Chapter 652:

Hearing Elyse’s words, Shaun covered his face, freezing. Elyse observed him intently and pressed, “What really happened between you and Tracy? Why did she end up dead in the sea in Liverton? Did you look into it?”

Slowly, Shaun raised his head, his usually shrewd and detached eyes now brimming with vulnerability. Despite his attempts to drown his memories in alcohol, the mere mention of Tracy’s name rendered them useless.

With bloodshot eyes, he began, “About two weeks ago, she suddenly came to me, insisting we have a serious conversation. We spent hours discussing our past, our fears, our vulnerabilities, and the things and people that mattered most to us. That day, it felt like our hearts were more aligned than ever before. I sensed she had changed her mind about me. I asked her if we could give it another shot, promising I’d do better. She agreed, and we arranged to meet the next day.”

Shaun’s expression turned to one of guilt and confusion, like a child caught in a misdeed. “But when I showed up at her place the following day, she wasn’t there. Thinking she might have fled again, I had her searched for. By evening, I was informed that she had been found in the sea.”

Elyse tilted her head, perplexed, and asked, “Why would Tracy go to Liverton? Any idea?”

Shaun shook his head vigorously, his gaze lowered.

Elyse glanced at Jayden, uncertainty written across her face. After a brief pause, Jayden intervened. “Who exactly informed you that Tracy had fallen into the sea? Your people were searching in Watsar, right?”

Shaun responded, “Lowell was the one who told me. He said he found Tracy’s ID card and a pair of shoes by the shore.”

Upon hearing this, Elyse instantly refuted, “That’s not possible. Tracy would never kill herself by jumping into the sea. She was always so full of life and even considered giving you a second chance. How could she possibly jump into the sea?”

Shaun let out a hollow laugh. “Maybe she was trying to escape me by faking her death. Doesn’t that make more sense?”

Elyse shook her head. “That’s not possible. Tracy still had feelings for you. She had truly moved on; if she no longer loved you, she wouldn’t have mourned your mistreatment. Her love for you was too deep, and that’s why—”

Shaun looked up, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Is that true? Does she still care for me?”

“If Tracy had really stopped caring about you,” Elyse said, “why would she cry over you? Her tears and pain were because she still loved you and couldn’t let go, which only made her suffer more.”

Elyse sighed deeply. Because Tracy truly cared for and loved Shaun, she had endured so much. “You don’t understand love, Shaun. How could you recognize true love when it’s right in front of you?”

Shaun was taken aback, sitting with his eyes brimming with loneliness and confusion. It seemed that in his previous life, he had never grasped the concept of love or its meaning. For him, love remained an ephemeral, elusive concept—something he could never hold. It could slip through his fingers like sand. Could love truly hold any value? Surely, nothing could be more precious than money?

But in that moment, Shaun would have given all his wealth just to have Tracy return. He hoped Tracy could help him understand what it means to love and be loved.

He covered his mouth, fighting hard to control himself, desperately trying not to emit any sounds of sorrow. Despite his torment and restraint, Elyse felt a deep wave of empathy. Jayden, too, noticed Shaun’s breakdown and gestured to Elyse. Together, they silently walked towards the door. As they departed, Elyse cast a gentle look back at Shaun, who remained in the room. She murmured, “Tracy once told me, ‘When you feel like crying, cry. When laughter bubbles up, let it flow.’ That’s how you should love yourself. We’ll be leaving now. Hope you find a way to truly love yourself in your solitude.”

The moment the door clicked shut, silence enveloped the room. Elyse could no longer hear Shaun’s suppressed sobs.

Descending towards the first floor, Elyse spoke with conviction. “Tracy would never choose to end her life by jumping into the sea.”