It’s Not Night - Chapter 188.2

“Andra, don’t disappoint me any further. You’ve let me down multiple times today.”

“…”

“Please come back as the Andra Avelin I know. I’m begging you.”

After that, Ian turned away without looking back and walked away from them.

Once Ian was gone, the rain began to fall in the early afternoon. Andra curled up, hugging her knees and burying her face in her arms. She had no idea what to do moving forward.

Ian’s sudden appearance had taken her by surprise. She was unprepared, and the emotional effect was significant.

‘I don’t completely misunderstand Ian. If the situation were reversed, I might have acted the same way.’

Andra knew that Ian’s actions were for her sake. He had come down to the South in her father’s place, and the week he had given her was all meant for his younger sister. Yet, it was impossible for her not to feel hurt by him.

‘Did it really have to be that way? Hitting someone and unjustly criticizing them is too much…’

Ian’s words toward Dustin were excessive and hurtful. Andra understood better than anyone how deeply those words could cut, especially since she and Dustin had once done similar things to each other. That’s why she couldn’t help but slap Ian.

Of course, she now felt guilty about it. After all, hitting Ian wasn’t right either.

‘Ugh, what do I do now?’

Andra buried her face deeper between her legs, feeling increasingly depressed. She was in a bind. Logically, she should stay and endure for Dustin, but she also knew that enduring in this way wouldn’t last long. As Ian had said, the next person to come looking for her would be her father, Albert.

“If Father comes…”

Dustin might not just receive a punch. He could end up being shot on the spot. While Albert was a kind and indulgent father to Andra, he showed no mercy in other matters.

Andra’s brothers were even afraid of Albert. She had witnessed firsthand how her brothers would fall apart whenever they incurred their father’s wrath.

With a dark future ahead of her, Andra let out a deep sigh. Once again, no good solutions came to mind.

“…Andra, I’m coming in.”

There was a knock, and Dustin entered the room. Andra looked at him as he brought in a warm cup of tea. His swollen lip from being hit by Ian was now clearly visible.

“Drink some tea. Your body is cold.”

“…Thank you.”

Dustin sat down next to Andra and handed her the teacup. She cradled it in both hands, staring into the surface of the tea where her face was reflected. The first thing she noticed was her puffy eyes from crying earlier. They stung a little.

“Dustin, you see…. about what Ian said earlier…”

“Don’t worry about it. I told you I’m fine.”

“Still, I’m sorry. I should have been more proactive in stopping Ian. It’s because of me that…”

At that moment, Dustin gently cupped Andra’s cheeks with his large hands, lifting her chin. He slowly brushed his thumb over her swollen eyes and smiled faintly. It looked somewhat bittersweet.

“I’m the one who’s sorry, Andra. It’s all my fault. So you don’t need to apologize. Don’t apologize to me, okay?”

“How can you say that? You were the one who was insulted…”

“You got angry for me. That’s enough for me. I’m actually grateful. Thank you, Andra. You saved me.”

Hearing Dustin speak softly, almost like he was comforting a child, Andra set her teacup down on the table and hugged him tightly. Tears were welling up again.

She buried her face in Dustin’s broad chest. She realized once more that she couldn’t let him go.

‘Maybe I should just cause a scene. Then neither my brothers nor my father could touch Dustin.’

Andra was already considering drastic measures.

It was a bit early, but if she was to marry Dustin, she naturally wanted to have children. Having lost her mother at a young age, Andra grew up in a loving family and had always dreamed of starting a warm home with someone she loved.

If Dustin cooperated, it was possible she could become pregnant before meeting her father. Andra was healthy, and in this life without magic, she had been getting her periods regularly. Dustin’s stamina was strong, so it shouldn’t be difficult.

“Hey, Dustin.”

She lifted her head from his chest and looked up at him.

“Will you kiss me?”