- 14.
dup in our tiny apartment for a week, without food or water.
Tristan stayed at Gull Cove, holed up
Finally, he left.
But as soon as he returned to the city, he saw two familiar figures.
Rachel Whitmore, arm–in–arm with Cole Hawthorne, smiling sweetly.
once
upon a time, Rachel had clung to his arm that way too.
a frenzy, Tristan rushed over and grabbed Rachel, demanding to know why she had cheated on him.
In a f
only gave him a cold, mocking smile.
But Rachel only!
Tristan, did you really think I loved you?”
“If I loved you, why would I have left the country? Why would I have dated someone else abroad?”
Tristan froze.
Rachel continued:
“Because I never loved you.”
Tristan was speechless.
“I only came back because you had money!” Rachel laughed like it was the funniest thing she had ever heard.
“You’re rich now! You’re not that broke nobody anymore!
“I didn’t love you–I loved your money! Do you understand that?
Tears filled Tristan’s eyes.
So, it turned out, the only one who had over loved him was the foolish, naive Lana Brooks.
Rachel had only cared about the wealth Lana had helped him build.
Rachel clung to Cole’s arm, her voice full of pride:
“Now, I have Cole, and he’s far richer than you! Why would I ever choose you again?”
Cole stood silently, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold with a calm, stern expression.
Finally, he spoke, addressing Tristan directly
“Isn’t it ironic? You gave up the one who truly loved you for something that could be bought with money
Rachel didn’t flinch, her face didn’t even change. It was as if Cole’s words didn’t apply to her at all.
Tristan snopped
His mind clouded with rage, his eyes red, he pulled a knife from his jacket and plunged it into Rachel’s chest.
“It’s all your fault! You ruined everything! If it weren’t for you, Lana wouldn’t be dead! Go to hell! Join her!”
Blood mixed with the falling snow, painting a gruesame scene.
My soul hovered above, watching it all unfold.
The system’s voice broke through the silence:
“Rachel’s dead now. How does that feel?”
“Boring,” I replied.
Because Tristan was still the same. He still blamed everyone but himself. v
