The End

I sat in silence without stepping forward to object to their marriage. I held my peace, they would say. To have as much self-control as possible.

Even if my soul, mind, and heart all screamed out to me in unison to object, I didn't. Why? She looked so happy. So glad. So...peaceful...

My chest hurts so badly as applause sounded when they kissed. My own heart is tightening, it's trying to kill itself.

...

Marie. I love you. Even if you love another. Perhaps there was a universe where Orpheus never went to save Eurydice. But that would mean he never loved her.

I love Marie. I would walk into the underworld to claim your soul back to the living. I would turn around to face you, over and over and over and over and over in every lifetime.

Because maybe our love is never meant to be. Only a fleeting moment. Only half of a lifetime. So, maybe, we live in a universe where Orpheus and Eurydice never married at all.

[9 : The Hospital - The Silence]

Marie?

I heard that Erik was no good for you. I heard he beat you and abused you. I was heartbroken when you stopped calling me. I thought that you had found out and were disgusted.

Yet, the first person that was called to visit your unconscious body was me. This ward should be filled with your voice. But it's only the machine humming.

Sitting down by your bed, your bruised face still looks so beautiful. So what if the glass penetrated half of your face and left you scarred?

I fell in love with your eyes. I fell in love with your voice. I fell in love with your soul. I fell in love with you to the point that I could never answer why I loved you.

I brought rhododendrons to your bed. I placed them in a vase for you when you wake up. You can stare at them and hum the tune you always did.

I am sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't aware of your abuse. I'm sorry I had assumed too quickly. I'm sorry that I...that I forgot about you.

Will you forgive me, Marie? For all I've done — good and bad. Just so you can wake up. If caring for others is your core personality, let it be the reason you awake as well.

The nurse entered midway as I held your unmoving hand, your heart beating normally as I brought it to my lips and kissed your knuckles. Your heart rate didn't rise. But I know mine did.

The nurse apologetically moved aside to check Marie's vitals, and I didn't mind. Once the nurse left, I continued to stare at your face for an hour. I miss your smile, Marie.

Ania and her yearning look.

Marie and her closed eyes.

(Maybe we weren't meant for this universe. Nonetheless, I still love you.)

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