Chapter 291
In Dahlia’s words, she was subtly nudging Charles to send Evelyn to prison.
“I owe them both,” Charles admitted, his voice heavy with regret. It was his indirect actions that led to Charlie’s death. Evelyn stabbing him was a consequence he felt he deserved, so how could he blame her?
“I know you feel guilty about Charlie’s death and that you think you owe Evelyn, but no matter what, Evelyn shouldn’t have stabbed you…” Dahlia knew it wasn’t the right moment to voice these thoughts, but she couldn’t bring herself to let Evelyn off the hook.
Charles’s expression darkened, and he cut Dahlia off abruptly. “Dahlia, even if you did it for Sandy, you couldn’t have predicted Charlie’s condition would worsen unexpectedly, but the fact remains you took Charlie’s kidney donor! Charlie died on the operating table because of it!”
“Both
you and I are indirectly responsible for Charlie’s death!” he continued. “I’m aware of how I’ve wronged Evelyn and Charlie. I haven’t forgotten; I just feel so much pain for you.”
Dahlia internally scoffed at his explanation but kept a calm exterior. She looked at Dahlia, who was crying her heart out by the hospital bed. Charles didn’t rush to comfort her like he usually would. Instead, he suddenly asked, “Dahlia, why did you tell Evelyn the truth about Sandy’s kidney donor?”
His question came out of nowhere. Unlike last time, Dahlia wasn’t prepared for this. The surprise caught her off guard, and by the time she realized it, it was too late to deny anything. Her initial reaction had already given Charles the answer he needed.
Dahlia never underestimated Charles, knowing he wasn’t someone to be easily deceived. She was fully aware that Charles tolerated her only because she was Debbie. In his heart, no one could compare to Debbie. He had buried his feelings deep, constantly idealizing her over the years.
Dahlia had witnessed firsthand what Charles was like back then. He was
a complete madman. Without Debbie, that sweet, innocent girl, Charles would have lost his mind long ago. To Charles, Debbie was his salvation. His perception of Debbie was so idealized that he couldn’t bear to attribute any fault to her. In his eyes, Debbie represented truth, goodness, and beauty-she was perfect. Dahlia understood this well, which is why she felt secure in her position.
“Charles, I’m sorry,” Dahlia finally admitted through her tears. “Last night, when
you told me you couldn’t keep your promise…”
“You know how much I love you,
how long I’ve waited for you because of that promise.” Her voice cracked with emotion, “Then, when we finally reunited, we were tor apart for five years because of that night with Evelyn.”
“Now you’re telling me we can’t be together, that you want to be with Evelyn…” she continued, her voice barely a whisper. “In a moment of impulse, I told Evelyn…”
“I never thought she’d impulsively seek revenge for Charlie.” Charles pressed his lips tightly together. He felt guilty about this, too, thinking he had wronged Dahlia.
“Charles, have you fallen for Evelyn? Is that why you want to be with her?” Dahlia asked, breaking the silence.
“No, I just feel I owe them, and I want to make amends,” Charles instinctively denied it. How could he possibly fall for Evelyn? He loved only Debbie, and it was impossible for him to love anyone else in this lifetime.
Dahlia grasped Charles’s hand. “Charles, I feel guilty about Charlie’s death too Last night, after I told Evelyn the truth, I was overwhelmed with guilt. I wanted to visit Charlie’s grave. It was dark when I got there, and I accidentally slipped and fell…”