Chapter 15

Luca cut Elene off in a slightly trembling voice. "From now on, don't ever contact me again." "Luca!" Elene lunged at him and gripped the sleeve of his suit tightly. Tears spilled out without warning, scalding as they hit his sleeve. "Don't go! I was wrong! I really know I was wrong!" Luca's steps faltered, but he didn't turn around. All of a sudden, he remembered how she had been long ago. Back then, her eyes had seemed to hold starlight. She had been the one ready to stand by him when he was at his lowest, the untainted, genuine presence in his heart, but now, he realized that he had been wrong. Completely wrong. "I just… I was too scared." Her voice choked, and her fingers turned pale from gripping him too tightly. "I was afraid you'd be taken by Lorraine. When I heard you married her, I got even more scared. "Luca, please forgive me this once… just this once…" He slowly turned to face her, his gaze falling on her tear-streaked face. He stared at her silently for so long tha