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Richard softly touched Wanda's shoulder, mimicking how she had once consoled him.

"Our past isn't a wound ... it's evidence of time passing," he murmured. "I adore you for who you are. As long as it's you, everything is just right."

Wanda's chest tightened and words failed her. Unable to speak, she covered her face and began to weep quietly.

"Richard, I'm unworthy of your affection. I'm a dreadful person," she managed between sobs. "To get revenge on Eric, I even pretended to be dead."

Her tears flowed more rapidly and uncontrollably.

She wasn't the faultless, kind individual Richard remembered. She was simply a regular human being.

Richard reached out and tenderly wiped away her tears with his thumb. He said, "No, you deserve my love. You go out of your way to care for stray cats and give money to those in need."

Then he added earnestly, "To me, you haven't changed at all. You're still that brave, warm-hearted girl I remember."