Chapter13
For a moment, Adrian hesitated, then tightened his grip on the ring and walked toward Eveline.
She looked surprised to see him, yet refrained from questioning his presence. Instead, she said calmly,
“Grandpa’s in good spirits today. He’s in the garden getting some sun. You can go in.”
Eveline knew she and Adrian were over. But he had grown up under her grandfather’s roof. No matter how
thoroughly she tried to sever ties, she could cut the strings, but not the history.
Just like now, she wouldn’t stop Adrian from visiting her grandfather.
If he still had a shred of decency left, he wouldn’t let the old man know what had really happened between
them.
Adrian froze for a second, then suddenly remembered.
He had almost forgotten how fragile Grandpa Ashford’s health was now.
That’s why… that’s why Eveline was so devastated when he disappeared.
A pang of guilt twisted in his chest. After a long silence, he made up his mind and looked at her.
“Eveline, before I see Grandpa, I need to say something.”
He glanced over at Martin.
Martin caught his meaning right away. Instead of interrupting, he smiled at Eveline. “I’ll wait outside.”
He knew Adrian too well. He also knew Adrian wouldn’t admit to anything unless he had no other choice.
Yes, Adrian was cautious. But he had forgotten–lying and hiding the truth were the blades that had cut
Eveline the deepest.
He had already lost.
As Martin walked away, Adrian let out a breath and quickly pulled out the ring, holding it out to Eveline.
She blinked in surprise.
He pressed his lips together, lowered his gaze, and spoke.
“Eveline, I owe you an apology. I wasn’t in my right mind when I lied to you.”
“But last night, I finally understood… I can’t live without you. So I’m asking–can you give me a chance to start over? To pursue you again?”
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“This ring… it was made in a rush, but I hope it can show you how serious I am. Please, take it.”
Eveline’s heart stirred for a split second.
She had truly loved him, for years. That kind of history didn’t vanish overnight.
But forgiveness?
She wasn’t that easy.
She shook her head, firm but polite.
“Thank you for the apology. But I won’t accept the ring.”
Before Adrian could respond, she suddenly changed the subject.
“By the way, do you remember the emerald Grandpa asked someone to find?”
Something in her voice made him pause.
Without knowing why, she found herself giving him one last chance–to tell the truth.
Even if it wouldn’t change anything, at least she could walk away knowing the man she once loved wasn’t
a complete fraud.
But Adrian had no idea what she was really thinking.
The mention of the emerald jolted him.
The emerald…
Last year, Maria’s dog had gotten sick, and she’d asked to borrow it. He hadn’t thought much of it at the
time.
But now, standing in front of Eveline, he remembered–Grandpa had asked for that emerald specifically.
Maria… had probably taken good care of it, right?
Still, her gaze made him nervous.
He forced himself to stay calm and nodded. “I’ve kept it safe.”
“Good. Next time we meet, bring it. I intend to have it blessed for Grandfather’s wellbeing.”
She gave a thin smile, one that didn’t reach her eyes.
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Adrian stiffened. His heartbeat quickened.
She turned and walked away before he could say anything more.
He no longer felt like visiting Grandpa.
Instead, he pulled out his phone and sent Maria a message asking about the emerald.
Her reply came fast–but it shattered him.
“Muffin got scared and ran off that day. The emerald was on her collar. I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to lose it.”
Panic surged through him.
He didn’t even finish reading the rest of the message before jumping into his car and driving straight
toward the cave.
Dark clouds hung overhead. Rain threatened.
Still, Adrian climbed the mountain and entered the cave.
He had no professional gear–just a flashlight and desperation.
He called out Muffin’s name over and over, his voice echoing down the stone walls.
Nothing.
After what felt like forever, he turned around, disheartened.
But the path back had changed.
The ground, once just damp, was now a thick, muddy mess. Water trickled from the cracks in the walls.
Panic surged through him again, spurring him to move faster.
That’s when the flashlight died.
Frantically, he pulled out his phone. One percent battery left.
He dialed Martin.
If Martin picked up, he would tell Eveline.
And Eveline… she’d come for him. Right?
Hope flickered–then died.
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No signal.
Adrian stood there, frozen.
Then, in a panic, he turned down the wrong corridor–a dead end.
His phone shut off.
He slumped to the ground, surrounded by silence and darkness.
Only his breath echoed back at him.
In the stillness, memories surfaced.
Three days ago–he left Eveline alone here.
Three years ago–he lied and said he had come here too.
He hadn’t.
He got there only after it was too late, when she’d already been pulled out, bloody and unconscious.
They told him she’d searched the entire cave for a full day and night.
On her way back, exhausted, she’d fallen–two meters straight down.
Did she feel this helpless then too?
Adrian let out a hollow laugh, then slapped himself across the face.
Karma.
This was karma.
He had lied about coming here. Nearly cost her her life.
Now the universe was evening the score–leaving him in the very place he had once used as a lie.
Chapter13
