.

Later that night, amid thunder and lightning, Grayson found out and completely broke down. He began to hate me too.

"If you don't come to Emily's funeral today, don't ever return to the White residence. I'll consider you no grandson of mine!"

Ryan angrily hung up the phone and handed it to me. I unlocked it and saw the latest updates on social media.

Mila had posted a picture of her daughter with the caption, "Daughters are daddy's little lovers from a past life. Look whose little sweetheart this is?"

People in the comments were joking, saying it must be Grayson's illegitimate child.

The cufflink visible on the hand in the photo was a limited edition with a national style pattern. Only Grayson had it in Avolle city.

I felt deeply uncomfortable and sick to my stomach. With Ryan by my side, I accompanied Emily on her final journey.

I touched the photo, remembering how, after every argument with Grayson, Emily would come over to hug me and wipe away my tears. She was so young, but she already knew Grayson didn't love us.

Emily would say, "Mommy, don't be afraid. If Daddy won't spend your birthday with you, I will."

She was my little sweetheart, never Grayson's.

That night, I returned to my place to find Grayson drunk and lying there. He reached out to grab me.

"Violet, don't leave me. You're still so young. We can still have our own children," Grayson said.

Grayson, do you really have no heart?

"Can we start over, Violet?" He pulled at me, gripping me tightly.

"No, Grayson."

Grayson's tall shadow loomed over me. His breathing was heavy. When he heard my words, he actually started crying.

"Why can't you just be a little more compliant, Violet? Will it kill you to give in?"

With a loud bang, Grayson kicked something nearby.

I had long lost any expectations for him. What did he mean by giving in? Emily was gone, and there were no ties left between us.

"You can tear up the divorce agreement, but I'll keep sending them. It's just a waste of a few sheets of paper."

"There's nothing between Mila and me. Why don't you believe me?"

Grayson was very frustrated. His eyes were red as he looked at me, asking what it would take for me to believe him.

"I know you mind about Mila, but..." Grayson hesitated. He paused and said it wasn't what I thought.

"I don't mind. What I care most about is Emily. Do you know, Grayson? Emily wanted to see you one last time before she died, but you refused her."

Grayson's whole body went rigid. He seemed to lose all his strength and slid down the wall.

He collapsed outside the door like a drunkard, murmuring, "I'm sorry, baby. It's me who let you down."

How ironic. Emily had humbly begged him before, but Grayson treated her like that.

What's the point of late remorse?

I went back inside, locked the door, and curled up on the sofa. The house was empty, with no more sounds of Emily's laughter. As soon as I closed my eyes, tears would fall.

I remembered receiving Emily's urn and knowing she would never come back to me.

I felt so sick and nauseous. The light of my life had been extinguished, and I no longer wanted to continue this long journey of life.

The next day, when I went out, I saw Grayson still sitting there.

He heard the door open and stood up excitedly. He was still wearing the same clothes from the day before. The usually fastidious Grayson had spent the night there.

How ironic.

"I'll take you..."

I took out the divorce agreement, coldly saying, "No need. Just sign it, Grayson. I'm telling you clearly, there's no chance for us anymore."

"Violet, what do I have to do for you to give me a chance?"

"Can you bring Emily back to life?" I looked at Grayson. He fell silent, and his phone kept vibrating. I saw Mila's name on the screen.

Grayson irritably hung up the phone, but the caller wasn't giving up and called again.

Grayson answered the phone, "I'm not a doctor. If you have a problem, talk to a doctor, okay? Are you done?"

"..."

The person on the other end seemed shocked by Grayson's harshness and started crying. Grayson said he would change and wouldn't give Mila more chances in the future.

"Can you give me some time? I'll handle it. I really have my reasons, Violet."

"Not necessary."

I really didn't want to argue with Grayson. If he had looked back at me before and given me even a little sweetness, I would have been happy.

But not anymore. I needed to go to the White residence to handle the remaining matters.

I never expected Mila, that crazy woman, to directly block my car. I slammed on the brakes and swerved sharply.

"Are you crazy? If you don't want to live, don't drag me down with you." I glared at Mila.

She ran over like a lunatic, using her body to block my car.

"Do you know why the White family still accepted you after your family went bankrupt? Your dad traded his life for your wealth."

?

What did she mean?

I looked at Mila. She laughed. "You're so stupid. Did you really think Grayson loved you? He just wanted to keep you in place."

"Just say what you have to say."

Mila's madness was related to Grayson's attitude. I knew Grayson's recent actions had provoked this woman.

"Go ask your dad if he was the one who committed the murder. He took the fall for the White family to secure your position as Mrs. White."

"You're pretty disgusting too, climbing up on your father's blood and flesh."

Mila said that the rumors in our circle were true. It was my father's bloodstained hands that boosted me up.

"Do you think you're much nobler than me? If it weren't for you, I would be Grayson's wife. Think about it, has Grayson ever said he liked you?"

My heart felt uneasy. I didn't fully believe Mila's words.

Ever since my family went bankrupt and my father went to prison, I became the murderer's daughter. But Ryan protected me, saving me from being humiliated.

What if what Mila said was true?

I went to see my father, but he refused to see me again. Since then, he hadn't seen me, no matter what I tried.

I had no choice but to go to the White residence first.

"You've made up your mind about the divorce, right? Violet, don't worry about the property division. The White family won't treat you unfairly."

Ryan was especially kind to me. I hesitated, the words on the tip of my tongue.

"That scoundrel Grayson doesn't know your worth, but we do." Ryan sighed and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes. "Poor Emily. I should never have insisted on you marrying him."

Ryan apologized to me and the Smith family.

"Is it because of my dad?" I finally asked, "Did he take the fall for the White family?"

"Is it because of my dad?"I finally asked, "Did he take the fall for the White family?"

Ryan's expression changed suddenly.

"Yes, but it was your father's choice. I know it's hard to believe," Ryan said, instructing someone to bring a box down from upstairs.

I took the box and opened it with trembling hands. Inside was a handwritten letter from my father. It was his confession.

He chose this path willingly. The Smith family was already failing, with too much debt to cover. He used his life to secure a future for the Smith family. He expressed his concern for me, asked the White family to treat me well, and said he knew I liked Grayson. He hoped the White family would keep their word.

As I looked at the familiar handwriting, I thought of the happy times when the three of us were together.

But after I started middle school, my parents' relationship changed. They often argued, sometimes even breaking things at home.

In front of me, they pretended to be loving.

Their relationship had long been broken. I talked with my mom back then and knew she had someone else. I could accept their divorce.

In this era, there's no need to stay together for the sake of the children.

But my mom sneered and said I didn't understand. She couldn't be happy in this circle.

After that, my mom rarely saw me. Instead, Grayson's mom often bought me gifts and took me out.

"I respect your choice," Ryan sighed. "This matter couldn't be hidden forever. If you want to overturn the case, I can help you."

Maybe Ryan felt guilty about Emily's death. I told him I wanted to see my father.

"Alright, I'll arrange it."

I got to see my father, but he refused to revisit the old case. He said I didn't need to worry about it.

"I did it willingly. Don't come to see me anymore. Our bond ends here."

My father kept his back to me. I couldn't understand what he wanted, or how he could be so heartless.

"I don't need you to use your life to pave the way for me, Dad. I really don't. I haven't liked Grayson for a long time... I..."

I didn't want to live alone and miserable. I wanted my own family. But my family had been broken since middle school.

My father said coldly, "It wasn't for you. Don't feel guilty. I did it for myself."

I didn't know how I left that day. The glaring sunlight shone on me as I walked.

Emily was gone, and so was my little family.

My parents were estranged from me. My family was shattered.

I walked down the street like a puppet, when suddenly there was a screech of brakes. Grayson pulled me to safety.

His eyes were red, "Are you okay?"

I had nearly been hit by a car. Grayson held me tightly and said he was scared to death. He told me it was better not to go out for a while because my mental state was too unstable.

I struggled to speak, telling Grayson, "I didn't deliberately hide your mother's death from you."

Tears fell from my eyes, and Grayson froze for a moment. He gently wiped away my tears and spoke softly.

"I know, I don't blame you."

Grayson was like me. His family was also broken. But he was luckier than me. The White family hadn't gone bankrupt, and his grandfather was still alive.

"Be good, let's not talk about that," Grayson said, taking me home. He apologized, "Mila has been threatening me with this, that's why I..."

He said there was nothing between him and Mila.

That child wasn't his either. Back in school, he just wanted to see if I, the blockhead, would get jealous.

"..."

Just to see if I'd get jealous, he deliberately kept close with Mila, letting the rumors spread.

They believed Grayson and Mila were a perfect match and treated me as the third party. Some even blocked me on the rooftop after school to stand up for Mila.

They were many and physically assaulted me, even stripping me to humiliate me.

Even though I fought back later, because of Grayson's attitude, my high school years were still marked with disgrace.

"You could have told me, Grayson."

My body trembled uncontrollably, those memories were unbearable. Grayson reached out to hug me, gently stroking my back.

"I was afraid you'd despise me if you knew about Uncle Smith. Just like back then, you turned away and ignored me."

Grayson was referring to the time when rumors were rampant, and I avoided being with him.

"I've been used to you following me since we were kids. I always knew I'd marry you when I grew up. My mom..." Grayson paused, opening his mouth but not continuing.

I was very tired. I leaned on the sofa and did nothing. I fell asleep.

In my dream, I was back to my childhood. Grayson and I were neighbors, and we were close. I often sat by my window, secretly talking to Grayson through his.

He would gently tell me bedtime stories, coax me to sleep early, and buy me many little gifts.

Violet, Violet...

I was awakened by the sound of Grayson's low breathing in my ear.

I saw Grayson busy in the kitchen. He was a good cook and quickly prepared a sumptuous meal, but the smell made me want to vomit.

I missed Emily. If she were here, she would have hugged me. Emily had always been very sensible, and everyone said she was emotionally intelligent for her age.

But behind her sensibility was a father who didn't love her. She carefully tried to win Grayson's affection.

"You don't need to go to all this trouble. I won't eat, and there's no need to be kind to me. Even if there's nothing between you and Mila, it's impossible for us."

"I know I haven't treated you well, nor Emily. Give me a chance to make it right, please?"

Grayson said he just didn't know how to express his feelings. It was his first time being a father, and when he saw Emily, so small, he wanted to hold her.

He wanted to comfort Emily, but every time he reached out, his body would stiffen.

"I couldn't face Emily, and I couldn't face you."

"Ridiculous." I laughed in anger. It was clearly their fault, yet my Emily had to bear it all.

What did Emily do to deserve being born into my womb, to endure Grayson's cold violence? From the moment she was born, I knew she had congenital heart disease.

I watched over her carefully, afraid this time bomb would explode. My carefully nurtured little flower still wilted in the end.

"Grayson, you don't understand my pain, and you don't deserve Emily's goodness."

"The unopened gifts are all in Emily's little room. Grayson, if you still have a heart, accept her kindness."

I didn't really want to give them to Grayson, but I wanted him to feel guilty. How could someone like him deserve an angel like Emily?

Grayson's body stiffened. He gently coaxed me, "Eat something first. You can't keep not eating or drinking."

"I don't need you to worry about me. I won't seek death. Emily said I need to be strong. I will live on in her place."

Grayson sighed deeply and went to that room.

Grayson didn't like pink, and he made it very obvious. Emily deliberately avoided these colors when choosing wrapping boxes for him.

Every year for birthdays and holidays, Emily prepared gifts.

She had drawn a family portrait by hand, with crooked writing beside it, wishing for family peace and happiness.

There were also beaded chains she made herself, beautifully colored, custommade for both of us for Valentine's Day. I had one too.

As Grayson looked at them, he started crying, tears streaming down his cheeks. He said he truly deserved to die.

"I'm sorry, Emily."

Emily was gone, and Grayson held onto those gifts tightly, expressing his guilt toward her.

I didn't want to see his repentance. I just wanted Grayson to live in guilt. Why should I be the only one suffering?

"I really deserve to die..."

Yes, you really do deserve it.

But what's the point of saying all these useless words now, Grayson? There are no regrets in life. Whether for you or the White family, we won't meet again in the future.

As expected, Grayson quieted down a lot after that and didn't appear in my sight anymore.

I took over an art gallery. Emily loved painting and was very talented. We had a lot of her paintings stored at home.

She once told me, "Mommy, when I grow up, I want to have an art exhibition. I want others to see the world as I see it."

She wanted to donate all the money earned from the exhibition to blind children. Emily said they couldn't experience the colors of the world and were already very unfortunate.

She loved the brilliance of this world. As I looked at her paintings, tears welled up in my eyes again. It was a pity that now even Emily couldn't see the colors of this world anymore.

There was originally some trouble with the exhibition venue. I had agreed on a time with someone, but they suddenly backed out and gave it to me.

Maybe Emily was watching over me.

I bought a bunch of flower and went to the cemetery to visit Emily. She was so lonely lying there alone.

I reached out and touched the photo on the tombstone. Emily's smile was still so warm.

Tears streamed down my face. I knew Emily was gone forever, but I still wanted to stay with her. Memories flashed through my mind of when I gave birth to Emily, and Grayson wasn't there.

Emily was a good baby. Everyone said daughters look like their fathers.

Emily's eyebrows and eyes looked just like Grayson's, but he didn't get to hold her.

It wasn't until late at night that I saw Grayson sneak in to hold Emily. The peacefully sleeping baby was woken up by him.

That was the first time I saw Grayson at a loss. His eyes clearly showed love and affection.

He excitedly kissed Emily over and over, not daring to hold her too tightly for fear of breaking her.

I didn't expose Grayson. The next day, I woke up to find him sleeping next to me for once, his body stiff and a distance away from me.

When Grayson woke up, he returned to his usual self. He asked what I wanted to eat. I was very surprised because we had several maids, and he didn't need to bother.

He said he remembered I liked the rice balls from the school gate and unusually went to buy them for me. At that time, I naively thought Grayson wouldn't distance himself from Emily because of me.

After that was the anniversary of Grayson's mother's death. He came to me drunk, crying and disturbing Emily several times so she couldn't sleep.

I had a fight with him and told him to go outside to act crazy. But he grabbed my neck and said I owed him this.

Grayson said the Smith family owed him. Later, he cried all night. I took Emily away and didn't see him for a long time.

My relationship with Grayson became very strange.

But Grayson wasn't like this when we were kids.

He was the brother. When others bullied me, he would protect me. They all said Grayson only smiled when he saw Violet and acted like a brother.

When did it all change?

I no longer wanted to revisit the past. What was done was done. Just as I was in a daze,

a piercing sound came from behind.

I heard Mila's vicious voice. She came at me with a knife. I fell to the ground, dodging her attack.

"If it weren't for you, Grayson wouldn't have rejected me," Mila cried, her eyes filled with terrifying malice. "You have to die, Violet. Only then will Grayson be mine."

Mila said that only if I died would Grayson truly belong to her.

"Are you crazy? I've already divorced Grayson. Don't involve me in your mess," I said.

I grabbed Mila's hand tightly, using all my strength, afraid that the knife would pierce my heart if I slipped.

Mila laughed like a madwoman.

My strength was waning, but with one last effort, I kicked her hard, causing her to fall.

I quickly ran outside.

"I'm telling you..." Mila's voice was frantic. "Grayson loves me. He could never love you."

I ran urgently, suddenly seeing two suspicious men outside. Mila said I couldn't escape.

Today, she intended to kill me!

"Only the dead won't cause trouble. You should die, Violet," Mila said.

Mila stabbed at me with the knife. Suddenly, a figure flashed by. Grayson pushed me aside and took the knife in his back.

I watched blood spurt out and saw Mila's deranged expression.

"Grayson, what are you doing? You took the knife for her? Do you love her that much?" Mila cried. "I killed Grayson. I killed the person I love most."

I went to support Grayson, deeply shocked.

Grayson's weary eyes looked at me. His bloodcovered hand grabbed mine.

He said, "I'm sorry I was late, Violet."

"I love you, Violet."

Grayson's words made me very uncomfortable. My heart ached. He said he didn't dare to love me and was really scared, but he had to say it today or he would never have another chance.

"I know I've been terrible to you... Violet, it's okay if you hate me."

"Don't, Grayson. Don't die..."

The ambulance and police arrived simultaneously. I went to the hospital with Grayson. The White family had already sealed off the cemetery.

Mila was also arrested. I waited anxiously in the hospital corridor.

All I could think of was how Grayson had just spoken to me.

Didn't dare to love me?

"Am I some kind of monster, Grayson? I'm very grateful you saved me, but I don't want to owe you. You must not die."

The wait was long. Ryan said everything over there was taken care of.

"Mila has been locked up, and her child isn't Grayson's. Violet, we all misunderstood Grayson before."

"Grandpa, I also hope Grayson is okay. I don't want to owe him, but... there's really no chance for us."

Ryan sighed heavily, wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes, looking at me with sorrow.

He said he didn't understand why two good families had ended up like this.

"Huh, it's a sin."

We waited until the operation was over. Fortunately, Grayson was fine. I sighed with relief, but he didn't wake up. I stayed by his bedside.

Grayson didn't sleep soundly, mumbling my name constantly.

"No, Violet, no... don't go."

I wasn't going to leave, nor would I leave Grayson alone. In our past relationship, Grayson wasn't good to me. Love or not, it couldn't be forced. Even though I didn't want any ties with him.

He saved me and took that knife for me. When Grayson woke up and saw me, he actually smiled.

Grayson grabbed my hand and said it was good to see me again.

"..."

Why was there such a divide? He clearly disliked me before, but now he could say such things.

"Thank you for saving me, Grayson."

"Violet, let's put the past behind us and start over, okay?"