Dorian''s heart felt as if it had been pierced by L''s indifference. A deep panic from the fear of losing something irreceable overwhelmed him.


    He fumbled and wiped his trembling hands on his pants before pulling out the shattered charm from his pocket. It was broken into pieces.


    Dorian''s eyes flickered. His expression was like a child caught doing something wrong, and he said with uncertainty, "I know... I know you''re disappointed in me, but I''ve never wanted to break up with you. It doesn''t matter that the charm is shattered. Let''s get a new one, okay?"


    His voice was low as if holding back an overwhelming depth of emotion. He was clearly trying to contain his desperation so that he wouldn''t frighten her.


    When he noticed her frowning, he hurriedly exined in an anxious tone, "I-I''m not telling you to go up Mount Shasta again. I''ll do it. Let me do it, alright?"


    He raised his left wrist. "Look, I even got a new sandalwood bracelet."


    L''s gaze fell on the in, simple bracelet devoid of the primrose patterns she''d carved herself. Unlike the one she''d painstakingly gotten him, it was just an ordinary piece.


    "I know it''s not the same as the old bracelet, but I couldn''t get it done today. I''ll learn to carve the primrose patterns tomorrow, and I promise it''ll look exactly the same."


    He pulled out the bead he''d picked up from the hospital room and carefully held it up to her. "I promise it''ll be exactly the same."


    He stood there like a pitiful and helpless child who''d done something unforgivable. There was a desperate look in his eyes.


    L''s hands hung by her side and clenched slightly. She wanted to tell him that it''d never be the same.


    "And this..." Dorian''s anxious gaze darted over her face to read her expression. His nervousness only made him clumsier as he fumbled a few times before managing to pull out a ring box.


    His hands were shaking so badly that he dropped it.


    His eyes reddened with frustration as he bent down to pick it up, but his


    movements were stiff and awkward due to the pain in his legs.


    He stepped forward before stopping again. "You like cleanliness, and I''m not exactly clean right now."


    His hands cradled the box, and his shoulders were hunched as if bearing a weight too heavy to bear.


    "Dorian, I''ve made it clear that you don''t need to do this," L said with a frown.


    But Dorian didn''t seem to hear her and muttered as if lost in his own world, "I-I should''ve taken a shower and changed beforeing. This setting isn''t good enough for you.


    "But I couldn''t wait, L. I couldn''t wait to tell you that I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."


    He got down on one knee and held the ring box toward her. "L, will you marry me?"


    L lowered her eyes to the pair of beautiful, expensive rings in the box. This was the moment she''d once longed for more than anything during thesest five years.


    But fate seemed to be ying a cruel joke on her.


    Seeing that she remained silent, Dorian lowered his head and knelt closer to her. He reached out to hold her hand and gently rested his forehead against her hand like he''d done in the ward.


    At this moment, he''d shed all his pride to plea with the woman who''d once loved him more than anything else with raw sincerity.


    The warmth of his tears touched her palm. L lifted her gaze so she wouldn''t look at him.


    Dorian was in a way a mighty tree she''d nurtured herself. They''d once stood side by side and shared the same light and space. She''d given him all the nourishment she had so he''d grow tall and sturdy.


    Yet he had forgotten the reason for his rapid growth. He''d grown into someone so unfamiliar with fame and poprity.


    L had been so in love that she''d barely noticed his changes. The bright free- spirited boy she''d loved had be an arrogant self-centered man.


    She closed her eyes. "Dorian-"


    Still kneeling on the ground, Dorian panicked and cut her off. "L, I know I haven''t treated you well these past two years. I wasn''t attentive enough, and that''s why you were disappointed.


    "You said you don''t love me anymore, but I don''t believe it. I won''t force you, but I''ll try to win you over again. I''ll protect and love you just like I did in the beginning. Please love me once more, L."


    He looked up at her with an almost pleading gaze, stubbornly refusing to turn away.


    L took a deep breath before looking down at him. It felt like their roles had reversed.


    Now, she was standing above him, while he knelt below.