雨水 [25] / [35]
―Like I did. If I wanted wealth, I would've stayed here. I wanted you. Now . . .
She fell to her knees sobbing.
―Now I want you to go! Go and never come back!
The man, probably her fiancé, who stood at her side a few moments ago came running over, and tried to help her up, but she pushed him away. She sobbed so bitterly, neither me nor Hans could reach her anymore. As she kept crying, Hans called out to somebody.
―Martha! Martha!
Then a young woman came running.
―Take her into the room, comfort her please. I will be there soon.
The woman, who seemed to be a maid of the house, nodded to him. She helped Adeline get to her feet, threw an arm around her shoulder and got her inside of the house. Now only Hans and I remained in silence.
―She had refused to get rid of the baby for awhile.
Hans began to speak to me in a quiet voice.
―It wasn't such a simple thing to convince her as you think. She could never take the next step in our relationship until she forsook everything about you.
I was irritated by what he said, but simultaneously felt deep emptiness. Everything felt unreal. Everything. Adeline's departure. That I was listening to a man who was now engaged to a woman I still loved, to a woman who, days before, was carrying my child, my legacy. A symbol of our love. I felt numb.
I didn't even try to look at his face, just listened to him silently, distractedly.
―I have loved her ever since I saw her for the first time. Even though she fell in love with another man once, and fell pregnant with another guy's child, that love is unchangeable. Because nothing is meaningful to me except her.
If I could be a rich man like Hans, could I have been romantic like him?
―She won't be in this country anymore, I will bring her to my home right after we're married. As soon as she recovers enough.
He paused for a little while, awaiting my response, but, when I stayed silent, he continued.
―I just hope you never interfere in her life again. That is my last and only advice to you. And a warning.
He finished speaking, pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, and made a call.
―Guide this man to the exit. Yes, now.