Two silhouettes peered through the large window. Their eyes were glued towards the Main Garden - the place where Aiken and Blare were currently at.

"... Her attitude clearly changed." The woman mumbled as her brow raised.

"Ava, it doesn't change the fact that she's ruined. Even if she changed, her shameful past will still hunt everyone around her." The man rested his chin on his knuckles and stared indifferently at the woman.

The woman, Avalynn scoffed at the man's words. "I know that. Why did you think I told our son to get away from that girl?"

The man simply closed his eyes and did not answer. Even so, Avalynn continued talking. "Al, surely you've heard about Comperio. In just a week, it garnered a lot of attention... Do you think a mere, delusional girl like her would come up with that idea?"

The man, Aldrich was exasperated as he straightens up his sitting posture. "She built that little cafe shop or whatever for two years. In those two years, that girl never bothered our son yet he kept coming to her like some obsessed ex!"

"He didn't see that girl for a year." Avalynn reasoned.

"Yet he had people watched over her. That son of yours minimized his movement and focused buying the company's shares to take over-- and after that?! He broke his engagement to Clara!" Aldrich replied with gritted teeth.

Hearing her husband's anger, Avalynn stopped talking and simply turned her attention to Blare and Aiken. Her eyes darkened as she stared intently at Blare's every action.

Meanwhile, Blare calmly drank jasmine tea in a poised manner. She did not bother to look at Aiken. Right now, she was visualizing what the scenery of the Main Garden would look like inside the music room.

Her train of thought was cut off when Aiken spoke. "Do you like this place?"

Blare slightly smiled. "It's great"

She stared at Aiken's expression and it was completely different from Lilith's past.

His past scornful gaze was now staring lovingly at her. His creased brows were now soft and the rare smile he only showed Clara was now directed at her.

Strangely enough, seeing his changes brought pain in her heart.

Blare looked down - avoiding his loving gaze. "What do you want to talk about, Aiken?"

Hearing her indifferent tone, Aiken's smile faded as his eyes turned solemn. "Is there... no chance?"

Blare was surprised at his question. 'He still wants to be with Lilith?'

Thinking about Clara's sincere feeling for the man, Blare saw Aiken as a heartless man. "What happened between you and Clara?"

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Aiken was stunned at her hostile look. He immediately replied, "I broke our engagement."

Blare sighed in disbelief. "Don't you love her?"

She wanted to ask if Clara was pregnant but quickly dismissed it - for the fear of appearing suspicious.

"You're the only one that I love, Lilith. The first time we met and up until now."

Hearing the identical words he declared during his interview. Blare - again - felt her heart pained.

Did Lilith truly love Aiken?

Blare avoided his gaze and thought. 'No. Lilith wanted Aiken because he's the only one that gave him the affection she never got.'

Blare sadly smiled. 'Isn't that right, Lilith?'

As she asked this question, she felt the immense guilt crawling out of her chest.

She breathes and forced several words out of her mouth. "I approached you with impure intentions... You - who was admired and loved by many is what I wish to have."

Blare forced herself to look at Aiken. "But I never actually thought you would let me experience what love is. Yet, I only wanted you because you're the only one who truly cared for me."

With furrowed brows and guilty eyes, she answered his last question. "I'm sorry, Aiken. We have no chance together. What I felt for you is not love."

Blare let out all Lilith's guilt. "I only took advantage of your feelings so I can satisfy what I don't have... So, you deserve better."

Blare did not feel more miserable as she expected. Rather, it felt like the guilt that was buried deep inside her suddenly lessened. It felt good confessing the truth.

Aiken's low chuckle stunned Blare.

"I don't really care if you chose me because of that. We all have our reasons for loving someone... and that's your reason."

Blare was dumbfounded. 'He doesn't mind what Lilith did?'

"Still, I didn't actually think you'll still reject me." Aiken smiled mockingly but it was not directed at her.

He continued while directly looking at Blare's calm eyes. "I thought I could have you once I acquired power... Now, I realized that I should have acquired you first before power. If that happened, you would have loved me truthfully and we wouldn't be in this situation."

Blare silently agreed with him. In this world, power is important to get what you want. Especially when Aiken belonged to the upper-class family. He and Lilith were also not compatible in the first place. Aiken is a legitimate child and the heir of the Sapphire Conglomerate. On the other hand, Lilith is an illegitimate child with no right to inherit anything. Moreover, Aiken was chained by his parent's wishes while Lilith had no place in the Winterburn family. Both of them were powerless.

He chuckled but the happiness did not reach his eyes. "I hope you'll be happy with Ace."

Blare did not take his words into her heart. She doesn't plan to explain anything to him as well, so she nodded and said, "Goodbye, Aiken. I wish you'll be happy with Clara too."

Aiken froze. He became speechless so he only nodded in response. With that, Blare left the Charleston Estate.

As he saw her departing figure, Aiken felt empty. Learning that the woman he loves didn't love him back - hurt him more than he ever wanted to admit.

He thought about the last time he kissed her. At that time, he was already aware of how much she changed. Yet, he refused to believe that she will stay indifferent to him.

For a prideful man like Aiken, he persisted on "courting" her even if he was always ignored. Blare never took a glance on him, so she never noticed his various gifts - such as flowers, chocolates, and glorious dresses. All of those gifts were disregarded.

Aiken never had the chance to left it at her apartment door or to the landlady either. For some reason he did not know, the landlady also ignored him and refused to let any of his gifts reach Blare's apartment.

He only reached Blare's apartment once because of Ace. Thinking about that day, Aiken frowned - recalling Ace's absurd declaration.

"What are you to Lilith?"

Aiken asked as both of them stood outside Blare's apartment.

Ace lips curved up and glanced at him. "Her most important person."

Aiken glared at the man, while Ace returned to his usual expressionless face.