A Broken Resolution (1)

Kelly laughed at Ariad’s words with a huge grin on her face as she talked about the place where her and Joshua’s love could blossom. According to her, it was up to Kelly whether to go or not. Ariad’s remark was rather absurd. However, Kelly’s desire to hold on to Joshua with even the smallest of chances eventually led her to the cathedral. She hated Ariad but she couldn’t help but be swayed. While she hated her, she wanted to resemble her, too. Even if Joshua still loved Ariad in the end, Kelly’s chances of stealing him away might increase if she resembled Ariad. As Kelly stared at her face reflected in the large window next to the cathedral’s entrance, she couldn’t stop smiling. Kelly’s make-up looked rather funny after she imitated Ariad’s bold features. It didn’t suit her gentle features at all. Did Kelly have to look as ugly as that bitch just to be loved?

“Sir, I found her.”

Kelly, who was staring blankly at herself, quickly turned her head at the words. There stood the man she was looking for. Kelly blindly chased him down the stairs. Ariad said she could meet Joshua in the prayer room of Fate Cathedral by the time the sun went down but his receding back didn’t look that way at all. A strange feeling crossed her mind. What if he would never return to this cathedral again? Her strides in pursuit of Joshua gradually widened. She stepped down the stairs one by one but then she anxiously decided to jump two to three steps at a time, later on. Her body, which didn’t quite catch up to her beating heart, faltered incessantly. When she was finally able to block him, she blurted out. “Are you going to find Ariad?”

Perhaps, he still hadn’t realized that Ariad wasn’t carrying his child.

“Don’t go too far.”

Would he still keep searching for Ariad even after knowing the fact?

“She’s not a woman worth spending that much time on.”

Could Joshua still love that filthy whore? Instead of answering, the man smirked. Joshua’s smile made her heart sink. Kelly might assume that he had no idea about Ariad’s secret but he must have known everything and still wanted her, anyway. How ridiculous! What kind of man could tolerate Ariad’s reckless behavior and move on? No matter how great a man was, this problem was difficult to overcome. Nevertheless, stranger thoughts dominated Kelly’s head. She was afraid to hear Joshua say that it didn’t matter to him what kind of woman Ariad was. She didn’t want this little hope that she could barely grasp to disappear like dust. She was afraid to tell Ariad’s secret in front of him. Joshua passed by in a flash as she choked on her own saliva, her lips trembling.  In the end, Kelly couldn’t catch him so she let him was a shame that all that running was useless. As she stared at the man’s back as he moved away, she burst into laughter again. She must have looked stupid for listening to Ariad and coming here. It was similar to imitating Ariad. Wasn’t it funny how Kelly kept insulting Ariad and calling her worthless while still wanting to be like her? She was the worst one at this moment. Kelly felt sick to the stomach once she realized it.

‘I hope your unrequited love for Joshua will be reciprocated. Sincerely.’ Her relaxed voice echoed in her mind. She definitely sounded all high and mighty, acting as if it was a struggle to be in her position. How did that woman make such a decision after winning Joshua’s hardened heart so effortlessly? Kelly couldn’t even dare do that just to leave his side later on. Her infinitely easy and leisurely movements were unpleasant and uncomfortable compared to her courage and willpower. Eventually, Kelly’s inferiority complex grew as big as a house and became a huge lump.

‘I hope your love story will have a happy ending.’

Ariad’s voice was carried in the breeze, hovering in her ears.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Ariad.” She responded fiercely.

Kelly rubbed her lips roughly with the back of her hand as if to hide the fact that she was copying Ariad. A red tint, resembling Ariad’s lip color, spread horribly over her pale face.

* * *

Joshua arrived in a remote rural village after riding a horse all day without a break. A sandy beach was spread out toward the main gate of a huge mansion, and the dazzling sunlight broke over the crashing waves. The scenery looked so calm as he approached. Until then, Joshua’s mood was as clear as the weather.