Chapter 2

The cacophony of honking cars startled me out of my reverie. I felt my stomach clench with fear, leaving me speechless.

Yzail's voice grew anxious on the other end of the line.

"Lanaya, something seems off. Have you been in a collision?" His concern was evident, but I knew it stemmed from his inherent desire to assist others, not from love for me.

"I've been in a car crash," I murmured.

"Don't worry. Where are you? I'm on my way!" he declared, his voice filled with apprehension.

By the time he showed up in the passenger seat alongside Zolenn, the police had already sorted everything out. Yzail's relief was palpable upon seeing I was unharmed, but I couldn't help noticing her presence beside him.

With forced composure, I inquired, "Since when have you two become so close?"

He was well aware of what Zolenn had done to me, yet there she was, accompanying him. Had he already decided to make me a mere bridesmaid, no longer needing to conceal their affair?

Yzail appeared somewhat ashamed, scratching his nose as he responded,

"Lanaya, I went to collect our pre-marriage health check results and bumped into Zolenn. When she heard about your accident, she insisted on coming to see how you were."

I regarded them coolly, barely containing my emotions. Then, I asked, "Is she here to confirm whether I'm dead?"

Yzail's expression darkened. "Lanaya! Mind your language! Apologize to Zolenn!"

Zolenn, her eyes brimming with insincere tears, reached out tentatively for my hand.

"Lanaya, I've been remorseful about my actions for the past two years. I know I shattered your piano-playing dreams. It was my fault. Can you forgive me?"

After her words, Yzail nudged me, indicating I should respond.

I turned to him, my voice quiet but icy, "Do you believe I should forgive her?"

The memory of my severed tendons, the anguish of never being able to play piano again, the loss of my aspirations—it all rushed through my mind. But I wasn't weak enough to ask him why he had fallen for her. That would make me appear pitiful.

A flicker of guilt crossed Yzail's face. "Zolenn acted impulsively back then. She's already faced legal consequences and has been regretful for years. She's apologizing now. Why dwell on the past?"

An impulsive act? Was ruining my future just a momentary lapse in judgment to him? The persistent pain I endured during rainy weather was something I was supposed to simply let go of.

Not forgiving her made me seem petty in his eyes.

Back then, Yzail had been there with me in the ER, holding my hand, sharing my hatred for Zolenn. Now, he wanted me to forgive her.

When he reached for my hand to encourage reconciliation, I swatted it away and said bitterly,

"Yzail, you didn't have your tendons cut. What right do you have to ask me to forgive someone who nearly killed me?"

If Yzail hadn't blocked the knife that day, I wouldn't be alive.

Just because he took the blow for me, did that mean I had to forgive her? I wasn't as generous as he wanted me to be.

His expression hardened, and his tone became commanding.

"Lanaya, I'm doing this for your benefit. You've always been introverted. Zolenn was your only close friend for years. Why not put the past behind you and rekindle that friendship? You need to move on with your life, don't you?"

His words were stern, almost overbearing, but the warmth and affection I once knew were absent. The pain in my stomach and heart made breathing difficult, but I noticed the hidden satisfaction in Zolenn's teary eyes. The same satisfaction she had displayed during her frenzied attack that day.

"Lanaya, even if you can't forgive me, I'll keep atoning. I hope we can be friends again someday," Zolenn said, her voice quivering with fake remorse.

"Go away!" I snapped.