Chapter 2048


    It wasn''t just because Rosalind had said she was nothing but a substitute in Lysander''s eyes.


    It was more because Thssa remembered, three years ago, overhearing Lysander mention how


    much she resembled a woman named Harper, especially the eyes, almost identical to Harper''s. And


    now, Rosalind was saying the same thing - she was just a stand-in for Harper in Lysander''s heart.


    Hearing that alone wouldn''t have hurt so much.


    The sting in her heart came when she saw a photo of Harper, with her clear, vibrant spirit, her bright


    smile, and those unblemished eyes that looked so much like her own. Thssa found herself


    frozen, staring at Harper''s name engraved on the tombstone. Rosalind, seeing the impact of her


    words, let out a slight chuckle before continuing, “You probably don’t know that Lysander lost his


    parents when he was young. Grandpa Zephyr took him under his wing, handing him over to my dad


    to mentor in business. Harper and Lysander were about the same age, and she too had a knack for


    business. They grew up together, learning and sharing ideas. My dad was Lysander’s mentor, and


    Harper was his childhoodpanion. You can’t understand the bond Lysander had with my sister.”


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    How could she not understand? Childhood friends, confidants, and thepanionship thates


    with growing up together – it was a special kind of bond. Such a rtionship seemed irreceable.


    Listening to Rosalind, a part of Thssa’s heart felt hollow, as if a piece of it had been carved out.


    She had always believed her rtionship with Lysander was pure love. Her heart was full of love,


    warm and fulfilling. But now, that love wasbeled as a mere substitute, and the fervent affection


    she felt was scooped out, leaving a painful void. Breathing became difficult for Thssa, weighed


    down by the heaviness in her heart.


    Rosalind, noticing the deep sadness in Thssa''s eyes, knew her words had hit their mark. If she


    couldn''t have Lysander, making Thssa miserable was a small victory. “Originally, my sister and


    Lysander were to be married. But as fate would have it, Harper died in a boating ident while out


    at sea. Lysander was devastated for a long time. He had left the military to focus on business, but


    after Harper’s death, he reenlisted, taking on incredibly dangerous missions, one of which led him to


    be ambushed and fall into a vige.”


    Rosalind detailed not just the story of Harper''s death and Lysander''s response but also the reason


    Lysander had met Thssa. Eight years ago, injured Lysander had fallen into their vige of


    Hollowbrook. By sheer coincidence, hended in the very barn where she was locked up. That was


    the beginning of her and Lysander''s story. She was trapped by Isabe''s schemes, and Lysander,


    grieving Harper''s loss, sought distraction in high-risk missions until he was injured and met her.


    Their four children were conceived from this series of coincidences. Their children, as Thssa


    painfully realized, were born from Lysander''s heartache over Harper''s death. With this thought,


    Thssa felt a sharp pain in her heart. She took several deep breaths, trying to steady herself, and


    then looked up at Rosalind, saying, “Everyone has a past.” With those words, she turned and


    walked away.


    Rosalind called out from behind her, “The day after tomorrow is the anniversary of my sister’s


    death.” Thssa stiffened but kept walking, not looking back.