Chapter 12 

“Celestine, I’m sorry. That day, I was blinded by anger, completely unable to think rationally That’s why I misunderstood you. I never meant to hurt you.” 

As he spoke, Blake pulled out the wedding ring he had once thrown at my face, holding it out nervously with trembling hands. 

“I’ve been searching for this for two days, and I finally found it. Celestine, everything was my fault. I’ve already torn up the divorce papers. Let’s start over. Let me spend the rest of my life making it up to you, please?” 

Every word was sincere, his tone almost begging. He stared at me, desperately hoping I would get the ring. 

1 gave a bitter laugh and shook my head. My voice was steady, but it cut deep. 

“It’s too late, Blake. That night, you said I trampled on your love. But weren’t you doing the very same thing to me? If anyone had spoken ill of you in front of me, I would’ve defended you without hesitation. I would’ve stood by you, because I loved you, because I knew you. I would’ve chosen to believe you unconditionally.” 

“But you? When I was at my weakest, when I needed you most, you chose to publicly trample my dignity and my love. You drove a knife straight into my heart. The moment you pushed me away everything between us ended. Our marriage was discarded-just like this ring you once threw away.” 

I closed the door on him, unwilling to say another word. 

But Blake didn’t give up. Every day, he appeared downstairs, tirelessly begging for my forgiveness. 

Yet trust was the most extravagant luxury. Once lost, it could never be retrieved. 

When I was drowning in helplessness and despair, Blake chose to stand against me. From that moment on, he lost the right to walk beside me. 

sent him the divorce papers, changed all my contact information, and moved to a city where no one knew my name. 

This time, I was determined to leave the past behind. 

To live freely. 

To live beautifully. 

To live for myself.