Irvin shouldn't have done that for me. We had already gone our separate ways. There was nothing left between us.
He should be living his life. He deserved to live a good life.
That was what I had always wanted. For Irvin to live well.
No matter what happened, I wanted the man in my memory—the one who shone like sunlight and brought life to everyone around him—to always live on like that.
I really, truly hoped for that.
As Irvin collapsed again from another gunshot, he stared in the direction William had carried me. He stared for as long as he could.
William was willing to risk his life for me, so he would surely treat me well and give me the greatest happiness. There was nothing left for Irvin to worry about and hold onto anymore.
There was only regret.
He felt bad that he wouldn't get to see me happier.
He wouldn't get to see me marry William. He wouldn't get to see me safely bring the babies into the world.
William and I were just a few miles away from Solmera when we were attacked. If our force hadn't been destroyed, we would have only needed a few more minutes to reach safety.,
But our whole force was wiped out before we could make it.
And Irvin, who rushed in to save us, had also fallen.
Only William was left, holding me tightly, running with all his might through the thick tropical jungle toward the Solmera.
Not long after we left, Timothy arrived with his men. He saw Irvin lying on the ground, but there was no trace of William or me.
What he wanted was for both of us to die there. The fact that I was alive and had fled meant he had failed.
He furiously kicked Irvin's body hard. "Fuck! You lovesick fool! You truly deserve to die!"
Simon looked at Irvin, lying there covered in blood, and clicked his tongue. He couldn't understand how the twins could be so drastically different.
Even if I had let go of Irvin completely and didn't want to be with him anymore, even if I was ready to marry William, he knew that deep in my heart, I would still wish for Irvin to be well.
He knew that no matter what, in that kind of situation, I would never leave Irvin behind.
William knew that knocking me out and taking me away were completely against my wishes. Even if that was the best decision for him and for all of us.
But still, he did it anyway.
I looked at William quietly. I knew I couldn't blame him, and I had no right to.
He had done what he had to do, and I shouldn't blame him. I could only blame myself.
I was the reason for everything that had happened.
All of it was my fault.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Love You Like I Used To Forget It (Millie Bridge)