It’s Not Night - Chapter 199.2

It was the same in the South. Every time he disappeared for a while and came back with a new wound, she should have realized that something was wrong, instead of brushing it off.

“I’m really fine, Andra. I don’t do that anymore.”

“You don’t do that anymore? How am I supposed to believe that? When we were in the South, you’d disappear sometimes, and you went off to harm yourself, right? Huh?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Don’t lie. Be honest with me. We promised to be honest with each other. Right? Just tell me, is it true?”

“…It’s true.”

At Dustin’s answer, tears immediately began to fall from Andra’s eyes. This caused Dustin to panic and not know what to do.

“Andra, don’t cry. Please?”

He tried to comfort her, wiping her tears with his thumb.

“I was wrong. I didn’t think things through. Don’t cry, Andra. Please.”

“This is the second time you’ve done this, hiding it and trying to deal with it alone! Do you think an apology fixes everything?!”

“I’m sorry, I won’t do it again. Really, I didn’t want to make you worry…”

“You thought if you hid it from me and showed it to everyone else, it would be okay? How could you… How could you do this?”

The tears wouldn’t stop. She couldn’t hold back her sorrow, thinking of Dustin, who had started hurting himself after waiting alone for so long.

How frustrated must he have been? What was he thinking while waiting for her, who was unaware? As he relived the mistakes of the past, what kind of emotions did he feel when facing her?

Unable to hold back, Andra hit him wildly.

“You idiot, why do you keep making me feel guilty! You said you’d treat me well! You said you wanted me to be happy! You deserve to get hit! You should’ve never been caught doing this! You fool!”

Who would harm themselves like that?! Andra hit Dustin anywhere she could, his back, his arms, not caring where. Then, she collapsed, crying uncontrollably. How could everything he did always be so far beyond what was considered normal?

She hated herself for not remembering him sooner. It wasn’t because of the sleep treatment, and it wasn’t because she was ignoring his voice calling out to her.

She should have remembered earlier, even if it had been difficult. She should have told Dustin that she loved him sooner, that he didn’t need to hurt himself anymore…

Just like the day they met under the old tree, all the regrets came rushing in.

“Andra, I, I was wrong. Okay?”

“You really… are a bad person! If you’re going to be this selfish, then be that way all the way. Why do you keep making me upset? How much more are you going to make me suffer…”

Andra buried her face in her palms. Her face quickly became drenched with tears. After crying freely for a while, she finally lifted her head.

Even now, Dustin was looking at her with worry. He never once turned his gaze on his own. His focus was solely on Andra, and Andra alone.

“I won’t do it again. I promise, I’ll never hide anything from you. So stop crying. I hate seeing you cry because of me. It feels like I’m the one making you unhappy…”

“Who says I’m unhappy! Why do you keep saying that? I’m not unhappy. I’m definitely not unhappy!”

Seeing Dustin still blaming himself, Andra shouted at him in frustration. She managed to stop crying and spoke calmly to him.

“…Don’t ever do it again. Your body isn’t just yours anymore. It’s mine. The Duke gave her approval.”

“…Yes.”

“I don’t want any more scars on what’s mine. If you do it again, I won’t look at your face. Remember that.”

“I understand, I won’t do it again.”

“…”

Andra hugged him tightly. She kept telling him she loved him. She wanted to tell him that she loved him to make him feel secure, to fill the dry well within him with love again. She believed that was her role.

Two different people meeting and gradually becoming alike.

Though it would take a long time, Andra already looked forward to the process. Planting a seed in barren soil, watering it, nurturing it, until it eventually grew into a strong tree…

I love you, Dustin. Perhaps I love you even more than my own life.

How could I not love you?

Sniffling, Andra spoke.

“Marry me soon.”

“…Andra, let me say it first…”

Then Dustin pulled something from his pocket. Andra was surprised when she saw the blue ring box. She rubbed her tear-streaked eyes with the back of her hand and looked down at the box. Soon, it opened, revealing a shining ring inside.

“Andra, will you marry me?”

It was a confession that had taken a long time to come out. Andra smiled brightly in joy.

If it’s you, I’ll gladly…

“Yes.”

And so, a happy day came to an end.