Chapter 273: Heart Demon
The gossip around them never ceased.
Some said Aria was ungrateful, kicking aside the boyfriend who'd stood by her through hard times the moment she became famous.
Others said she was too heartless, destroying Lucas's entire future and refusing to look back.
These rumors, combined with Lucas's day-after-day silent devotion, completely trapped the already exhausted Aria.
She had once seen through right and wrong, had completely let go, but her heart slowly began breeding endless self-doubt.
Inner demons took root silently and grew wildly.
She couldn't help but question herself.
Was she really too heartless?
Did Lucas's companionship truly outweigh all his absurdity and harm?
Was she, with her injured and disabled left hand, incomplete and unworthy of being truly loved?
Negative thoughts entangled her day and night, impossible to shake off.
Since that midnight terror, she hadn't slept soundly once.
Night after night she was trapped in nightmares, filled with Lucas's obsessive, twisted face.
Each time she woke in cold sweat, heart pounding violently, hands trembling uncontrollably.
She developed severe insomnia, mental confusion, depression, and lost interest in everything.
The physical pain in her left hand was still bearable, but the darkness in her heart and self-denial had completely consumed her state of mind.
Her friends all noticed something was wrong.
Sean was the first to stay by her side.
Learning she'd been invaded in her home late at night, traumatized and depressed, and deeply trapped in psychological turmoil, he pushed aside all work matters to stay with her almost constantly.
He came punctually every day to eat with her, take her out, patiently guide her through all negative emotions, repeatedly telling her the fault wasn't hers, repeatedly soothing her anxiety and fear.
But mental illness could never be cured by a few comforting words from others.
Sean could accompany her, but he didn't understand the fear buried deep in her heart.
So no matter how much Sean counseled and patiently explained, Aria's inner demons never dispersed.
She still doubted herself, suffered insomnia nightly, and even began refusing medical treatment.
She subconsciously closed herself off, shutting out everyone's good intentions, living in a dark, oppressive self-imposed prison.
Watching Aria grow more haggard and withdrawn day by day, Sean felt helpless and at a loss.
When everyone was at their wit's end, Larry returned.
He didn't appear with fanfare, just learned of her condition and privately approached Sean.
Larry said just one simple sentence that struck at the heart of the matter.
"You're all urging her to let go of the hurt, but no one's helping her find herself. Her demons—only I can resolve them. I'm not asking for anything, I just want her to live well and rediscover her passion."
Sean was silent for a long time, then finally nodded.
He knew clearly that among everyone present, only Larry had seen Aria's purest self, understood all her obsessions and vulnerabilities.
So perhaps only he could untangle her mental knots.
From then on, Larry began gradually guiding Aria's psychological recovery.
He never lectured her with grand principles, never argued with her about right and wrong in relationships.
He just accompanied her in doing the purest things.
Browsing through old sheet music from her youth together, discussing it, listening to the pure instrumental music she'd loved as a teenager, or sitting quietly by the window watching the scenery.
Little by little, he helped her remember her original self.
Remember the eighteen-year-old Aria.
Back then she'd been pure, passionate, brave, never asking for returns on what she gave, unafraid of the rough road ahead—if she liked something, she liked it; if she loved something, she loved it.
She would never bind herself or deny herself because of anyone else's contributions.
Larry gently told her she owed no one anything.
Even with her injured left hand, it didn't mean she was unworthy of love.
True love never demanded repayment.
Larry slowly helped Aria strip away the moral shackles Lucas had imposed on her, helped her distinguish between genuine companionship and moral blackmail.
Meanwhile, Sean continued silently guarding her life.
He arranged a fulfilling, stable daily routine for her, took her out to enjoy sunshine, walk around, experience everyday life, and shielded her from all outside gossip and the still-persistent Lucas.
Day by day passed, and under their silent care and healing, Aria's nerves, taut for half a year, finally gradually relaxed.
The nightmares lessened, the insomnia gradually improved.
She no longer dwelled on whether she owed others, no longer felt inferior about her left hand injury, no longer felt unworthy of love.
She slowly emerged from that shadow and finally rediscovered her relaxed, comfortable self.
It was on a late night after fully healing herself that Aria became fully aware of everyone's deliberate care.
She knew clearly that Sean had given her unconditional tolerance and protection.
And the person who'd truly opened the knot in her heart, completely dispersed her demons, and helped her reconcile with herself was Larry.
If not for Larry, she might have remained trapped in self-doubt for much longer.
So that evening, Aria proactively contacted Larry.
They met by the deserted riverside.
Aria spoke first, her tone peaceful.
"Thank you for this time."
She openly reconciled with Larry, with all past love, hate, and entanglement.
She finally truly understood the meaning of relationships.
She finally realized that true love was never a transaction or bondage.
True love was respect, something that made people better and happier.
Looking at the girl whose eyes had regained their light, Larry offered his sincere blessing.
"From now on, whatever happens, I wish you peace and the freedom to live as you please."
After saying goodbye, Larry turned and left alone.
He chose to let go of all obsessions and stop dwelling in the past.
He finally decided to truly fulfill himself and pursue his own path forward.
Aria didn't know where Larry was going, and Larry himself wasn't sure.
He only said he wanted to see other parts of the world.
All these years he'd been trapped in obsession and emotion too. From now on, he wanted to live his own life properly.
……
After Larry left, Lucas continued harassing Aria for a full month.
He no longer made scenes or went crazy, but used the most wearing method to hover at the edges of Aria's life.
He appeared punctually every day, trying to use this gentle coercion, stubbornly clinging to the last shred of unrealistic hope.
He was convinced that as long as he persisted long enough, Aria would eventually soften.
Even though she'd already overcome her demons and regained her peace, he still refused to give up.
This matter soon reached Evelyn's ears.
Evelyn had always thought her son excelled academically with a bright future, never worrying too much about him.
Only when this happened did Evelyn learn how obsessive her son was in relationships.
If she let him continue staying in this city, he would only remain forever trapped in this relationship, consuming himself and completely ruining his life.
Without a moment's hesitation, Evelyn immediately set aside all work and flew abroad overnight.