Chapter 16
Water streamed down his face, indistinguishable from tears. His body trembled slightly, as if bearing an
immense burden.
He knew he was betraying his mother, betraying his family, but he could no longer deceive himself.
For three days and nights, Nolan knelt before his mother’s grave without food or water, completely motionless.
Cemetery staff attempted to persuade him to leave, but he merely gave them a cold stare, his tone brooking no argument “GET OUT!”
The staff didn’t dare press further and could only watch from a distance, filled with confusion and
concern.
Finally, on the third day, the rain stopped.
Nolan slowly rose to his feet. His knees were numb from kneeling so long, but he seemed not to notice. He took one last look at his mother’s gravestone and whispered, “Mom, I’m sorry. In this lifetime, I’m going to fail you.”
With that, he turned and left the cemetery, his silhouette lonely and resolute.
Upon returning home, Nolan’s first act was to cancel the engagement. Both his father and Evangeline were stunned by the news.
“What did you say?” His father’s voice was filled with disbelief. “Cancel the engagement? Nolan, do you realize what you’re saying?”
Nolan’s face remained expressionless, his tone cold but determined “I said, cancel the engagement.”
Evangeline’s face drained of color. She clutched Nolan’s arm, her voice pleading“Nolan, why? Did I do something wrong? I promise I’ll never touch you without permission again. Please don’t cancel our
wedding…”
Nolan glanced at her, his tone tinged with regret “This has nothing to do with that.”
Evangeline’s tears spilled over as she asked tremulously“It’s Aurelia, isn’t it? You still can’t forget her, right?”
After a moment of silence, Nolan finally nodded“Yes.”
His father’s face turned ashen. He slammed his fist on the table, his voice filled with fury “Nolan! Have
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Eternal Pledge, Where Mountains Touch Sk
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Chapter 16
you forgotten she killed your mother? How can you still think of her?!”
Nolan’s fists clenched tightly, his nails digging into his palms.
His voice was hoarse and low“I haven’t forgotten. That’s why I went to my mother’s grave and knelt there
for three days and nights. But I’ve tried–I truly cannot ler her go.”
His father exploded with rage, snatching a belt from the table and cracking it across Nolan’s back. “You ungrateful bastard! I’m going to knock some goddamn sense into you if it’s the last thing I do!”
The caning struck Nolan repeatedly, quickly tearing through his clothes and leaving bloody welts across
his skin.
Yet he remained motionless, as if immune to the pain.
“Forget her!” His father’s voice was nearly hysterical.
Blood trickled from the corner of Nolan’s mouth, but his tone remained resolute “No!
“Forget her!” His father’s caning came down again.
Nolan’s body shuddered slightly, but his voice stayed steady “No! ”
“Forget her!” His father struck once more.
Nolan’s body finally gave way as he collapsed to his knees.
His back was a mess of torn flesh and blood, which dripped down his body and stained the floor.
Yet he still raised his head, looking determinedly at his father“I’m going to find her. In this life, I’ll keep her by my side even if I have to tie her down. In the next life,we can go to hell together. But in this life,
without her, I’ll die.”
His father’s hand trembled violently, the caning falling to the floor.
He swayed, seeming to age a decade in an instant. His voice carried absolute despair What a sin… what a
terrible sin…”
With those words, he collapsed to the ground.
“Dad!” Nolan leapt up, ignoring his injuries as he rushed to support his father. His voice was panicked“Call an ambulance! Now!”
Evangeline stood to the side, her face as white as paper.
She watched Nolan’s back, her eyes filled with despair and anguish. She knew that she would never
Chapter 16
again enter Nolan’s heart.
The ambulance arrived quickly, rushing his father to the hospital.
