Chapter 39

"So, Mama was really my mother's friend? But why..." Alden started to ask.

"Why is Alden older than you, even though Mama and your mother are the same age? It's because Mama got married to Alden's father right after high school, while your mother didn't. She continued her studies," Luna quickly interrupted before Alice could finish her question.

"So, that's what happened?" Alden mumbled, raising his head to hold back the tears welling up in his eyes. He never expected his mother to be involved to this extent. Interfering with Chloe in the final days before their wedding.

Alden felt guilty for what his mother did to Chloe, causing her condition to worsen because of those demands.

Alden also remembered Chloe's words that night – she was his reason to keep going and to breathe. But all of it was gone after the wedding.

"I'm sorry I couldn't fight against what you and Mama said. It's not because I don't care about your feelings, but I'm just an outsider who has no