All-in and Fold
Meanwhile, Theo, who met Stella at the monastery, learned all the secrets between Elizabeth and Kiern.
'That man has always been interested in my daughter. And as soon as the opportunity presented itself, he took the daughter.
Stella was busy cursing the duke, remembering the humiliation her daughter had suffered. She only added very briefly about the sins that she herself had committed. Of course, just with that, Theo could understand the situation.
All the truths that Stella blurted out when she heard that Elizabeth was alive were filled with cruelty.
A bad relationship lasts that has been passed down from generation to generation. It was unimaginable pain for Theo, who watched them both go bankrupt.
Theo remembered the past. It was the time when the ladies-in-waiting gossiped about Elizabeth in the kitchen.
At that point, Theo flew into a rage as soon as he heard the bridesmaids' story and offered to arrange another place for Elizabeth. However, in my words at the time, she said that she could not leave. Then he said something incomprehensible.
I can't leave this place.
'You can not go away? Could it be that the duke is taking advantage of Miss Elizabeth's weakness?
It's just what I chose to stay.
A woman who insisted on staying with a man with a fiancée.
I can't be free if he doesn't let me go.
At the moment those words were spoken, Elizabeth's eyes filled with emotions Theo dared not imagine. And now it seemed that he could understand that feeling, albeit vaguely.
"There is no such thing as such a terrible love."
Theo was devastated. He had no choice but to turn his back on the monastery and find a tavern due to the feeling of helplessness that he could not handle with his sober mind.
A bad relationship that has been passed down from father to son. Two people whose innocent first love has degenerated into an obscene love. And he tried to get between them, but he still couldn't take a single step.
Strangely, when the behavior of the two people, which was incomprehensible at the time, was later understood, the force was lost. There was no longer any strength left to squeeze between them.
Theo didn't have the confidence to handle Elizabeth's devoted love. Compared to her innocence in trying to love a man who didn't hesitate to ruin me for revenge, her own innocence towards her was so insignificant.
At the same time, she was fed up with Kiern Agafel, who was trying to do everything he could to come back after harassing her like that.
In fact, Theo had only heard of the last five years of Kiern's publication. It was only natural that he would deliberately avoid it.
News of the duke was everywhere, and it was easy for Theo to learn of his promotion.
At first glance, there was an incorrigible body-abusing man behind the seemingly great achievements.
The achievements the Duke has made in the past five years have been truly remarkable. Since his reckless participation in the war and his investment hit the jackpot, he couldn't be written off as a lucky man.
So I just knew that I was living a good life. However, the duke, whom she met at a party the other day, looked terribly empty.
'I have nothing to envy to my success. They're all illusions, just dusty things.
I thought it was unfortunate arrogance to be pessimistic towards those who celebrated my success. However, looking back now, it seems that the duke was also maintaining a terrible chastity.
Theo, who had focused only on the Duke's success like the others, now saw his danger. He was successful, but it was a series of failures in life. He would have lived thinking that he had lost the most precious thing.
"I can't win this way."
Theo could see now. That Kiern Agafel is taking great care of me. And that the reason is Elizabeth Lua.
The fact that a great man who could easily break Theo Cavill's past achievements if he wanted to fight back just to this point shows that he has changed. Even if there is a counterattack from our side, I will maintain that attitude even if I take defeat.
Theo was more afraid of the duke now than the duke he had seen at the party back then. He, who had grown bored with successive successes, was on fire in front of Isabel.
If he had burned Elizabeth before, this time it was a passion that burned itself. It really was all in.
The duke, who can be said to be the pillar of a country, abandoned his duties and pursued a woman was a dereliction of duty and a gamble Theo could not have imagined.
The only thing I could do against an opponent calling all-in with a winning hand was to fold.
Even the opponent predicted my victory and it was not a bet. He didn't even know his hand and acted like it was the only way.
Theo was terrified because he had never risked everything for Elizabeth before.
At the same time, I felt miserable. I myself couldn't be so wrong for jumping innocently without knowing that there was such a terrible relationship between the two of them. He was himself the ignorant idiot who jumped into a game where victory or defeat was decided.
Theo had arrived at the mansion, drunk, and had just stumbled up the stairs.
"Theo?"
Elizabeth, who was waiting for Theo, heard the presence and left the room to speak to him. Theo, noticing her belatedly, raised his head. A strong smell of alcohol emanated from him.
"Have you been drinking?"
Elizabeth asked quietly, covering the tip of her nose. She didn't know why he was drunk. She was wild and hateful for asking without knowing. Theo gasped.
"It's because alcohol is sweet today."
It was a drink I drank because I couldn't see Elizabeth with my sober mind at all. However, even after drinking, I still felt hard.
"You were waiting for me? I can be so happy."
Theo raised his voice. Responding happily, she staggered in an attempt to welcome him with open arms.
“!!”
When Elizabeth supported him in surprise, he impulsively hugged Elizabeth. Theo gasped as her small body filled his arms.
"Wow, I thought I really didn't want to see you today."
I'm so happy to see you, I'm going crazy.
Elizabeth's shoulders tensed as Theo held her tighter. It was unfamiliar to him that he was so drunk that he couldn't control himself. I don't know what happened, but I knew it wasn't a situation to talk about right away.
“Leave this first. Come in and rest… … .”
Just as Elizabeth was about to push him away. Theo let out a pleading voice.
"Only once. Can't you just accept it for once?"
“… … .”
"I've done that, but you can accept so much, right?"
She didn't know what she was asking for. Is it your spirit or your heart? Maybe it was both.
Elizabeth stopped resisting without saying anything. It was because he recognized that it would not be possible to remove him by force.
I don't know what's going on, but maybe I need some comfort. Elizabeth could do nothing but comfort him. Even if you know the other person wants more than that. Theo, who knew this very well, spoke first.
"Can't you love me more than him?"
“… … .”
"Are you still missing?"
Theo asked, holding Elizabeth by the shoulders. The word sorry stayed in her throat, but she couldn't get it out.
Elizabeth just lowered her head. Words I didn't say for fear of making him miserable. But now he looked miserable even without saying the word.
I regretted that I could only respond to his love in this way. Treating him with lies is just playing with his love.
"Hahaha".
Theo let out a dejected laugh and swayed. When he saw her eyes, Theo read.
That even she had already sensed the direction in which my heart was drawn. That there is no place for him. That if he released her, she would go to the duke without hesitation.
Theo raised his voice in a fit of emotion and scolded her.
“You are truly ruthless and heartless. What am I worse than Kierne Agafel? He's the man who only hurt you, Eli.
At the nickname that came out abruptly, Elizabeth pursed her lips and continued.
“It's not that you couldn't give him your heart because you were inferior to him. It's just that my heart is already elsewhere."
"That's what it means to me."
“Theo is one of the kindest people I have ever met. I am sure that you will find a good woman besides me.
"No, you're wrong! I'm not a good person. You can have as many bad thoughts as you want, me too!"
Theo tightened his grip on Elizabeth's shoulders, like someone who has been cursed. He looked at her and raised his voice. It was as if he wanted to show that he already had a bad heart.
“It was like that for me before. Abigail Prairie would never accept Eden. Yes it is. Because he has already broken off his engagement with Kierne Agafel.
"Theo."
“They broke off their engagement shortly after Miss Elizabeth's funeral. The news had already circulated before the funeral. Although I knew right away, I kept it from you. Am I still a good person?"
As Theo trembled with evil, Elizabeth's breath grew heavy with pity for him. The truth Theo blurted out was what he had already heard from Anna.
It felt like the truth she had tried to ask him one day had been forcibly revealed. And that too at the worst time and form.
“I did this because I hated you for not accepting me. It is a retaliation directed at you who have been cornered with your petty pride. You know?"
It sounded like hurtful words, but it was actually a confession. That day his heart was bad and now he fears that they will find out. I regret it late.
Elizabeth sincerely felt sorry for him. Theo, who had no way of knowing, spoke to himself with a stinging face.
“Don't think about slandering me for cheating. It's because you were cruel to me. you're worse. Now, isn't Kiern Agafel condoning his visit because he's the father of Eden? Even in my mansion.
Theo seemed eager to hit me first before Elizabeth could say anything damning. Elizabeth stared at Theo, not wanting to say anything else.
"I have no intention of slandering you."
At that kind word, Theo stopped yelling and stared at her.
"Really."
Elizabeth insisted once more to reassure him. Because I was guessing the reason why he lied in the first place.
In the last five years, Elizabeth has also learned a lot about Theo. That he's not as gentle or chivalrous as I thought. That I have a great passion for my business and that I have a lot of greed. But he's not such a bad person.
"If there's anything else you want to say, you can continue."
It was very unfortunate that he lied to me, but she wasn't that proud of him either.
Although I knew his heart, I couldn't cut it like a knife and I kept him by his side. There were a lot of things that I was sorry Theo said about it here.
I didn't want to hurt her as much as possible, but now that I look at it, she looks precarious as if she's already received a lot.
Theo could tell that she already knew he had lied by the benevolent expression on her face. When I realized that I had been pretending not to know even though I did, resentment flared up along with a sense of shame.
Subsequently, Theo, who couldn't stand the misery, borrowed the alcohol's energy and began ridiculing him to the max.
“I thought it would have to wait. But why is he again? How much more do you intend to make me miserable?
“… … Theo.
"Do not look at me like that! You are really too much. He's the one who came to me making up a false identity, knowing he wasn't proud of himself. Enough to love such a person again, to the point that I can no longer coldly draw a line between them even though I know who they are… …!”
Theo muttered coldly, breathing frantically.
"Is your love so high and pure?"
It was the face of someone who did not want to utter these words. Because if you listen to the answer, you can go no further. because i have to stop
Elizabeth sighed low. All he could say was this.
"Thanks so far."
Elizabeth swallowed the words of forgiveness to the end. Saying sorry couldn't make him more miserable. Theo fell to his knees at that gentle consideration.
"Ha, please."
Then he muttered between sobs and took her hand. Elizabeth bit her bottom lip at what seemed desperate. No matter what you say, it seems like it only hurts him.
"Don't take it to heart that you lied to me. Because I think it was worth it."
“… … .”
“Theo is a good person. He was a very nice person, at least to me."
"Are you saying I'm a good person even though I'm taking my anger out on you?"
"Yes. If it was me, I would have gotten even angrier."
Theo's green eyes dimmed as he let out a mischievous smile. Elizabeth's kindness, trying to put me at ease, felt like it had been stabbed into my heart as sharp as a dagger.
I prefer to be nice or not.
do me no good I will treat you kindly.
But he loved her because he knew she wasn't that kind of woman. He groaned and lowered his head. After a while, he muttered in a gloomy tone.
"Go. … … I'm thinking of retiring from this game now."
“… … .”
“I shouldn't have fought a fight without winning in the first place. Maybe my pure love ends here."
Theo spoke his last words and released the hand that held her. I wish I hadn't even started.
It was a hangout where he was just trying to take advantage of an innocent young girl. So, even I didn't know that I would be so reckless, and I dragged it out for a long time because I didn't know.
But now it was time to stop. It was time to call the fold and break free from this great game. Otherwise I'll go broke unsightly.
he said, getting up from his seat.
"I can't eat anymore because I'm fed up."
Thus ended the relationship between Theo Cavill and Elizabeth Lua. Because they hurt each other so deeply that they couldn't even stay friends.
He only scratched himself with the blade of lies and she with the blade of sincerity.
If she had known beforehand the hidden secret between her and Kiern Agafel, she would not have gotten so far between them.
Even if you regret it now, you can't undo what happened in the past. Any further torture of hope would only lead everyone to misfortune.
Elizabeth backed away silently. The whole time she'd heard Theo's accusations, she couldn't help but admit it.
Kiern, who was smiling and flitting around me, caught my attention even more than the man who was crying so desperately.
Acknowledging the stark difference, he couldn't help but admit it. However, he still lacked the courage to start over.
“I'll leave as soon as I'm ready. Staying here any longer is something even Theo can't do.
Don't rush. Do you look nasty?
"Yes, I will do it."
Elizabeth bowed respectfully and thanked him. Theo smirked, knowing that this was his way of saying goodbye.
When I looked back, I felt like my heart was tearing. He had no intention of running and catching one. It was that pure.
Theo couldn't get out of bed even after hearing the sound of the door closing.
Looking back, it seems that I was just a temporary shelter to rest. She was a bird with a teacher from the start.
I didn't know that, and I felt sorry for the broken-winged bird, so I picked it up.
After that, he treated it carefully, but as soon as the bleeding wound healed, he tried to return to his owner immediately. As if that was where it would be from the beginning. So it was useless trying to catch him.
"Walk away. I think it would be less miserable that way."
Please live happily ever after with that disgusting man.
This time, I won't be able to fall apart because of my lies. I will coldly walk away from my side.
Theo turned and headed for his room.
