Second Chances

I won't love you any longer

I shifted my gaze and examined the man in front of me. He had an apathetic expression on his face, as well as some distaste. I am amused by his surprise.

"Did he believe that I had intentionally harmed myself to get his attention?" "She's such a pathetic delusion."

"Did you injure yourself too much? You don't seem well?" The way he spoke implied that he was not aware of the flow of blood emanating from her hands.

Even the maid who was wrapping my hands with the gauze flinched at his cold words.

I just held the cup more firmly to ensure it doesn't fall out of my hands. When I explained my lame justification, I averted my eyes away from him. Oh, how I despise him.

I chugged some cold water to take the heat off. I wasn't glad to see him, as it was unnecessary to say. Even the servants and maids felt the change in me, then did he not know about it?

He was wanting to meet me the last three days for what reason? Norhing good can come from him.

"May I ask the reason for your visit, Your Highness?" As angry as I was, I tried to seem as neutral as possible when I spoke to him.

He continued to look at me, and asked if he could speak with me about the incident two days ago.

At his questioning, I clenched my damaged hand causing the blood to flow out once again causing Lina’s eyes to be  filled with concern.

The girl was shocked when I gave her a reassuring smile. My eyes then changed back to cold as they looked back at bennard. As if noticing the change in my expression, he seemed to be surprised for a second, When I saw a change in his serene expression, I was also surprised.

However, he returned to his normal as soon as his expression changed.

After watching this, I simply inquired "So, what would you like to know about it, Your Highness?"

"According to the maids, you werent able to breathe properly and were unwell. Few servants were brave enough to say that you had passed away." He stopped speaking and watched me to assess my response, but my face was completely calm and tranquil.

It was like he wasn't talking my death, but whether it was going to rain. "Is it possible you remember what had occurred, because the head maid arrived in the morning and informed me you were completely fine?"

Although he questioned like he was worried about me, he really wasn't. But I could hear the suspicion in his voice making m ground my teeth once again. However, even when I was speaking, my tone was absolutely calm.

"I don’t remember my Lord. I got a full night's sleep and woke up the next morning as usual. There was nothing wrong with me." And at the end, I faked a smile just to keep up appearances.

Bennard lifted his head as I spoke and quietly studied me before finally saying, "Do you remember that specific occurrence, however little it may seem?"

What was that event? I tilted my head to ask. I have trouble remembering the early years of my marriage. So, to summarise, when I died I was in my 40s.

"A month ago when you threatened me with poison, you said that you would eat it." He replied in disgust as he looked at me.

I concentrated as hard as I could on my memory and tried to recall what he had been saying. The Empress was hosting a tea party, and she was invited. To show everyone that their marriage life is not distant, she begged him to accompany her there. He showed no interest in this and simply ignored her.

He ignored me completely, even though I was standing in front of him. After I became enraged, I said that I would kill myself by consuming poison if he doesn’t stop being so cold. Even then he didn't exhibit the slightest care, he still did nothing.

Anyone who witnessed that would have assumed he was completely deaf and blind. There was no expression on his face even though his face hadn't changed.

Now take a look at his guts to ask me in the manner of someone who is totally frustrated. I laughed in utter anger and replied.

"In a fit of fury, I uttered such things, but it is all in the past now." I am free of all blame. I am not that Melinda anymore.

He looked at me as if I am telling him a joke, his piercing gaze tried to dissect me with his eyes. "You wanted my attention again, didn't you, Melinda?"

I was flabbergasted by the sheer surprise of it all. He honestly believes I tried to murder myself, doesn't he? To be honest, I didn't even know about it as I just came back alive in the morning.

What on earth did he mean? Being distrustful because of something you didn't know about is a bit much.

“I admit, I've done a few questionable things to catch your attention in the past.”

"A few?" he mocked.

“A couple of them..” I corrected.

“Only a few?" he reiterated. Look at his audaciousness.

"nevertheless! This time, things were different." I did my best to keep my composure, and hence my image.

Even still, the man's eyes spoke to his uncertainty about my genuineness, even if his scepticism was concealed. “You may try everything in your power to obtain the affection from me, but no matter what you do, I will not love you back.”

There have been previous occasions on which he has insulted me in this manner. But up until now, I've always sobbed and demanded to know why he married me in the first place.

It's not the case this time, since I am no longer willing to adore you regardless of what you do.

As a matter of fact, I want to pour cold water all over that ridiculous face of his. Did I ask for his love when I said, When did I ask for his love just now? It was like he was trying to pre‑emptively dump me before I could confess. Go to hell!

"Yes, my lord. If that is the case, then I certainly do not want your affection." I smiled brightly in reply.

This was not an attempt at humour or taunting. That was absolutely not a joke. I have zero desire to be with someone who would treat me this way.