Chapter 298 Despair
“Sylvia!”
William burst onto the rooftop, breath hitching when he saw Sylvia and Esme near the edge together. His pulse hammered, but he forced his voice to stay level.
“Whatever’s going on, we can talk about it. Just step away from the edge, okay?” he said in a soft voice.
Sylvia met his gaze, and William’s stomach twisted. He had seen that look before–on her eighteenth birthday when he had taken leave from the military just to celebrate her birthday.
That felt like a lifetime ago.
They weren’t the same kids who used to run around hand in hand anymore. That version of them had
disappeared a long time ago.
“William, everything’s fine,” Esme said, her voice raw, like she had been crying. “I’m just catching up with
Sylvia.”
“Yeah… Just catching up,” Sylvia murmured, forcing a faint smile. But even as she did, a tear slipped down her cheek. There was sorrow in her voice, in the way she looked at William–like she knew the gap between them
had stretched too far, too wide to cross.
“We used to talk about everything.” Sylvia’s voice was low as she spoke to Esme. “Esme, do you ever wonder… What if I were your daughter? If I were, then William would have only ever been my brother. I never would have fallen for him. And maybe then, he would have always been so good to me…”
Esme’s breath caught. “Sylvia, I’ve always loved you like you were my daughter. Believe me!”
Sylvia let out a hollow laugh. “Is that so? Even after you found out about the car accident–the one I planned? The one that almost killed Felix, your grandson? Did you never resent me, not even a little?”
Her voice shook, but her gaze didn’t waver.
Esme’s face went pale. That car accident…
Just thinking about it sent a sharp ache through her chest.
Felix, her grandson, had almost gotten killed because of that. His sweet, innocent face flickered in her mind, so vivid that it nearly stole her breath.
The emotions hit her all over again. She had been seconds away from running him over. Her chest tightened. Her legs threatened to give out.
When Esme stayed silent, Sylvia let out a bitter laugh and said, “I loved William too much. I was terrified of losing him. I tried to be happy for him and Renee; I really did. But I couldn’t do it. Every time I saw Renee getting closer to him, jealousy ate me alive.”
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Her voice wavered, but she continued talking, “I’ve hated Renee since we were kids. And somehow, the person I resent the most ended up with the person I love the most. What was I supposed to do? Just stand by and
watch?”
She shook her head. “I felt like I had no choice. I had to push her out of his life–no matter what it took. Then maybe he would come back to me. Maybe things could go back to how they used to be… when I was the only
one he cared about.”
Esme crumpled to the ground, burying her face in her hands as sobs tore through her. She had finally broken
down.
“Esme… Thank you. For everything.” Sylvia’s voice was low, almost fragile.
William’s breath caught. “Sylvia, don’t–please! Just don’t do anything rash.” His voice wavered, thick with fear.
“We can talk about this…”
Esme’s head snapped up, eyes wide with horror. Sylvia was backing up, inching closer to the edge now. A strangled gasp escaped Esme as she clamped a hand over her mouth, terrified any sound might push Sylvia
further.
“No… Don’t do this…” The words barely made it past Esme’s lips.
William inched forward, every step heavy with fear. He had once loved her like a sister–how had they ended up here?
“Sylvia, please. Don’t do this. Just take my hand.” His voice was gentle but desperate as he stretched out his
hand.
Sylvia met his gaze, her eyes filled with quiet, unwavering determination. “This is what I deserve.” A faint, bittersweet smile crossed her lips. “Goodbye, William.”
The wind howled against the rooftop, whipping around them.
Sylvia’s eyes fluttered shut. The moment her body tipped backward, William lunged at her with everything he
had to stop her.
But he was too late. His fingertips barely grazed hers before she slipped beyond his reach.
Something inside him shattered. A raw, gut–wrenching scream tore from his throat.
Nearby, Esme collapsed at the rooftop’s edge, trembling. She couldn’t look down. Her mind refused to accept what had just happened, trapping her in a haze of shock and disbelief.
