Chapter 108 Self–Consolation
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 glance 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 had come 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 glanced 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 relationship, 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 mocking laugh, 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 relationship 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 accepted her feelings for Cyril
and her decision to move on–a decision that now struck her as a mere self–consolation, 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 of compensating me, but have you ever asked if I want compensation? 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 Consolation
Sylvia understood the real reason behind Cyril’s visit: his attempts at reconciliation were self–serving, spurred by a belated 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 relationship with Katrina? Maybe if you had, none of this would have happened.
Sylvia interrupted him, her voice firm and her face blank with disbelief at the absurdity of his words. According to him, he could do no wrong, which only compounded 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 declared, 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 their last ties. Whatever bond they had was now broken, all because he failed to see the missteps that had led them to this moment.