S2 Chapter 48: One Last

The Ace and the Four Kings

Xyrine jean's POV

After 1 week

"We've been through so much together, Xyrine. Our relationship has been a roller coaster, but here we are, still fighting, and at last, we've overcome it all." He smiled, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"I've done this before, but I'll do it again. I'm sorry if this seems too soon, but what can I do? I don't want to be apart from you anymore. I don't want to go another day without seeing you, or wake up in the morning without you being the first thing I see." His voice carried both determination and longing.

"Do you know why I chose to propose here, at school? Because this place holds so many memories for us. This is where I first saw you, where I first held you, where I first fell for you—and where you became mine." He smiled, and I lowered my head, my vision blurring with tears.

I froze as he suddenly dropped to one knee, pulling a small box from his pocket. The entire pavilion erupted into cheers, as if this was the most beautiful moment that had ever happened in Montreal.

"Xyrine, this is it. I want us to become one, so if you'll have me..." He took a deep breath and looked up at me, his eyes filled with sincerity.

"Xyrine Jean Montreal, will you marry me?"

Tears streamed down my face as I watched the only man I had ever loved—proposing to the wrong woman.

"Yes, Spade. I will marry you."

Spade stood up and pulled Monique into a tight embrace before sealing the moment with a deep kiss.

I turned away immediately, wiping the endless tears cascading down my cheeks. I kept walking, each step heavier than the last, until I felt a firm hand grip my arm.

When I saw who it was, I broke down, wrapping my arms around him.

"Louren..." I gave him a bitter smile.

I felt his fist clench against my back as he held me. "Let's get out of here."

He took my hand tightly in his, and together, we walked away from the pavilion.

"I never thought I'd come back to this maze just to cry again," I said with a bittersweet smile, gazing into the distance.

"Let him go."

I shut my eyes tightly at Louren's words.

"Don't you see? While you're still holding on to him, he's already let go of you a long time ago."

I let out a bitter smile, lowering my gaze. "Louren, do you really think I don't know that?" My voice wavered. "Before, I refused to let go because I loved him. I loved him so much. He was my life, my entire world. But after my baby and I survived—just a week ago—everything changed. I realized I had to fight, not just for myself anymore, but for both of us."

"When the doctor said my baby miraculously survived because he clung to life so desperately, it made me realize..." I looked at Louren with newfound determination. "Shouldn't I fight even harder?"

"A fight that Spade gave up on a long time ago—a fight only you still believe in," he said seriously, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"He just doesn't remember, Louren. I'm sure that if he sees something—anything—that connects him to our past, it could trigger his memories and bring them back," I said, clinging to hope.

"You're wrong."

I immediately turned to him. "What do you mean?"

"Butler Ma told me that Spade went to the mansion before the accident. That means he must have seen everything that could have connected him to you. If he ignored all of that, then that only means one thing—he's not ready to listen to his heart. He chose to believe only in the memories he has now."

I hugged my knees to my chest, my voice barely a whisper. "So, all I can do is wait for his memories to return?"

"That is, if they ever do."

A deep fear settled in my chest. "What if they don't?"

Louren let out a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry, but I think it's time… for you to let go."

His words shattered me. "What if I can't? How do I do it? How do I give him up? What about our child, Louren?" My voice trembled with desperation.

To my surprise, he suddenly stepped in front of me, looking straight into my eyes. "Then choose me."

I was stunned. "What?"

Before I could fully process his words, Louren knelt before me and firmly took my hands in his. "Marry me, Xyrine. Use me, make me a rebound—I don't care."

I could only stare at him, completely speechless.

"Every time I see you crying over him, I feel like I'm being suffocated. Every time I see you hurting, I hurt even more. Yes, it's painful to love someone who will never love you back, but like you, I don't care. Whether you love me or not doesn't matter. What matters to me is that I don't want to see you in pain anymore. So please..."

"Let go of Spade and marry me." His voice was steady, full of conviction.

I stared deep into his eyes before slowly standing up and wrapping my arms tightly around him. "Louren, I'm such a fool. Why didn't I love you instead of Spade?" I whispered, my tears still falling.

Use him?

I couldn't. I hugged him even tighter and took a deep breath.

"I know you've already done so much for me, but—"

Before I could finish, he pulled away and took a step back.

"Think about it first before you answer," he said. "But I'll tell you now—I won't accept a 'no.' And…" He looked away for a moment, as if bracing himself. "I'll only wait until tomorrow. After that, I'm leaving for America."

My lips parted in shock. This was the first time I had ever seen him like this.

"But if you say yes…" His voice softened. "I promise you, I'll stay. And I will take responsibility for you and your child."

With that, he turned around and walked away.

A wave of fear washed over me.

What if Spade never regains his memories?What if Louren really leaves?Can I let go of Spade and marry Louren?

It was already evening when I woke up. Just as I was about to stand, I saw a woman standing in front of me.

"Monique?" I asked, just to be sure.

The moment I realized it was really her, a surge of anger flooded my veins, and I clenched my fists tightly.

"You've got some nerve showing your face to me, Monique!" I shouted before slapping her across the face.

"If that's not enough, you can hit me ag—"

I didn't let her finish. I slapped her again, harder this time.

"I gave you everything! My father's wealth, my father's name, even the man I loved with all my heart—I handed him over to you! But why?! We had a deal! You were only supposed to pretend to be me until he regained his memories! So why the hell did you go all the way and claim my identity for real?!" I screamed, drowning in my own tears.

Monique remained still before suddenly falling to her knees in front of me.

How ironic. How many people would kneel before me today?

"You think kneeling will fix this?" My voice was cold, unyielding.

"I won't blame you for hating me, Xyrine. I won't even get mad no matter how many times you slap me or make me kneel. But, Xyrine…"

She paused, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face.

"Please… let go of Spade. Let us be."

Her words made my blood boil. I wanted to break her neck right then and there. "Are you insane?! Why would I give him up to you?!" My voice shook with rage.

"Because… we're getting married. And…"

A sickening dread filled my stomach as she clutched her belly.

"Don't tell me…"

"Yes, Xyrine. I'm pregnant."

Everything around me faded into darkness. It felt as if my entire world had crumbled in an instant.

Slowly, I turned away from her and walked away in a daze.

This isn't real.

I must be dreaming.

But no.

I heard her clearly.

She's pregnant.

"Now, may we call on our special guest who will be singing the theme song of the newly engaged couple, Mr. Spade Inigo Sy and Ms. Xyrine Jean Montreal? Let's give a warm round of applause to Ms. Monique Hernandez!"

As soon as I heard those words, I steadied myself, fighting back the tears threatening to spill from my eyes.

Yes, I was the one who would be singing their song. I had asked the organizer if I could be the one to perform at their engagement party tonight.

With every step I took toward the stage, my legs felt heavier, and my breaths grew shallower. The moment I saw the two of them gazing at each other with so much joy, I felt an overwhelming urge to cry.

How foolish of me, right?

It's as if I willingly wounded myself, poured salt into the wound, and then pressed down on it with all my strength. But what else could I do? I had no other choice. This was the only way to find clarity. And maybe… this would also be the last time I'd ever see him.

I took the guitar and reached for the microphone, even as my hands trembled with doubt. Taking a deep breath, I gripped the guitar tightly.

[Oh, how wonderful it is beneath the vast skyWhen I'm with you, staring into the emptinessThe moon and stars bear witness to our love—Just the two of us, just the two of us]

Do you remember this song?

It's the one I sang to you that night—the night I thought would never end. The night I felt like I held the entire universe in my hands because I was with you.

[I can still see you, my loveEven from afar, you shine like a starWhenever I'm with you,The path ahead glows with the light in your eyes]

That night, I asked you which star was the brightest. You told me that no matter how long I stared at the sky, I would never find it. Because…

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I held them back.

I lowered my gaze, trying to steady myself.

[When you're beside me, my heart is at easeThe night turns sweeter whenever I hold your hand]

That same night, you asked me if I trusted you. And like a fool, I said yes.

Because I loved you.

So much.

[Oh, how wonderful it is beneath the vast skyWhen I'm with you, staring into the emptinessThe moon and stars bear witness to our love—Just the two of us, just the two of us]

At that moment, I felt like the happiest woman in the world. I thought, finally, I could say I was complete.

But now, as I glance at you, your fingers tightly intertwined with Monique's, reality crashes down on me.

[The cold breeze touches my skin,But it is nothing compared to the fire burning inside meEven when we are worlds apart,One look at the moon brings me closer to you]

[The heavens are smiling, waiting for the momentThe whole world holds its breath for our kiss]

[Oh, how wonderful it is beneath the vast skyWhen I'm with you, staring into the emptinessThe moon and stars bear witness to our love—Just the two of us, just the two of us]

[Oh, how wonderful it is beneath the vast skyWhen I'm with you, staring into the emptinessThe moon and stars bear witness to our love—Just the two of us, just the two of us]

I know… I'm the reason you lost your memories.

But Spade, this pain is unbearable.

I took a deep breath, bracing myself.

So, please…

[Come with me beneath the vast skyLet's stare into the emptiness togetherLet the moon and stars witness our love—Just the two of us, just the two of us]

Can I finally let go?