Chapter 10 I thought Damien would finally let go. But I underestimated his obsession. He began trying to win me back in an almost self-destructive way. He stopped wearing those dark suits, replacing his entire wardrobe with nothing but red shirts. He said it was the color I wore when we were imprisoned together all those years ago. He dismissed all the servants from the villa and personally learned to tend the garden. Because I had once said I loved roses. He even bought the house across from my workshop, sitting by the second-floor window every day, gazing at me longingly across the street. But everything he did seemed to me nothing more than a meaningless, belated act of self-punishment. My heart had died completely during those five years of repeated disappointments and that final cold expulsion. That day, I was preparing to close shop when Damien's manager Harold suddenly came looking for me. His face was full of anxiety: "Miss Rivers, please go see Mr. Ashford." "He's locked himself in his studio for three days, not eating or drinking. No one can get him to open the door." I continued wiping my tools expressionlessly. "That's his business. It has nothing to do with me." "Miss Rivers!" Harold nearly cried. "Mr. Ashford has been looking at old photos of you two and news reports about the kidnapping. He says he can't remember how he lost you back then." 'He says he deserves to die." My hand paused. In the end, I still followed Harold to the villa where I had lived for five years. The studio door was locked tight. I had Harold find the spare key and opened it. The room was in chaos, torn sketches scattered across the floor. Damien lay collapsed beside his easel, unconscious, his forehead burning with fever. On the table, a pile of photos was scattered about. There were photos of me in red dresses, imitating Aria's appearance. And others he'd found in the attic-Aria's performance photos. In the very center lay an old newspaper. The largest headline read: "Police Bust Major Trafficking Ring, Two Children Rescued." I took him to the hospital. The doctor said it was acute gastric perforation combined with nervous exhaustion-if we'd arrived any later, it would have been too late. He slept unconsciously for a day and night. When he woke, seeing me was like seeing a hallucination. Luna?" He struggled to sit up, but I pressed him back down, 'Don't move. You're on an IV." te lay still obediently, his eyes fixed on me unblinkingly, afraid I'd disappear the next second. You... you're willing to see me?" said nothing, just handed him the pear I'd peeled. le accepted it like receiving a great honor, taking a careful bite. Luna," le looked at me with reddening eyes, Can we start over?" I'll give you all of Ashford Corporation's shares. I'll give you my life-just please come back." pulled out a tissue and wiped my hands. Damien, I saved you not because I still love you." Only because fifteen years ago, you once risked everything to save me." Now we're truly even." stood to leave. ut he suddenly yanked out his IV needle and rushed off the bed, embracing me tightly from behind. calding tears fell on my neck. Don't go, Luna, please, don't abandon me." le cried like a child, without dignity, humble as dust. I know I was wrong. I'm an asshole, I'm inhuman! Hit me, curse me, anything-just don't leave me." I can't live without you." My body went rigid, letting him hold me. ut my heart remained like stagnant water, unable to ripple anymore. Damien," I said softly, "it's too late."