Chapter 76: Let’s Get a Divorce

Marcellus knelt on the floor, his chest heaving violently as though trapped in an invisible cage. He couldn't refute Elias's accusations or face Livia's icy stare. The revelation that both Elias and Livia had read his diary shocked him, though part of him had expected it—Livia's recent behavior had been far too unusual. Still, when he heard her cold and detached words, "Let's get a divorce," it felt like a lightning strike. His body jolted, and his gaze became unfocused.

Alia took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice, but the tremor in her tone betrayed the pain buried deep within her heart.

"Marcellus, I've been through so much over the years. Reading those diaries, seeing the truth… it made me realize our marriage was a mistake. I don't want to be caught in this endless spiral anymore. Leaving is the best thing for both of us."

Her eyes held a mixture of cold determination and sorrow, as though she was suppressing an inner struggle. No matter who she truly was, one thing was clear: the truth behind their past could no longer bind her to Marcellus. She turned toward Elias, seeking support or perhaps closure, her resolve solidifying into a final farewell.

Yet as soon as she took a step away, a voice within her heart screamed in protest: "Can you truly let go? Can you really walk away?" Logic told her leaving was the right choice, but each step forward felt like walking on the edge of a blade, the pain nearly unbearable.

She cast one last glance at Marcellus, as if engraving his image into her memory, then turned and prepared to leave.

Suddenly, Marcellus staggered to his feet, his voice trembling with unprecedented desperation and plea:

"Livia, don't go! Please, just listen to me!"

He quickly stepped in front of her, his hands trembling as they reached out, only to falter mid-air. He clenched them tightly at his sides, unsure if he even had the right to touch her anymore.

"My love, I've known for a while that you and Elias have been in contact," he admitted, his voice low and filled with despair. "But I never blamed you. I know all of this stems from me—from my actions, my mistakes. I'm the one who hurt you. I'm the one who made everything fall apart. I don't blame you… not even Elias."

He drew a shaky breath, his emotions spilling over like an unstoppable tide.

"I won't defend myself—because the harm I've caused is undeniable. Those diaries you read, filled with anger and bitterness—they don't reflect my true feelings for you."

Marcellus bowed his head, his voice weighed down by guilt.

"I know I've been cold and cruel to you, but it wasn't because I didn't love you. It was because… I was afraid. Afraid of facing you, of facing myself, of facing the irreparable truths between us."

"When you lost your memories, I thought it was a chance to start over," he continued, his voice tinged with a bittersweet sadness. "You forgot everything, and for a time, we regained our closeness. Those days were the happiest of my life. But now… now that you've remembered, I know we can never return to that."

Marcellus raised his head, his gaze filled with desperate resolve.

"Livia, I wish I could tell you everything now, but I can't. If I do, everything could fall apart completely. This isn't just about us—it's tied to deeper secrets and heavier consequences. All I can ask is for more time."

His eyes burned with determination as he continued, his voice firm and unwavering:

"You can hate me. You can blame me. But please believe this: my love for you is real. It has never been a lie, never been a facade. I'll prove it to you—I'll prove that I'm willing to do anything for you. But for now, I beg you, give me a little more time."

"And as for the divorce," he said, his tone hardening, "I refuse to agree. You can do anything else, but not this. I won't let you go. Not yet. Once everything is over, if you still want to leave, I'll let you go."

Alia stood frozen, her hands balled into fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. She wanted to say something, anything, but her throat felt constricted, as though an invisible force was choking the words out of her. Marcellus's words left a deep impression on her heart, igniting a storm of anger, confusion, and an unshakable sense of hesitation.

"Do you think this will change anything?" she murmured, her voice trembling as conflicting emotions flickered in her eyes. "Marcellus, maybe… maybe it's already too late."

Without waiting for a response, she turned away, her steps unsteady but resolute. Behind her, Marcellus stood engulfed in anguish, while Elias's gaze remained inscrutable, a mix of pity and judgment clouding his features.

The room fell into an oppressive silence, the kind that suffocated every breath and amplified the tension. Beneath the stillness, however, loomed an even greater storm, one that threatened to shatter everything they had ever known.