Chapter 1257
Mansfield looked at her sincerely. “I’m truly grateful that you saved me, but I need you to understand that your health and safety are just as important to me p>
Eleanor knew he was referring to her collapsing from exhaustion. She smiled. “You think I’m that fragile? It was just three sleepless nights. I’m young, what’s there to be afraid of p>
Outside the room, lan leaned against the hallway wall. Through the glass, he
watched the two of them talk. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he could see the smile on Eleanor’s face and the gentle way Mansfield gazed at her.
The meaning was obvious.
Inside, Mansfield’s expression shifted to one of apology and guilt. “Eleanor, there’s something I have to apologize for, and something I have to confess p>
Eleanor paused, looking at him seriously. “What is it p>
“My last mission wasn’t a military exercise. I was sent to a high-risk zone to rescue my brothers. It was wrong of me not to tell you before I left p>
Eleanor already knew. The moment she heard he had been brought back unconscious, she understood how dangerous his mission had been.
“I know. You don’t have to apologize,” she reassured him.
Mansfield shook his head, as if he’d made up his mind. “After this experience, there are things I have to make clear to you. Eleanor… I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I have to let you down p>
Eleanor’s face showed a flicker of surprise. She hadn’t expected him to say that.
Mansfield looked at her, then lowered his head in guilt. “After everything you’ve done for me, I shouldn’t be saying something so hurtful. But I can’t selfishly hurt you even more. My future, my career… it’s all full of uncertainty and danger. I was lucky enough to wake up this time, but I can’t guarantee I’ll be so lucky next time p>
His gaze drifted to the faint silhouette in the hallway outside. “You deserve someone better,” he said sincerely. “Someone who can always be by your side, not someone like me who can’t even keep a single promise p>
Eleanor knew he was referring to their first date, which he had missed.
She looked at him, her expression not one of sadness or disappointment as he’d expected, but one of calm understanding.
She sighed softly and met his guilty eyes. Her voice was gentle but clear. “Mansfield, you don’t need to feel sorry Actually there’s something I’ve been wanting to say to you, töð p>
Mansfield looked at her.
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Eleanor continued, “When you took that knife for me, you saved my life. I’ll always be grateful for that. But feelings… they’re about more than just datitude and being moved My Career, and Evelyn they take up most of my life. I probably… couldn’t give you a complete relationship either p>
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She looked up, her eyes honest and apologetic. “My life is already filled with work and my daughter. The time and energy I have left for a relationship is bound to be wouldn’t be fair to you. So, maybe I’m the one who should be apologizing p>
Mansfield was stunned. He never expected to hear this from her.
So it wasn’t just him letting go. They both had their own realities to face.
She had responsibilities and a child she couldn’t set aside, and he couldn’t give her the stability and companionship she deserved.
In that moment, they looked at each other not with regret, but with a mutual
understanding and a sense of shared relief.
And between them, a deep, pure friendship remained.
Mansfield smiled. “In that case, Eleanor, let’s be friends who’ve been through life and death together p>
“Okay,” Eleanor smiled back, a weight lifting from her as well. “Friends who’ve been through life and death together p>
Outside the room, lan them smile at each other, and a heart sank, bit by bit, to the very bottom.
It was time for him to let go.