Epilogue (From the Male Lead’s Perspective)

Epilogue (From the Male Lead’s Perspective)

Sophia, when did you get sick?

I don’t know. As your husband, I never noticed—not even when you were so seriously ill. It wasn’t that you hid it well. It was that my heart was somewhere else...

If I’d noticed earlier, would you still be here?

On countless sleepless nights, I ask myself that.

That night you suddenly coughed, out of nowhere—I wish it had been just a cold, like you said. Later, you grew weaker and weaker, your face always pale, your eyes tired. I never suspected a thing.

The day you packed your bags to leave, I almost asked—almost asked if you were sick. But then you mentioned another man. Jealousy clouded my mind, and all I could say was cruel things. You were already in pain then. How much more hurt did my words cause?

Since I met Luna again, I’ve lost count of how many harsh things I said to you. Guided by Luna, I hurt you, pushed you away—again and again.

You must have gone from heartbroken to numb, haven’t you?

Sophia, after you left, I finally realized how wrong I was. Luna had changed—she wasn’t the kind, innocent girl I’d known as a child. I’d been fooled by her act, obsessed with repaying a debt I thought I owed her. All she cared about was money. She had no skills, yet she insisted on using my connections to get a job at the company. How could the company afford to keep someone like that?

Whenever she faced a problem she couldn’t solve, she’d just cry and run to me for help. She was nothing like you. You’d always handled your troubles quietly, never mentioning how hard it had been. When the company was struggling, you’d stepped up without a word. You never played the weak woman, never clung to me.

It was all my fault. I was selfish, desperate to prove myself. I wanted you to be more dependent on me, to feed my male vanity. I wanted to show everyone I’d made it on my own—not because of you. So I distanced myself from you, ignored you.

With Luna, I’d found comfort. I’d acted like a fool, doting on her. I’d gotten lost in the admiration in her eyes, doing so many things that hurt you.

But I forgot why I’d fallen in love with you in the first place. I’d loved your kindness, your confidence, your strength. But once I had you, I’d started to resent those qualities.

After you left, I couldn’t stop thinking about our college days—as if the happiest moments of my life had been there. Back then, we’d been the couple everyone admired. I’d promised to love you forever.

Why didn’t I keep that promise?

I’d thought marriage would be the start of our happy life. I never imagined it would end like this...

Sophia, I kicked Luna and Leo out of our house. You didn’t like them, so I sent them far away—so you’d never have to be upset by them again.

So when will you come back to see me?

I’ve been good lately. Since I got back to China, I’ve worked day and night, making tough decisions to take the company to new heights. That’s what you’d always wanted, isn’t it?

I moved out of my old office and into yours. I eat and sleep at the company now—I can’t bear to go back to that empty house. Sometimes I do go back, though. The house is dark, no lights on. You’re not there to reheat my food and wait for me to come home.

I sleep in the guest room you used to use, holding your clothes, staring at the ceiling all night. I’ve grown quieter, more withdrawn. When I miss you, I remember my promise to you and call my mother. Every time I work up the courage to speak, she shuts me down with a cold voice.

"You don’t deserve to mention Sophia’s name."

She’s right. Everyone else can talk about you, miss you—but not me. I’ll never forget how we ended, never forget the pain I caused you. I’ll live with this guilt for the rest of my life. It’s the least I deserve.

Will that make you happy?

No—this is all my fault. I brought this on myself.

Sophia, I don’t dare come see you yet. I haven’t kept the promises I made to you. How can I face you when I haven’t finished what you asked?

When I’ve done everything, then I’ll come.

You must not want to meet me in the next life.

But I still want to meet you. I won’t be the leading man in your life—I don’t deserve that. I just want to stand far away, watching you, protecting you. I want to see you get married, have children, have a happy family.

As long as you’re happy—that’s enough.