Chapter 48
Every muscle in Leopold's body goes rigid, the tendons in his neck standing out like cords.
Just when I think he's about to admit it, he suddenly lets out a cold, mocking laugh.
"Leo—isn't that the pretty boy with the same name as my nickname?"
"Mistaking me for him like this—are you trying to humiliate me or make me sick?"
The jab pierces my heart, but I refuse to back down.
"The more you refuse, the guiltier you look."
Leopold shoots to his feet, eyes blazing as he glares at me.
"Fine. I'll put this to rest once and for all."
Without another word, he unfastens his cuff links and rolls up his sleeve.
The skin of his exposed forearm is smooth and flawless. No wounds whatsoever.
I take an involuntary half-step back.
The scrapes Leo got saving me were serious—there's no way they'd heal completely in two or three days.
It really... isn't him.
Leopold methodically refastens his cuff links. "Now that you've seen for yourself, next time you doubt me, I won't be so accommodating."
I say nothing, just drag my leaden feet toward the exit.
"Lucinda."
Leopold's voice calls out from behind me.
"That pretty boy isn't from your world. Better to give up on him sooner rather than later."
I stop and turn to face him.
"Don't keep calling him 'pretty boy.' He has a name. It's Leo."
"I don't see how you two are any different."
Leopold's gaze darkens gradually. "You talk a good game. If you care about him so much, why were you wrapped around another man?"
"That's your interpretation. Leo wouldn't think that way. He knows better than you what kind of person I am."
I don't want to engage anymore. Turning away, I stride quickly toward the hospital exit.
When I reach the entrance, the rain has lessened considerably.
Standing at the hospital doors, I look up at the oppressive black sky and laugh bitterly at myself.
Why did I act so stupid?
How could Leopold—golden boy born with a silver spoon—possibly be Leo, who makes his living tending bar?
Their similar demeanor is just a coincidence.
As for the blood on my palm...
Forget it. If I can't figure it out, I won't think about it.
Either way, gentle-tempered Leo, who risked his life to save me, could never be Leopold!
I exhale slowly and walk toward the parking lot with my umbrella.
But Leo's not in the car.
I'm about to go look for him when I turn around and see him coming back, umbrella in one hand, blanket in the other.
"Temperature dropped. Put this on."
I freeze for a second. This is the Leo I know best.
This kind of attentiveness—the current Leopold could never fake it.
I shouldn't have doubted Leo so recklessly.
"Thank you."
I quickly take the blanket and drape it over my shoulders.
And honestly? It's wonderfully warm. Heat spreads through my whole body.
The car glides smoothly along the street.
I gaze quietly at the scenery passing by the window.
When I spot a hotel ahead, I finally speak. "Leo, turn up there and head to the hotel parking garage."
Leo glances at me in surprise. "You're not going home?"
"Right. You're staying with me tonight."
At my words, Leo smiles with loaded meaning.
After checking in at the front desk, we head straight upstairs.
The moment the door clicks shut, I press him against it, kissing his face without restraint.
"Lucinda, wait—"
Leo holds my shoulders, leaning back to avoid me.
"Don't... I'm not ready yet."
I push his hands away, pressing closer deliberately. Feeling his body's response, I smile softly.
"Ready for what exactly?"
Leo's expression shifts. "Lucinda, are you really thinking clearly right now?"
That question douses my momentum. The smile on my lips turns bitter.
"Guess I still can't become that kind of woman after all."
Leo pulls me over to the couch. "What's going on with you tonight? What do you mean, 'that kind of woman'?"
I don't answer, falling silent and spacing out.
"Lucinda." Leo's hand gently caresses my face. "What happened? If someone's bullying you, you have to tell me. Even if I have to risk everything, I'll protect you."
My first instinct is to deny it.
But when I look down and see the edge of bandaging peeking from his sleeve, my heart softens all at once.
"Leo, I saw my teacher today. I paused ballet for my ex-boyfriend before and missed a really important competition. My teacher was furious. I thought she still hadn't forgiven me, but turns out she had all along."
"That's good news. Why are you so upset?" Leo sounds confused.
"I'm upset because even my teacher can forgive my mistakes, but my ex can't forgive me for things I never even did. He keeps humiliating and hurting me over and over for his so-called first love..."
Leo's expression shifts subtly. "What do you mean, things you never did? Explain that."
"Actually, after the semifinals, I was going to have a real conversation with my ex. But after hearing some hard truths, I didn't want to anymore. I've tried so hard to avoid him and his first love, but they won't leave me alone."
"His first love deliberately caused a scene at my celebration party. She not only wanted to ruin my family's reputation but also make sure everyone saw her relationship with my ex. To become the lady of the Percy family, she's schemed against me repeatedly—stealing my lead role, copying my choreography. And now she's staged this massive production."
A bitter smile crosses my face, followed by tears I quickly wipe away.
"Later, when I refused to apologize, that first love threw a wrist-cutting tantrum. Tonight, my ex dragged me back to that villa by force, planning to lock me up. His first love even wore my pajamas to taunt me."
"And I'm such an idiot—I knew she had bad intentions, but I still fell for it. Created another scene."
I ramble on and on.
Leo takes some time to process it all.
"Lucinda... so you still haven't let him go, have you?"
I take a deep breath, tilting my head back to swipe at the tears in my eyes.
"Ten years together—it's not that easy to just give up. But I should. I feel like my heart's dying."
"You've been wronged. Why didn't you tell him?"
I prop my head up wearily. "What good would it do? As long as his precious first love sheds a few tears and makes a scene, he'll excuse any wrongdoing."
"Have you considered that maybe he doesn't believe you because you did something that hurt him?"
"I don't know." I shake my head helplessly.
"How can you not know?" Leo doesn't buy it.
I feel like he's accusing me. I break down instantly.
"He never told me—how would I know?"
"He's the one who called off the engagement. He betrayed our relationship. He's clearly in the wrong—why are you forcing me to answer this question?"
"I hate you. Why do you keep pressuring me just like him?"
Leo's face pales slightly, though he restrains himself.
"I'm just presenting a possibility. Think about it more carefully."
"I don't want to think about it." I clutch my head. "He's the one who said we should go our separate ways. He's the one who called me promiscuous, said I was bad luck, that I wasn't worthy of being his wife. What else can I do?"
Leo suddenly grabs me. "Who told you that he said those things?"