2nd. Season -
At dusk, heavy rain poured down on the streets. Carlyle wandered through the pouring rain like a lost soul, her entire body drenched.
Since that passionate night, Lane had vanished from her life. She continued to go to work as usual, but now she found herself thinking about him even more.
Today, she overheard a conversation between Xavier and Alison. Two days ago, Lane had returned to Rome with Lila to get married. In that moment, she truly understood what heartbreak felt like. It hurt so much.
Tears streamed down her face, blending with the rain.
She had always known their relationship was purely physical.
She had always known he had a girlfriend and was about to get married.
So why had she been so foolish?
That night, when she couldn't resist inviting him into her bed, was it merely to satiate the emptiness within her own heart?
Why did it still hurt so much? Was she stupid? Knowing there was no future, she had still fallen in love with him.
Carlyle walked aimlessly in the rain, singing softly.
Suddenly, a blinding flash of white light surged towards her. Before Carlyle could even register the shock or dodge, a pair of hands whisked her away to safety.
As Carlyle was pulled onto the sidewalk, she looked up instinctively at the person who had just saved her life.
When she saw the man in front of her, she snapped out of her daze but her face filled with terror. "Declan, what do you want? Stay away from me!"
Declan looked at her, clearly annoyed as he said, "Carlyle, I guess I didn't get any brownie points for saving your butt just now. If I hadn't jumped in, you'd be roadkill by now."
Carlyle backed away slowly, her voice trembling with cold. "If I had known it was you, I would have preferred to be run over."
Declan stepped closer, his eyes locked on hers, seizing the opportunity to question her. "Carlyle, do you really hate me so much that you'd rather die than be saved by me?"
"Declan, I hate you! I will never forget how you treated me back then. I will never forgive you!"
Declan suddenly laughed maniacally in the rain.
Carlyle glared at him, shouting, "Declan, what are you laughing at?"
Declan stopped laughing, his tone dripping with disdain. "Carlyle, you know I was the one who really cared about you. Lane? He never loved you. He just used you. Can't you see that?"
The name Lane pierced Carlyle's heart. She wouldn't let anyone criticize the man she loved. "You're lying. I know he loves me. He loves me!" She recalled the night they made love, his tender and passionate gaze.
But Declan's smile grew more triumphant as he added fuel to the fire. "Carlyle, you need to wake up. That man doesn't love you. I saw him board a plane with another woman. I looked into his background. His name is Lane. He's the heir to a major company in Rome. He has a fiancée who's a rich heiress. Do you think someone like you could ever catch his eye? You were just his plaything in America!" He moved closer, trying to touch her face. "Carlyle, let's get back together. I promise I won't hit you again. I love you more than Lane does!"
Carlyle slapped his hand away immediately, her voice trembling. "No, I believe he loves me!" But she knew Declan was right. Lane was going back to Rome to get married. Their relationship had been purely physical. He didn't really love her. Yet, tears still fell from her eyes, her heart aching, unwilling to accept the truth.
"No—he loves me—" Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit her. As she collapsed, Declan caught her in his arms, gazing at her tear-streaked face. "Carlyle, you belong to me."
Declan carried Carlyle's body and disappeared quickly into the heavy rain.
