Joshua admitted, "Yes, I was deceived."


    Ste let out a silent sigh. "Now that you know the truth, are you disappointed?"


    Joshua replied, "Honestly, I realized she wasn''t the real one a long time ago.


    But back then, my insomnia had gotten really bad.


    I just wanted to find her, to see if hearing her y might help me sleep."


    As for the whole "lifesaver" thing....


    A wry smile tugged at Joshua''s lips, the darkness hiding the bitterness in his expression.


    A man like him—how could he possibly devote himself to someone just because of a melody? The story of a ''lifesaver'' was nothing more than a convenient narrative for outsiders. It made him seem a little more human, a little less cold.


    Ste seemed to sense what he was getting at. "So, you clung to the idea of her because you needed something-or someone-to believe in? So you let yourself pretend she was real?"


    Joshua said, "I figured, if she could keep up the act forever, then maybe she deserved it. But she really wasn''t that clever.


    To me, that person could mean everything-or nothing at all."


    Ste nodded, understanding perfectly. There was no surprise or confusion on her face, which caught Joshua off guard.


    He asked, "Really? You don''t find that strange?"


    Ste replied, "Not at all. It makes sense."


    Joshua pressed, "Why?"


    Ste exined, "Her music pulled you back from the edge, so in a way, she did save your life. But if you


    think about it, she didn''t really d


    anything for you, specifically. Even when she yed the violin, it wasn''t just for you.


    Take Rachel, for example-when she saved Jasper, she risked her own life and cared for him day and night. But with this girl, she just happened to y a piece in the garden, and how it''s called ''saving your life''? If were her, I''d feel embarrassed.


    At best, it''s thoughtless. At worst, it''s shameless."


    Joshua hadn''t expected such candor from her. He asked without thinking, "If you


    were in her shoes, what would you do?"


    Ste answered, "If it were me, I''d ept your thanks, but that''s it. There''s a saying-gratitude as heavy as a mountain. But if I honestly did nothing, just happened to be there, I wouldn''t want to carry that burden. I don''t like being saddled with a debt I never meant to create."


    Joshua said, “But haven''t you thought about what you could gain from holding onto that gratitude?"


    Ste shook her head. "Getting something by leveraging someone''s gratitude? That''s not much different from emotional ckmail.


    I believe that when people help others, it shoulde from kindness, not because they expect something in return."


    Joshua''s voice was quiet. "So, if it were you, you wouldn''t ask for anything?" Ste''s answer was firm. "It''s not just that this was a coincidence—even if I''d helped you on purpose, I still wouldn''t ask for anything in return.


    That doesn''t mean I''m some saint willing to save everyone. I have the right to choose not to help-but if I decide to help, I won''t demand repayment."


    Joshua fell silent, lost in thought for a long time.


    Ste assumed he was feeling down because of the deception. After a moment''s pause, she said, "Joshua, the fact that you can talk about this means your memory''sing back.


    Why don''t you take a break? Give yourself time to rx and sort things out. Whatever you decide to do next, I''ll support you."