Chapter 822:

In that moment, he understood with painful clarity that he had never truly deserved Elyse's unreserved love.

As Theo walked, a snowflake landed on his left eye. The sudden cold sent shivers through him. Reaching up to brush it off, he noticed his fingers were moist.

He gazed at his fingers, tears forming in his eyes, and whispered, “I was so harsh with you. Why did you stay with me for three years?”

Elyse glanced upward as the snow fell heavier and slowly said, “Because I liked you. I chose to stay with you, no matter what.”

Back then, Elyse felt small and desperate for affection, crushed by Lanny and Glenda's cold treatment. She couldn't recognize her own value, wandering through each day in a haze. But Theo arrived like a ray of sunshine, brightening her dark world and breathing new life into her desolate days.

Elyse watched the snowflakes dance and smiled. “Honestly, I’m so grateful. You entered my life when I needed rescuing and brightened my darkest days.”

“Is that so? I was your knight in shining armor, wasn’t I?” Theo said, his heart twinging with pain.

He knew about Elyse’s past struggles, and it led him to wonder if she saw him as an escape.

This idea made him want to slap himself. Even if Elyse had leaned on him to deal with her dreadful family, why couldn’t he just be okay with it?

Watching Jayden effortlessly handle Elyse’s family and shield her from further pain, he couldn’t help but think Elyse must be falling for Jayden.

Theo thought he could have ended all her troubles. But why did he let the opinions of others bother him so much? Didn’t he understand her better than anyone else?

Each time these thoughts crossed his mind, Theo felt a deep pang in his heart.

Elyse gave a soft nod. “Thanks for being my boyfriend. You really did look out for me for those three years.”

Theo felt a sting in his nose and shook his head. “No, I was a terrible boyfriend. I should have done more. I didn’t treat you right.”

Elyse laughed lightly. “You did well enough. After we broke up, I was upset and resented you. But looking back, life was actually pretty good while we were together.”

Theo clenched his teeth, holding back tears, his voice shaking. “I could have been better.”

Elyse stopped and turned to face him. “Don’t focus so much on what went wrong. Remember the good times instead.”

Theo’s smile was tinged with sadness. He couldn’t recall any truly good moments with Elyse. The qualities she valued in him were ones she mistakenly believed were good. In truth, they were mere excuses for his actions, and he had made many mistakes behind her back, too shameful to admit.

. . . noveldrama