“I understand you must be curious. Since Sirius didn’t restrict my freedom and even let Azalea keep me company, I could’ve escaped again by threatening to harm her. However, I didn’t want to do that because I wasn’t willing to put her in a tight spot again.
Please don’t read too much into it. I just didn’t want to owe her another favor. After she released me six years ago, Sirius almost hit her to death. She was confined to a dark room for three months. If not for the fact that Hayes bestowed the title ‘Princess Azalea’ on her and forgave Sirius for the insurgency, she would’ve lost her life.”
After a brief silence, Eugene continued, “Therefore, I could never threaten her to run away again. She’s saved my life before, so I can never do enough to repay her favor. There’s no reason for me to say no since it was her birthday. Moreover, I knew Hayes would be attending the party, so I’d rather let Hayes take me away than make things difficult for her. I didn’t know you were worried about me. You even came to Nambahd in a hurry to save me. I’m sorry, Olivia. From now on, I’ll tell you everything. Please don’t get mad at me.”
Olivia listlessly leaned against the chair. She knew that Eugene must have left out a lot of details as it was only a simplified version of the whole story.
He and Azalea had spent over ten days together, so it was unlikely they did not develop any feelings for each other. They did not end up getting together because they were on opposing sides.
“Why didn’t you choose to work with Sirius?” she asked. Eugene took a deep breath and explained, “I already agreed to help Hayes. Moreover, he was already on the winning side at that time, so I couldn’t possibly side with Sirius.”
Olivia said matter-of-factly, “So, you didn’t end up together with Azalea for that reason.” He hurriedly denied it by saying, “No, no, no. We were never meant to be together.”
She thought she was calm and collected, but her words still sounded like she was jealous. “It’s no wonder Azalea’s gaze is filled with love and longing whenever she looks at you. I heard she has never fallen in love with anyone else. She must be waiting for you.”
He took her hands and said anxiously, “Please don’t get it wrong, Olivia. I didn’t dare to tell you the truth because I was worried you’d read too much into it. There’s nothing between me and Azalea. She’s a well-mannered woman who knows her boundaries. She will never do anything to put me in a tight spot.”
Olivia drew a breath, realizing that she had overestimated herself. She kept making Eugene tell her the truth, but the truth turned out to be hurtful.
He just said Azalea is a well-mannered woman who knows her boundaries. She will never do anything that will put him in a tight spot. I can’t believe he thinks so highly of the woman!
She found it hard to accept the man’s compliment for Azalea. It was worse than praising the woman as gentle, beautiful, or sexy. Instead, he practically said that since ther woman knew her place, he would always feel guilty and sorry for her. There was never a second in his life that he did not want to make it up to her.
On the other hand, Olivia was the unreasonable one who kept making a scene. She did not get struck to death or was confined to a dark room for three months, nor did she contribute to anything. However, she returned to the country. in a fury because of some suspicion, as though she had suffered terrible grievances.
Compared to what Azalea had done, Olivia’s emotions were irrational. She could not state clearly what her feelings were. At that moment, she felt regretful and aggrieved.
Eugene went on to say, “This time, she told me I could escape by threatening to kill her, but I didn’t do it. First of all, I knew Sirius didn’t dare to harm me. Secondly, I wanted to make it up to: Azalea. When we left the police station the other day, you must’ve heard the series of gunshots. I selfishly hoped that those people were there to kill her. That way, I could save her life, and we would be even. Please don’t get me wrong, Olivia. I owe her a favor. That’s it. I don’t love her. I never did, and now that I have you, there’s no way I’ll fall in love with her.”
