Aiken was quiet for a moment. He knew Clara's growing feelings for him, but he cannot reciprocate her feelings.

When the person that likes you bravely let you go and find your happiness, what would you feel?

For Aiken, he felt immense guilt. Although he had not led her into the relationship, the interactions that they had for the past two years made them closer.

But it has been ingrained on their minds that their relationship was arranged to gain benefits on both sides.

Because of this, Aiken guarded his heart. While the other fails to shield hers.

Moreover, he never paid attention to Clara for months because he was busy thinking about Lilith. But hearing her words of encouragement made him all the more, guilty.

"I'm sorry" his voice was low as if he doesn't know how to repay her. He looked away from Clara and turned her attention to Blare who was laughing.

Clara's eyes turned teary. She quickly looked away and excused herself to the bathroom.

After reaching the bathroom, she occupied one of the cubicles. She sat on the closed lid of the toilet and cried silently.

She had fallen for Aiken Charleston. It was an arranged engagement between the two families. But gradually, Clara started to slowly fall for Aiken's charm.

The man was kind to her and always protected her from Lilith's schemes. Clara was moved, then foolishly let herself fall deeper to the man that she thought was hers.

But Clara was awoken when Lilith was slapped by Aiken for the first time. It wasn't seen in his actions, but Clara can see the depth of his eyes. There, she saw Aiken's conflicted feelings and pain as he harms the woman he loves.

It pained Clara but she remained silent.

At that time, both Clara and Aiken had no choice in the engagement. They'll be reprimanded if they refused it. Tied by their family's ambition, there was nothing they could do about it.

She only spoke now and motivated him because Clara knew that Aiken has the chance to break the engagement. Clara had witnessed how Aiken became a workaholic for the past few months. Because of this, Aiken not only handled the Emerald Corporation, he dealt with other companies as well. The firms that he's handling was prospering slowly, but it is estimated that it will gain more profit in the next few years.

Such performance greatly pleases the stockholders, especially Aiken's father. However, it was only a matter of time and Aiken can completely subdue his family and break the engagement.

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On both paths, Clara had no choice but to submit.

Clara wiped her tears with a cloth and lowered her head as she heads out of the cubicle. She reached the sink and washed her face with water. But when she looked up, she saw Blare who parted her lips in shock.

Blare was also in the sink and was baffled to see the stress state of Clara Maiko. She stopped staring and mumbled "Sorry".

Blare was heading out of the bathroom but Clara's hoarse voice stop her, "Ms. Lilith"

Blare stood frozen, but she didn't look back.

"Give Aiken a chance... he loves you" Clara whispered, as another river of tears flowed in her eyes.

Hearing this, Blare turned around and stared at Clara who was sobbing. She suddenly thought about how the original events have changed so much.

'What made Aiken change his mind and pursue Lilith again? I haven't done anything... I only ignored--'

Her deep thought was cut off as realization hit her.

On Lilith's original life, a scene when Aiken had visited her in the Seaside Subdivision shows up. Lilith was so happy but also scared that he might leave. So she attempted to drug his drink. In the end, Aiken had seen her putting the drug and that's when he decided to fully cut whatever relationship they had.

Now that Blare occupies the body, this didn't happen because she moved out of the subdivision immediately and she would definitely not drugged Aiken if he visited.

In any case, Blare never thought about this because she buried this memory to give Lilith a sense of peace. She doesn't want Lilith to react negatively since it would also affect her.

On the other hand, it appears that being ignored made Aiken realized how much he loves Lilith. 

"Ms. Lilith?"

Blare glanced at Clara who was finally calm.

"I don't love him" 

Blare was so straightforward that she made Clara stunned.

"Ms. Clara, do you love him?" Blare abruptly asked.

Clara quickly opened her mouth to reply but closed it as if she doesn't want anyone to know her answer.

Blare helplessly sighed, "I won't force you to answer. But I wanted you to remember this Ms. Clara"

Both stared at each other's eyes. One was strict and the other was timid.

"I don't love Aiken Charleston"

"Really?" Clara inquired as relief became visible in her voice.

Blare didn't know whether to laugh or cry hearing her tone. 

'Women would surely be relieved when their enemy at love would surrender'

"Really" Blare replied sincerely.

Despite this, Clara was still doubtful, "Why?"

Because of this question, Blare had a debate in her mind.

'It was true that I don't love Aiken, but what about Lilith?'

'Although Aiken was treated as a rebound, there must be some lingering feelings that blossomed.'

Blare thought of the unanswered question she had a while ago,

'Most importantly, has Lilith truly love Aiken?'

If she does, Blare has no objections. After all, Blare does not own Lilith and she has the right to choose who to love. If Lilith was not so crazy about Aiken and genuinely loves him, then it's much better. 

Yet, Lilith had clung into Aiken desperately in her original life. Nevertheless, Blare understood that Lilith felt alone and wanted to cling on the only guy that showed her love.

Moreover, they have been together for 4 years, so Blare cannot really say that Lilith didn't love Aiken.

At this thought, Blare became speechless at Clara's question.

Blare had foolishly assumed based on her own emotions and didn't consider Lilith's feelings at all.