The Duke's Passion

Chapter 751 Love yourself

Chapter 751 Love yourself

The rest of the day went by with each of them preparing for their departure and before they knew it, the night of their departure was a few hours close. All this time, Lilou had been preparing and stepped out of the estate to the garden to breathe some fresh air. Lilou sat down on the bench in the garden, looking up at the young night sky. She drew a deep breath, cocking her head back and closing her eyes. "If you want to say something, just say it." Her voice had a tinge of exhaustion while opening her eyes ever so slowly. "Just don't stare at me from a distance. You know I can feel your gaze, right?"

Lilou looked back. Her eyes instantly fell on Stefan, standing several steps away from the bench. Stefan chuckled dryly.

"May I join you?" he requested and smiled when Lilou shrugged. She then moved to the side while Stefan advanced in her direction, sitting beside her, leaving a safe gap between them. When both of them were sitting on the bench, Lilou stared at the dark garden. Since it was temporary accommodation, they didn't have the leisure to decorate it with lamps. Fabian would have, though. If they stayed longer.

"Back on the mainland, we had this enormous garden." Lilou's calm and soft voice erupted in the air, keeping her eyes ahead. "I forgot how many times Fabian had to close his eyes every time I and Charlie try to add something in it to make him happy. Obviously, it just annoys him." Yôur favorite stories at novelhall.com

"He sounds like he owns the house."

"He owns the house," she corrected and laughed weakly. "He's very efficient in housework and everything. I used to live all alone in my humble shack, but after meeting Sam and everyone, I can't imagine living that life again."

"I'm not saying the life of a peasant, but the life of being all alone," she continued, lowering her eyes. "It terrifies me. That's why I was grateful that after the regression, you came for me."

"Was there a chance that we could've ended up together if I didn't leave you in Banse?" he asked. "What do you think?"

"I don't know." Lilou shrugged. "And I don't want to think about it. I'm with Sam now, and we had children together. I love him... more than myself and I can't imagine my life without him in it. I'd die."

Stefan smiled bitterly. But he had seen that answer coming. He was all alone in those feelings and was the only person who had such questions. Even after the regression, he would never get her answers because with or without her memories, Lilou had always known there was already someone who had a strong hold of her heart. And that wasn't Stefan. "But I meant every word I said before." Lilou snapped her eyes ever so tenderly, setting them to his side profile. She waited for him to look back at her before she continued. "I had always liked you, Lexx. It might not be the same as what I feel for my husband, but I never hated you. Be it then or now, regardless of the bad blood between us, I can never hate you."

The side of her lips curled up as she rocked her head encouragingly. "How can I? If, at one point, I can understand why you were antagonizing us. It made me angry, yes. Because I had always understood your heart, I just cannot condone it and clashed with you head-on. Hence, I never hated you when you were alive and even when after your death."

"Lexx." Lilou mustered her courage and reached for his hand that was resting on his lap. "If you truly love me, don't search for your happiness from me. Channel that love or emotion to yourself. Love yourself. That's my only wish."

Stefan observed the slight smile on her face, but her encouraging words didn't encourage or discouraged him. It only tore his heart because what she was wishing for was devastating for him. "You're really cruel." He held her hand with his thumb, pressing it mildly. "But I will try, Lulu. I will try... to be happier without you. Maybe that's the best revenge I can do."

The two of them looked at each other, exchanging a subtle smile. They didn't say much, but that was enough for them. A small talk without arguing. It somehow left this relief in their hearts. And they were grateful for this chance they had never had in the past.