Chapter 108


    Chapter 108 Self–Constion


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    As Cyril returned to the venue, Sylvia was just emerging from the crowd, apparently about to leave.


    Her chauffeur had already opened the car door for her, waiting for her to get in. After a brief pause


    and a nce at Cyril, Sylvia resolutely settled into the vehicle.


    “Wait a second,” Cyril called out, drawing on an unknown reserve of strength. Sylvia stopped, aware


    that Cyril hade looking for her and that he must have something to discuss. Rather than drag


    things out, she decided it would be better to address whatever was on his mid at once.


    “You wait outside,” Sylvia instructed her driver, shutting the door and preparing to face Cyril.


    Cyril hurried over, questions flooding his thoughts. He wanted to ask Sylvia why she had hidden her


    true self, why she hadn’t revealed the reality behind their past, and why she never spoke up about


    the injustices she faced–could it be that one word from her could have saved their marriage?


    “Do you have something to say? If so, please be quick about it–I have a conference to get to soon.”


    Sylvia nced at the time, reminding Cyril of her tight schedule.


    Cyril, who had mentally rehearsed a litany of questions, suddenly found himself speechless.


    Despite


    having convinced himself that a simple misunderstanding had clouded their rtionship, confronting


    Sylvia’s brisk demeanor made him realize there had never been any substantial conflicts or


    confusion to


    unravel between them. Any misunderstandings were his alone, born from a failure to see the truth.


    “We’ve been married for years. Why didn’t you ever reveal your identity? If you had, maybe things


    wouldn’t


    have ended up like this.”


    Sylvia’s initial reaction was stunned silence, but then she burst into a mockingugh, her eyes filled


    with


    both derision and irritation.


    “Mr. Cyril, you’re mistaken about one thing. I never intentionally hid my identity. My only aim was to


    keep our rtionship untainted. It seems, however, that you have persistently overlooked me; had


    you paid


    attention, you might have seen the truth.”


    In all her years married to Cyril, Sylvia had never actively concealed her background. She believed


    that as


    husband and wife, Cyril would inevitably learn of her true status. So what was the point in hiding it?


    With that realization, any notion of reconciliation faded. Sylvia had long epted her feelings for


    Cyril


    and her decision to move on–a decision that now struck her as a mere self–constion, a


    realization


    that Cyril was only now beginning to grapple with himself.


    If only Cyril had been more observant, more willing to notice, he would have seen the truth. But it


    was clear to Sylvia that she had overthought things–Cyril had never truly cared for her, so her


    identity,


    whether revealed or concealed, would have made no difference in the end.


    “You know what your actions right now resemble? They’re like a form of self–deception,” Sylvia


    retorted. ” You speak ofpensating me, but have you ever asked if I wantpensation? You


    say you owe me, yet from start to finish, you’ve never acknowledged your mistakes. Your supposed


    debt is nothing but an. excuse for yourself. I don’t think there’s anything left to discuss


    between us.”


    Chapte 108 Sell Constion


    Sylvia understood the real reason behind Cyril’s visit: his attempts at reconciliation were self–


    serving, spurred by a bted realization of the truth. But what could he rectify now? Had he been


    aware and willing to address the matters from the beginning, why would there be a need for such


    dramatic acts of


    contrition now?


    “I’m sorry for my debts to you over the years. I never intended for us to divorce. Marriage is for life,


    and since the day we wed, I never thought about ending it. If we had only been honest with each


    other…”


    “Enough,” Sylvia cut him short. “If you wanted honesty, why didn’t you ever tell me about your


    rtionship with Katrina? Maybe if you had, none of this would have happened.


    Sylvia interrupted him, her voice firm and her face nk with disbelief at the absurdity of his words.


    ording to him, he could do no wrong, which onlypounded the injustice she suffered over the


    years.


    “Today’s party must have made it clear to you; everyone thought you were out of your league with


    me, and they were right. I will act as if I never heard what you just said. From now on, let’s act as if


    we don’t know each other. I won’t waste any more time on you or get entangled in any way,” Sylvia


    dered, resolute in


    her decision.


    She wanted nothing more to do with Cyril, fearing that any further engagement would only lead to


    her own suffering. Cyril, pale–faced and stunned, hadn’t expected such a definitive rejection from


    Sylvia.


    “After today, make sure you keep your people in line. Don’t let them make a scene in front of me


    again,” Sylvia instructed coldly. “I put up with a lot in the past, and I’ve done nothing today only out


    of respect for what little we once shared. But if you push me, we are nothing.”


    Sylvia’s final words hung heavy as she stepped into the car without looking back at Cyril. Her


    resolve was clear; she no longer wished to be part of his life. Cyril watched her drive away, a


    sensation of loss overwhelming the hurt inside. In the end, it was he who owed Sylvia.


    Unfortunately for him, Sylvia was no longer willing to speak more than necessary, and his efforts


    today only served to sever theirst ties. Whatever bond they had was now broken, all because he


    failed to see the missteps that had led them to this moment.