"Power in the Hands of a Woman" (Miraculous Gabenath)

Chapter XVI

Many questions appeared in her head, but there were no answers to any of them. His behavior was incomprehensible to her.
-Get away from me! - she screamed. - You're just like everyone else. - Then she felt dizzy and touched her forehead with her hand. Hawk Moth walked over to her and sat down next to his dying assistant.
-I just want to help you. - he repeated in a calm voice.
-Help?! - she asked mockingly - You have already helped destroy my life enough! Now I have nothing to live for and no one to live for! This all makes no sense! I lost everything I cared about: my family, my memories, my childhood, and worst of all, you. - Hawk Moth opened his eyes wider. He didn't expect such words. - I didn't mean to hurt you, I treated you badly, I'm sorry... - she cried - The only thing I can do to make it up to you is to disappear from your life once and for all!
-But it was already fine... - he grabbed her by the shoulders.
-All right?! - she asked irritably, tugging at his suit. She pulled at her clothes with the last of her strength. - It was never good... You never loved me and then I hated you... where do you see it being good...? But I really still love you, I appreciate every little gesture you make towards me. Forgive me! I didn't mean to be so mean to you!
The man fell silent for a moment. He had to sort out a few things in his head. Nathalie loved him. She loved him. And he her. So why was it so complicated?
-You had the right to be angry with me. - he said after a while. - I promised nothing would happen. Both with your hometown and with that watch. But I failed you. So I swore I would fix it. Maybe this wasn't the repair you expected, but since I couldn't help you, I want to at least compensate you for all your wrongs. I want to help you recover, I will donate my fortune to repair the city, I will help its inhabitants. As for the watch - here the man took out a different, but similar watch from his pocket. - maybe it's not the other watch and it will never replace it, because the other one had its unique sentimental value for you, but this one is from me to you. - Saying this, he put it in her hand. - I will do my best to correct my mistakes. But I need someone to do it for. As long as you agree to accept our help. The woman looked at her watch for a moment, intrigued.
-And you don't care about that stupid watch! - she cried, crying. - I did it to revive Emilie, so that you could finally be happy! - Gabriel was choked up. He kept thinking that Nathalie was trying to get the miraculous for herself, not him.
-But I'm happy, I have you.
-Not after the way I acted...
-I already told you - everyone has bad moments.
-But not all the time! I just... at first I was really mad at you... but when I saw how hard you tried for me, how much you cared to fix your mistake... how long can you hate someone when you see how hard they try? ? It's not true that I hate you! - she sobbed. - I love you! Very much! But I wanted to revive Emilie because I know how much you love her! I specifically didn't want to feel anything, so that it would be easier, so that it wouldn't hurt so much when Emilie came back! That's why I tried to move away. I know I was stupid, harsh and cold to you. I regret it, I swear! I tried to stay with the fact that I hated you, I didn't want to let you into my heart again, but your behavior towards me made me have doubts. And besides... I don't even have a heart... How can you treat someone so close to you in such a cruel way? Only a heartless man could do something like that, that is... me. Empty, stupid... doesn't matter... no wonder if you hate me now... I wonder why you haven't done it yet.
-Nathalie... - Gabriel whispered, completely forgetting that Ladybug and Chat Noir were behind them, and they were still wearing their supervillain costumes. But now it didn't matter at all.
-You wanted to give me your wish. You gave up on reviving Emilie for me... You have a huge heart full of love with which you surrounded me... Maybe it wasn't how I imagined it, but you did what you could.
-No. I should have taken better care of you sooner. You told me yourself... a simple: relax, it's worthless. After all, actions speak louder than words, my dear. - saying this, he grabbed her cheek, which was still running down bitter tears full of regret and despair. - I... I should have taken better care of you and given you more care and love earlier, I'm sorry that I realized it so late and that I ruined everything and didn't keep any of the promises I made to you...