Cyrus extended his trembling hand toward me, attempting to grasp the edge of my garment.
This tremor, a manifestation of psychological distress acquired over the years, surged whenever memories overwhelmed him.
However, I retreated, towering over him disdainfully.
"Cyrus, I am no fool. Empty promises won't sway me any longer," I stated and then turned to exit the room.
He was left alone, collapsing in silence, his body wracked with spasms.
He gasped for air, his pale face tinged with an unnatural red.
Despite nearing asphyxiation, he tried to stop me as I prepared to leave.
"Luna…" he strained to say, managing a weak smile, "Is there really no way to forgive your brother?"
Before I could respond, a figure burst through the door, delivering a punch to Cyrus. It was Ash, having eavesdropped on our conversation.
He pinned Cyrus down, tears uncontrollably streaming from his eyes, his voice trembling with anger: "How can you even ask for forgiveness? Are you satisfied only if she's driven to death? Do you have no conscience at all? How could you treat her this way?"
"I'm sorry," was all Cyrus could weakly utter before fainting.
Ash rolled off him and began to punch himself, venting, "You're all despicable! I trusted you completely, yet I was harsh to her too. I'm nothing but a beast."
Choking on sobs, he covered his eyes, "Luna, I was wrong. I should never have doubted you. How much you must have endured over the years. I regret my actions. It was never my intention to hurt you."
His cries were so loud that medical staff eventually arrived, and Cyrus was taken to emergency care.
Ash, however, stubbornly remained, refusing to leave my side.
"Luna, please come with me. You will die if you stay with Darius. Please, consider it my plea." His face bore a pleading expression.
I disregarded his plea. When the bodyguards from the Vale family arrived to escort me, I departed without a second glance.
"Why? Weren't you always the one who cared most for me?" he shouted after me, his voice shaking, " Why can you only see Darius after we reunited? Weren't we the closest?"
"The closest?" I pondered his words, my face breaking into a scornful smile.
"When you labeled me as heartless and greedy, you hardly remembered our closeness."
"Ash, you're no better than Darius. Both of you disgust me."
I left his distraught figure behind. This time, without turning back.
