A Second Chance at Forever

Chapter 1386

Beneath Bernard’s furrowed brows lay a pair of striking eyes, akin to peach blossoms in full bloom-subtle yet profound, like a star-studded night sky, complex and unreadable.

Eleanor found herself transfixed by those eyes, searching for something within them, only to realize that the stars were too distant, too elusive.

A wave of suffocation coursed through her heart, in a painfully disconcerting manner. It was as if after her heart transplant, it had become intolerant to distress. Consequently, a duli pain took inception whenever sorrow was in the offing.

But having weathered life’s tempestuous seas, she seemed more rational than before.

Like now, she managed to suppress the pain, remaining composed as she gazed at Bernard.

“Why can you come and go freely from Area Opaca, yet choose not to return home? Why haven’t you contacted me?”

Her voice was devoid of accusation, merely calm, seeking an answer.

Bernard, who had been looking down, finally lifted his eyes after a few seconds of silence.

“I don’t want to go back home, and… I don’t want to contact you.”

words, strung together, could be so cruel. She stared at

on Bernard’s lips, his eyes curving with the gesture.

the sadness in

word felt like a hammer to her chest, painfully poignant. Eleanor bore the pain, peering into the eyes

to hurt me three times. Once when our agreement ended, once

say it’s because of her you won’t come home or contact me, I don’t believe it. If you could fall for Sophie, you would’ve done so long ago, without a thought

out to grasp Bernard’s hand, clenched at

touched it, she felt its icy chill, colder than her own.

he would have grasped her hand in return, fingers

tremor, then nothing more-a coldness

sadness, lifted her other hand, enveloping his with all the strength she could muster, “Bernard, my mother, my sister, and the hardships we faced in my childhood-all thanks to Sophie and her father. After I left Area Opaca last time, Sophie’s father pushed me into the sea. They’ve been cruel, devoid of any familial warmth; I despise them. So, please… don’t use Sophie to hurt me again. It feels like you’re conspiring with them to hurt me, and it hurts deeply.”

such pain, Eleanor had lashed out at Bernard, even considering, regardless of his reasons,

thoughts of Bernard. She loved him, and

merely used her name to hurt Eleanor. Otherwise, she might have lost all reason and stormed

turned his hand over, clasping Eleanor’s, covering her smaller