Alexis held onto him tightly, her touch transporting him to the past.
Suddenly, Ollieâs bark from downstairs brought him back to the present.
Meeting his gaze, Alexis spoke up softly.
âLeonel, you might keep me tied to you with this baby for a year or two, but can you really keep me forever? Deep down, you know Iâll leave eventually, donât you?â
Her words stirred a whirlwind of emotions in Leonel.
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Heâd always understood he couldnât hold onto Alexis indefinitely.
Butâ¦
Leonel forced a bitter smile, stepping back slightly.
He brushed her cheek gently, surprised when she didnât pull away.
It might have been the most tender moment theyâd shared in a year.
His voice caught in his
throat as he spoke.
âIf I can hold onto you for even just one more day, Alexis, Iâll do it⦠Maybe Iâve grown accustomed to your presence.
I canât imagine a life without you.
Maybe your life would be better, freer, if you hadnât taken me in in the first place.
But, Alexis, you did.
And no matter what⦠I canât bear to let you go now!â
After saying that, Leonelâs eyes shimmered briefly.
He didnât want Alexis to see him cry, so he abruptly turned and left the room.
Alexis saw his tears but said nothing.
*
Due to Alexisâ pregnancy, Leonel refrained from intimacy.
However, Alexis refused to go through with the pregnancy.
Her appetite decreased, and she grew thinner, often just sitting quietly by the window, lost in thought.
From that day on, she refused to speak to Leonel.
Evelyn suggested that Alexis was homesickâ¦
December weather in Merblune remained cool and pleasant.
One day, Leonel took Evelyn to the countryside to gather maple leaves.
He intended to create a photo album for Alexisâ¦
They returned to the villa at three-thirty in the afternoon.
Evelyn carried a small bag brimming with red maple leaves, eager to show her mom.
She also caught two butterflies for her.
The villa was eerily silent.
The servants were likely slacking off, leaving the house empty.
Evelynâs cheerful footsteps resonated through the silent halls as she called, âMom⦠Momâ¦â
The second floor remained silent.
Evelyn assumed Alexis was still lost in thought by the window, as usual.
She planned to quietly enter the master bedroom, sneak up behind Alexis, and embrace her gently.
Evelyn tiptoed inside.