It’s Not Night - Chapter 184.2

Sitting upright, Andra crossed her arms and nodded at Dustin.

“Dustin, look at me for a moment.”

“…….”

At her firm tone, Dustin, who had been browsing a magazine in the room, shifted slightly. He hesitated for a moment before eventually approaching Andra.

Andra intertwined her fingers with his large hands and made him meether gaze.

“First, I’m sorry.”

Andra began with an apology. It was true that she had initially tried to hide this from him. Moreover, given how embarrassing the situation was, her actions must have been obvious to him.

If only she had given him even a hint about that man back then, Dustin’s mood wouldn’t have sunk this low.

“…What for?”

“For not being able to speak up right away. I needed some time too. I was torn between being completely honest with you or pretending it didn’t matter.”

Dustin had acted as if he didn’t know anything, even though he did. Andra could easily sense that he didn’t want to burden her.

“Andra, I don’t know what you’re…”

“Don’t pretend you don’t. Stop trying to act like you’re unaware. It’s all so obvious.”

At Andra’s accusation, Dustin quickly fell silent.

Haa, Andra sighed without realizing it and studied Dustin’s face, which had been hidden in shadow. His eyes seemed heavy, showing how much he had been thinking and struggling internally.

‘Once the defenses are breached, everything becomes clear.’

From her time with Dustin, Andra had learned that his emotional framework was almost as stark as black and white.

He was loyal to his feelings, regardless of whether they were excessive or not. This only reinforced how bulldozer-like he could be.

Andra tightened her grip on their interlocked hands. Then, without hesitation, she began to open up. It was something she felt comfortable doing because she fully trusted and believed in Dustin.

“About that man I saw earlier… yes, he was someone I dated in my past life. He’s also the one who helped me by the lake on my coming-of-age day.”

Dustin’s eyes widened in surprise. The latter part was likely unexpected for him, causing his breathing to slow down.

“On that day, it rained heavily, and the lake filled up quickly. I stubbornly stayed there trying to find my necklace. If he hadn’t forcibly pulled me out, something serious might have happened. I had already fallen once and was in danger.”

“I… I…”

“It’s okay. That’s all in the past now, and it hasn’t happened again. Anyway, because of that encounter, I ended up meeting him. In a way, it was a bit of a reckless adventure, but it was a pretty normal relationship.”

Though there was a social class difference, which meant it didn’t last long, Andra swallowed the rest of her words and unconsciously wet her dry mouth with a gulp.

“Regardless, we met because of that situation… I never imagined I would run into him here, and I hesitated to tell you about it. It wasn’t like I was hiding it for some other reason.”

Even though their relationship was predetermined to end, that man had always shown genuine affection towards Andra. As a result, despite being a very short period of less than six months, she was able to keep only good memories.

However, she had never once thought she loved that man. It had been a reckless act made in a fit of anger. He might have ended things without any regrets because he understood that as well.

“I only want you, Dustin. So there’s no way something like that could happen. Why would I want to be with anyone else when there’s such a wonderful man right in front of me?”

As Andra smiled faintly and spoke to Dustin, his eyes began to glisten with tears. His large frame trembled like an aspen tree.

“I’m sorry. Andra, I’m really sorry…”

“Don’t say that. I said it was all in the past.”

With an air of familiarity, Andra comforted Dustin.

“No, I truly am sorry. I shouldn’t have done that to you. I was wrong. I’ll spend my life atoning for it. I…”

“Stop. So, what you’re saying is that you’ll always be by my side?”

At Andra’s firm tone, Dustin finally looked directly into her eyes.

The moonlight reflected off Andra’s golden hair, making it shimmer brightly, reminiscent of that God who once cherished this world and loved humanity.

Ah, my god.

How could I not love you?

“…..If you would only allow it.”