The Frozen Ground flaws

雨水 [23] / [35]

But the next moment, I realized how she tried to sacrifice her life for me. She gave up a luxurious lifestyle just for me, chose me only for love. But I drove her away, by chasing only money, rather than staying by her side to build a better future with her. It was a big delusion.

Since I chose money above her, she lost the meaning of choosing a poor life with me. That’s why she left. I realized and despaired. Why did I take her for granted? It was useless to regret now.

I couldn’t come back without seeing her. I needed to make sure that relations between us were truly over, by her saying it, and it would be as she said. I took a taxi, and went back to her house, preparing for a beating by her father, or whoever.

I rang the bell, and a woman answered. I didn't know her, but I pleaded with her to let me see Adeline just one time. She said nothing. After a long pause, the door opened again to me. I ran into the yard looking around, searching frantically to find Adeline. And I found her like magic. She was standing at the end of the yard. But she wasn’t alone. There was a man next to her. I took wavering steps, made ever more uneasy by his presence, and cautiously approached her. We faced each other.

―You came here.

She said after a pause.

―I did. How have you been?

I tried to speak as lightly as possible. She didn’t say anything. Chilly wind grazed us.

After a while she spoke. Not to me, to the guy next to her.

―Hans, would you let us be alone? Just for a moment.

The guy named Hans, nodded to her, looked at my face and walked off.

When he left, completely out of sight, she opened her lips.

―What made you think to come here?

―I have wanted to talk to you, since you left me like that.

―Talk about what?

I couldn’t feel any warmth from her voice as before. That coldness dispirited my bravery.

―As I said to you right before I left the house, we’re over. I will never go back to you, Alex. I am engaged to Hans.

―But how so abruptly? You were with me for such a long time. How could you be engaged in such in a hurry? Besides . . .

The word seemed to choke me.