His Obsession Began After Losing Her-Chapter 35: Thirteen Years Ago: Shuri’s POV (7)

Richard smirked. "I knew you were after the Kingstons' wealth. Since you know your place, we will give you any amount you want."

I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at his remark.

It was ironic that he thought I was the greedy one when his own aura revealed the truth.

His aura was a dark, muddy yellow, a clear sign of his greed and materialism.

The murky color swirled around him, tainted with the selfishness that drove his every action.

"What's so funny?" Richard frowned, unable to understand why I was looking at him as if he were a joke.

I shook my head with a calm smile. "I think you misunderstood me, Mr. Chandler. I don't want money. What I want is for Ran to be happy."

Richard raised his brow at me, appearing startled at how I knew his name because he hadn't bothered introducing himself to me, and also by my request. "What's this nonsense?"

"If the Kingston family or you can bring Ran happiness, I'll voluntarily leave," I clarified.

After looking into Richard, I came to realize that despite the outward appearance of success and privilege, Noran's life with the Kingston family was far from ideal.

The immense pressure to live up to the Kingstons' name and legacy weighed heavily on him, leaving no room for mistakes or personal growth outside of music.

His life was meticulously controlled, from his daily schedule to his social interactions, ensuring he remained focused solely on his musical career. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Even his friends and those he interacted with were personally chosen by the family, resulting in superficial relationships based on utility.

Growing up in such a controlled environment, how could anyone be truly happy?

Learning that he had been living this way hurt me deeply.

They probably would never know that despite my admiration for him, as his fan, I never intended to possess Noran; his happiness was all that mattered to me.

"Hahaha! Happiness? As expected, there's no point in talking to uneducated commoners like you," Richard sneered.

"I've run a background check on you. Your parents died two years ago, leaving you and your sister with their café.

After graduating from high school, you both moved to New Valley to open this dump. Do you really think you can make a name for yourself running this pathetic café?"

We opened our café in New Valley because it was our father's dream to have one in this big city, but there was no need for him to know that.

I continued to observe Richard as he proceeded to threaten me.

"Your café is getting fewer customers now, isn't it? If you insist on leeching onto Mr. Noran, I can assure you that no one would patronize your café! We can force you out of business, and you'd have no choice but to leave this city!"

"If Rin leaves here, I'll go with her as well," a cold voice interrupted.

Noran had appeared from the back door.

Like Richard, I was surprised to see Noran there.

Then I saw Karlene standing behind him and immediately realized that she had gone to call Noran over just now.

Startled by Noran's presence, Richard stood up, looking flustered. "M-Mr. Noran, why are you here? Did you ditch school again? Mr. and Mrs. Kingston will be upset to learn about this..."

"It's not your place to lecture me," Noran said coldly.

Despite being significantly younger than Richard, Noran commanded respect because of his status as a Kingston, a member highly esteemed by the family.

Richard, in his role as an advisor, understood that his position was subordinate to Noran's within the family hierarchy.

While Richard may have been older and more experienced, Noran's status as a Kingston meant that Richard had to tread carefully and show deference, even if it meant swallowing his pride.

Richard cleared his throat as he tried to maintain a composed façade.

"Mr. Noran, I have been sent here by Mrs. Kingston to escort you back. Your place isn't here. You belong with the Kingstons."

It was only then that I realized Noran hadn't returned home for quite some time.

"Where I belong has nothing to do with you. Your job is to go back and tell those old geezers that I have no interest in continuing to be their puppet," Noran said bluntly, his voice turning colder as he glanced down at the shorter Richard.

"Now, get lost."

Feeling pressured, Richard could only bow his head slightly as he tried to reply in a steady voice, "P-Please reconsider..."

As he hurriedly turned to leave, Richard stumbled over the chair that Karlene had purposely pulled out, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the ground.

"Oopsy, you should watch where you're going, fatso," Karlene scoffed.

"You...!" Richard wanted to curse back at Karlene, but when he saw Noran eyeing him coldly, he decided not to pursue the matter and clumsily got up to leave.

Once Richard had left, Noran turned to me looking apologetic. "I'm sorry you had to hear such hurtful things because of me."

I wanted to console him, but Karlene cut in bluntly, "Your family is fucking ridiculous! Sending someone to threaten and bribe my sister to leave you. Have they watched too much TV drama, so they are itching to create one?"

"Lene!" I scolded Karlene and gestured for her to give us some space.

"Tsk, since he drove that fatso away, I'll let it slide today," Karlene muttered in frustration and left to make arrangements for closing the shop.

I turned to look back at Noran and saw that he was still looking down in shame while biting his lips.

"Don't do that. You'll bleed," I said, touching his lips gently in concern, prompting him to stop biting.

I realized he had developed a new habit of biting his lips whenever he felt helpless and distressed.

This was the first time he had openly shown vulnerability, and though it pained me to see him in distress, I appreciated that he didn't hide his vulnerability from me.

He appeared to be afraid that I'd be upset by what had happened and leave him.

From the earlier conversation, I could tell he had done many things to rebel against his family.

It would be unreasonable for me to expect someone who was only eighteen to protect me from any harm, especially one caused by a powerful family like the Kingstons.

As I smiled gently at him, I took his hand to reassure him.

"I'm really alright. To tell you the truth, I was prepared for this. I even called the landlord and said we would be ending our lease with him this month."

His eyes flickered as he tightened his grip on my hand. "I already said, if you leave here, I'm coming with you."

"Ran, are you sure you want to do this? If you follow me, you won't be able to enjoy any luxuries," I warned him gently.

"I don't need luxury. I only need you, Rin," he replied firmly.

However, I had to remain persistent as I continued, "Once you leave your family, you might never be able to perform on those big and grand stages again."

"I don't need others to hear my music. I only want to play the piano for you," he replied without hesitation.

I was touched by his words but I didn't believe he'd have a bright future with me, so I insisted, "You will be stripped of all privileges and you will have to suffer and work hard... Uhm!"

He swallowed my remaining words with his kiss, and once again, I could completely feel his sense of longing for me, washing away my anxiety and replacing it with a sense of ecstasy.

He only released me when he felt that I had accepted his feelings.

He looked at me with a soft gaze and breathed, "I'd rather suffer a lifetime working hard than live a life without you, Rin."

At those words, I could only look back at him with a defeated look.

I couldn't reject him further; I lost.

I realized there was no way I could push this man away.

It was on that very day I promised to be with him for the rest of his life.

However, I couldn't keep that promise.

Our ending was anything but beautiful – covered with injuries and soaked in blood, and I ended up breaking my promise to save him.

If we never met back then, would our ending have been different?

Would I not have ended up dying?

Would he not have ended up hurt?

Although I wouldn't know the answers to those questions, I was confident that if we were given a second chance in life, I would still fall in love with him and choose to give up my life to save him from danger because that was how much he meant to me.

That day, I wanted to stay alive a little while longer to make sure he was safe, but the world around me started to be enveloped in darkness.

It darkened gradually, as if someone was pouring black water from the sky until I could no longer see his beautiful face.

When the pitch-black darkness completely engulfed my surroundings, everything surprisingly became so quiet and peaceful.

The world of death I had expected to be cold was rather warm.

I thought I'd continue sleeping quietly here forever.

However, something stirred within the darkness, disturbing my rest as I slowly opened my eyes.