Chapter 415

Ethan's face twisted in anguish. Those memories were meant to stay buried, locked away where they couldn't haunt him anymore. He had vowed to spend the rest of his life atoning for his mistakes.

But Vivian was here now, standing before him, and no amount of denial could erase her from his heart.

"You said I hated you," he admitted, his voice rough. "And I did—for a while. But the truth is, I hated myself more. I was the one who failed us. I was too idealistic, too blind. I couldn't stop any of it from happening..." His words faltered, and he turned away, shoulders trembling as he fought to keep his composure.

Vivian had never seen him like this—raw, vulnerable. The man she knew was always cold, always in control. But now, he looked lost. The only other time she'd witnessed this side of him was at his brother's funeral.

Her chest ached. The urge to reach out, to comfort him, was almost overwhelming.

Then a sharp voice in her mind hissed, "Sympathize with him, and you'll regret it for the rest of your life. Don’t."

She swallowed hard and forced herself to speak lightly. "What's done is done. No use dwelling on it. Just... move on."

There was no magic phrase to erase years of pain.

"Is there anything you need from me?" she asked carefully.

Ethan drew a slow breath, regaining his composure. His expression smoothed into its usual indifference, though his eyes still glistened. "If you truly feel guilty, then show Cassandra some mercy. She’s not a saint, but she’s not evil either. Life hasn’t been kind to her."

'My brother loved her deeply,' he thought. 'If he were still alive, they would’ve had a happy family. But fate had other plans. And now, the least I can do is honor his memory by looking after her.'

"Understood," Vivian said with a nod.

'So he really does love her now,' she mused bitterly. 'Enough to stand by her, even after everything. How touching. No wonder he was so eager to divorce me back then.'

"We're visiting the child’s grave today," Ethan said, his tone icy. "You can come with us, if you’re free."

He knew this was something only she could resolve. Otherwise, they’d all remain trapped in this endless cycle of guilt and regret.

But he wasn’t sure she would agree. Not with her pride.

"Of course," he added, watching her closely, "if you’d rather not, I won’t force you."