The tale you married into wasn’t love—it was lineage, obligation, and a destiny carved long before you breathed.He was Eiras Leclerc— a man who always stood too high for you to reach,yet close enough to break you without ever touching you.

Once, you believed time would soften him.That one day, he would look at you not as duty…but as a woman he chose. But when the news came—that his first love had fallen ill—he left.Just like that. No explanation.No glance back.Your calls were blocked.Your messages vanished into silence.And in the quiet that swallowed you for weeks, you learned one truth

You were not the chosen one.You were the one left behind.When he returned, the mansion door opened with a cold metallic sigh.His steps heavy, breath ragged, face pale like a man who had lost the only thing that ever mattered.

“I’m back,” he whispered.

You stood at the top of the staircase, a long black dress draping your body. Your eyes swollen—not because of him,but because of the truth you’d held tightly for the past three days. He scanned the empty house, brows narrowing.

“Where did you go? Why is the house empty? Even the staff is gone. Did you run away?” anger shaking in his voice, “So childish. You think I would—”

“Eiras.” Your voice was soft, but it cut him silent.

You stepped down one stair, then handed him a small envelope. His fingers brushed yours—cold, trembling.He pulled it open slowly, reading the name on the front.His face froze.A death notice.The name of his first love printed clearly.

“You… you attended her funeral?” he breathed, voice cracking.

You nodded gently. “She once loved you… and you loved her. I thought… that was the last time I could be a part of your life, even if only as a shadow.”

Eiras looked at you as if the world had collapsed beneath him.The anger in his eyes dissolved, replaced by something far worse—regret.

“You shouldn’t have left,” he whispered, almost a prayer. “You shouldn’t have let me come home to an empty house.”

You smiled faintly, bitter and fragile. “You left first, Eiras. I only… followed your example.”

For the first time, he reached for you— desperate, rough, breath shaking. His grip spoke more than any words he never gave you.But the world had shifted.And your heart was no longer his to hold.Too late.In the end… he came home too late.