The Knight Who Broke Off Our Engagement and Told Me to Never Show My Face Again Still Clings to Me Today, Even Though I Was Possessed and Turned Into a Villainess for Ten Years - 59 - Unknown Past 3
“I thought I was a fool for hoping. Sadie and I live in different worlds. I knew I wasn’t someone allowed to want someone like her.”
Gerald’s hand, holding mine, tightened.
“Even though we were in the same room, Sadie felt so far away. I realized both you and that man were completely different from the fake me.”
“Gerald…”
“Just watching you two smile happily together from afar made it too hard for me to say a word.”
Back then, Rufus and I were very close. Everyone said we were perfect together.
I remembered how much I loved Rufus, how I always followed him wherever he went.
“Then one day, I heard rumors that you suddenly changed. That you didn’t get along with your fiancé anymore.”
That was definitely after Tabatha and I switched bodies.
“I had a little hope, so I gathered my courage and talked to you just once. But that woman only said, ‘I really like your face, let’s be friends,’ and laughed.”
“……”
“I knew right away that it couldn’t be you. I even wondered if someone with the same face had replaced you like me.”
After that, Gerald said he kept looking into me.
“Then, three years later, I had my body stolen and was trapped in that place. I realized it right away. You were the real Sadie Arclight.”
Gerald smiled, almost excited, his eyes glowing with strong emotion.
“For the first time in my life, I thanked God.”
“…What?”
“Because Rufus Langridge wasn’t there, and I could stay by your side forever. I didn’t hate living in that place. Honestly, I wanted to stay like that until I died.”
Now that I thought about it, Gerald only seemed confused on the first day. After that, he never said he wanted his old body back.
“As long as it’s really you inside, I don’t care what form or position you have.”
The moment he said that with a smile, I felt chills run down my back. I realized how deeply obsessed Gerald was with me—and it scared me.
Maybe my fear showed on my face, because Gerald looked sad when he saw me.
“But at first, I planned to keep all of this a secret.”
“…Then why are you telling me now?”
Gerald relaxed his mouth a little and gently stroked the back of my hand with his finger.
“Because Sadie is kind to people who are suffering.”
“…”
“I’m hoping you won’t throw away someone as pitiful as me.”
I didn’t really understand Gerald at all, but I knew then that he truly understood me.
To be honest, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.
Yes, I suffered for ten years in that place—but before that, I had a loving family, friends, and a fiancé. I lived a happy life.
But Gerald spent his whole life in pain and loneliness. The thought made my heart ache and brought tears to my eyes again.
Even so, I could never forgive the betrayal he had committed.
“I love you. The only thing I ever wanted in my life… was you.”
Gerald said this, pulled my hand toward him, and gently pressed it to his forehead, like he was praying to a god.
“I know it’s wrong to do something like this to the person who once saved me.”
“…”
“But I just couldn’t give up on you.”
Still holding my hand tightly, Gerald quietly whispered, “I’m sorry,” and lowered his long, golden lashes.
—Just like Gerald said, I probably am someone who’s kind to people who suffer.
If I had heard this story a few months ago, even if I didn’t feel the same way, I might have wanted to stay by his side.
But now, after what he’s done to us, I knew I could never accept him again.
“I also couldn’t stand watching you fall for Rufus Langridge anymore.”
Hearing Rufus’s name so suddenly made my heart jump.
It seemed Gerald noticed my feelings even before I did. Maybe because he was always watching me so closely, he noticed every little change.
“It’s okay if you never love me. But I can’t let you belong to someone else.”
“…”
“I really am foolish and selfish.”
Even after that, Gerald kept apologizing over and over. Maybe he couldn’t control his emotions anymore.
After a while, he seemed to calm down and raised his head. He had his usual smile, and that helped me feel a little more at ease.
“I must have surprised you, saying all of that out of nowhere. Sorry.”
“…No. Thank you for telling me.”
Of course I was shocked. I truly felt sorry for him. I also felt something close to fear.
But I was glad to finally understand his reason for doing all of this.
It wasn’t that he wanted to hurt everyone. His only goal was me.
“Oh right—while preparing for the wedding, I found a dress I think will look beautiful on you. Sadie, I know pure white suits you best.”
Then, with a cheerful voice, Gerald started talking about the wedding. He mentioned things like the designer for the dress. He said I wouldn’t be meeting the designer or his parents.
I realized that I’d only be allowed out of this mansion on the day of the wedding—just for travel and the ceremony.
Now that our bodies were switched, I couldn’t even use magic. I had to be very careful and find a way to escape when Gerald lets his guard down.
“The rings will be ready soon, too.”
“…Okay. Thank you.”
“The wedding is in one month. I hope you’re looking forward to it.”
Just talking like this, Gerald seemed like the kind person I used to know.
It hurt so much. I felt like crying.
Why did things have to turn out this way?