Aaron rushed to Juliaās flat quickly. But he didnāt see Julia or Edie. So he went back to ask more men to come here.
When he came back, Marina was waiting at the door. Seeing him, she asked immediately,
"Aaron, what happened to Edie? Do you have any news?"
"Why are you here? You should stay in the hospital now. Do you know it is so dangerous outside at this point? You should not walk outside alone."
Seeing Marina, Aaron frowned. He immediately asked his men to protect Marina and her sister, especially Marina.
Aaron never expected he would see Marina again like this. It was hard to describe his feeling at the moment. It was really complicated.
Marina smiled. Those wounds on her face made her look weird. But everyone would say her smile was so peaceful and warm.
"I am fine. Ghost comes back with me. I am a doctor. I can take care of Ghost. I wonāt be hurt while staying with him. Do you hear anything about Edie? I am so worried about her. I know Julia well. After she realized everything, she would get mad. I am really worried about Edie. She might even be killed."
"Donāt worry. No one knows what happened there. But believe me, I can handle it. All you need to do now is to recover here. Iāve already asked a dietitian to help you. You would recover soon. "Aaron said.
Marina smiled and shook her head slightly. She wanted to tell Aaron she was fine. He didnāt have to worry about her.
Marina knew her own physical condition. She has been tortured for a long time. She could no longer recover.
All she wished for was to protect her sister.
"Okay. I want to check my sister now. Tell me when you hear anything about Edie, okay?"
"Okay."
Then, Marina turned around and left. But Aaron suddenly said behind her. Aaron sounded guilty.
"Marina, do you hate me? If I hadnāt kidnapped you that year, Julia would not be able to do anything to you. Maybe. You are still a happy girl now."
"Aaron, this is none of your business. You donāt have to feel guilty. If you didnāt kidnap me, Julia would find another way to catch me and torture me. The result is the same, "Marina said in an indifferent voice. Aaron didnāt feel any hatred from her voice.
But Aaron became a little excited.
"I know. I know there is such a possibility. But the fact is that it is me that caused your tragedy. You were tortured for so many years because of my capriciousness. I threw you into the ocean. Do you have any idea how regretful and guilty I am now? I even wish it is me... that died. Marina, I think you might know I have a crush on you. If you donāt hate me, could you get married to me? Please let me take care of you."
Aaron said in such a soft voice, like a little kid begging for something. He was begging to Marina to allow him to atone for his crime.
Hearing his words, Marina signed and turned towards him.
"You had a crush on me that year. What about now?"
"I....I..." Aaron faltered out several words, staring at Marina dumbly.
"Iāve known your answer. You never fall in love with me. Perhaps....youāve known who you really love. You approach me because of Stuart, right? Actually, you never fell in love with me. Perhaps you did have a crush on me because of Stuart. The one you really care about is Stuart, your elder brother. Have you realized that?"
"I know...but...it is love between brothers. It is not romantic love. I can tell the difference between them."
Aaron rubbed his hair helplessly and said.
Marina smiled slightly. She looked at Aaron gently, as if he was a little kid that just made a little mistake in front of her.
"Those closely involved cannot see clearly. The one you love deeply is Edie, right? I can see that. You look so worried about her right now."
"Perhaps it is also because of my elder brother," Aaron said confusingly.
Love...
Sometimes it was quite interesting.
"You like me, so you want to get me. You love Edie, so you decide to let her go. Donāt you see the difference?"
Marina said in a low voice. Only two of them heard the voice. Hearing Marinaās words, Aaron froze in astonishment.
He might not know what love was until Marina told him this today.
"Aaron, you want to get married to me because you feel guilty. If you really want to help me, please promise me."
"What? I would do my best to help you."
Aaron said immediately.
Marina shook her head slightly and said, "You donāt have to do your best. I want you to remember. I am Marina, but I am not the Marina you knew many years ago. I donāt know Stuart. I only know my sister. I would not bother anyone else now."
"You mean...you donāt want to interfere with their life?"
Hearing this, Aaron frowned slightly. He suddenly realized Stuart would not leave Marina alone if he knew she was still alive. But that would hurt Edieās feeling.
But, if Stuart didnāt do anything to help Marina, he would feel so guilty. He was a man. He would definitely take responsibility. But that would hurt either one or the other.
"If...youāve made the decision to make a sacrifice for them, why donāt you say yes to me. I donāt love you now, but I believe I would fall in love with you. I would love you this time. Not because of Stuart. I would fall in love with you because I want to take care of you."
"So you want to get married to me and spend the rest of your life staying with me because of your guilt? This is called charity. I would not accept it. I have self-esteem. "Marina refused Aaron immediately in a cold voice. Though her voice was low, Aaron could felt her determination.
Even though she was disfigured and experienced all those terrible things these years, and she was still a proud girl. She would not still refuse all charity and sympathy from others. Without that, she could still live a good life.
She was like a rose in the rain. Though all its petals fell, its stem was still standing there straightly.
"No matter what, all I want is a chance. Please give me a chance. Guilty...what is wrong with guilty. I would try my best to fall in love with you. I would fall in love with you. I promise."
Aaron held her hands immediately. But Marina stepped backward immediately.
Aaronās hands froze in the air. He felt lost.
Marinaās eyes were covered with a layer of cold frost. She said word by word with determination,
"Aaron, I donāt need you to swear to fall in love with me. You donāt love me. Neither do I. You donāt have to do this at all. You would find the girl you love. But that is not me."
Then, Marina turned around without any hesitation, leaving Aaron a cold back.