Chapter 74

"Gerald..."

I almost want to forgive him, but if it weren't for Rufus coming to my rescue, I would have been trapped and spent my entire life with my body taken from me.

Even though it was ultimately Mabel's fault, Gerald's betrayal almost cost both Norman and me our lives.

I cannot forgive Gerald for betraying us.

Still, I can understand the reasons and causes that led Gerald to become so twisted.

"...I'm sorry."

Gerald didn't try to take someone's life; he just wanted me.

It's true that he made a mistake, but I wanted to create a path for him to be happy again.

I want him to forget his painful past, live in a distant land, and start over.

"I'll do everyone's share, so please wait."

"It's okay, I'm with you."

We all know Gerald's good qualities. I know that all those good things weren't just an act or a facade, and I have the confidence that he will be okay.

I signaled to the man outside the door, and he immediately came in.

Gerald must have realized that the man was a magician who could erase memories.

"No, no, Saedy, no...!"

Gerald, trying to escape from the magician, took a few steps back, and the shackles on his feet clinked, "Clank, clank."

Despite the feeling of being crushed in my chest, I told the man, "Please."

"...Then, I'll start."

A dazzling light spread from the tip of the man's wand.

Gerald, who had been repeatedly saying "No" and "I'm sorry" and struggling, eventually slumped to the ground, as if all his strength had drained away, enveloped in the soft golden light.

Perhaps he realized that resistance was futile, and he eventually looked at me straight in the eyes.

His trembling hand reached out to me, as if clinging to something.

I instinctively reached out to him for a moment, but quickly clenched my hand to my chest.

Gerald, who had been watching this, eventually lowered his eyebrows and smiled as if he were troubled.

"–I'm sorry, Saedy. I really loved you."

With those words, Gerald's eyes closed quietly, and he lost consciousness as if he were peacefully sleeping. The man confirmed this and said, "It's done."

"......"

Before I knew it, tears were streaming uncontrollably from my eyes, and I was crying like a child.

After laying Gerald on the bed, the man left the room and must have informed someone of my condition.

Rufus and Eliza entered the room in his place and embraced me without a word. Tears were also in Eliza's eyes, and I wrapped my arms around her slender back.

"Ugh... ugh..."

I, who am not a god, felt guilt and resistance about making such a decision. Still, I want to live with the responsibility of that decision.

–I realize again how much I loved "Gerald" as a friend and as family.

The thought that the Gerald I knew is really gone now left a hollow feeling in my chest that never seemed to fade.

◇◇◇

Two days later, I heard that he had woken up, and I immediately went to the hospital where he was.

After being informed that he was in good health and had no memory at all, I knocked on the door of the room, nervous.

"Come in."

It should have been a familiar voice, but it felt different somehow.

When I entered, there he was, sitting on the bed. He looked exactly like the person I knew, but his expressions and gestures made him seem like a different person.

It was as if someone else had taken his place. I slowly approached the bed, and he smiled at me gently.

"Hello. Who are you?"

"I'm your friend."

"Is that so? Were we good friends?"

His deep green eyes, which used to be filled with intense passion, now felt different. I realized that his memory was completely gone.

After a moment, when I replied, "Yes," he nodded without any doubt, saying, "I see."

He is going to live in a distant country. Of course, we have prepared a good environment for him, and it's all up to him now.

So this is probably the last time we will meet.

"I really don't remember anything. I don't even know who I am or how I've lived so far."

"You were in an accident. ...A very, very unfortunate accident."

"I see. Then maybe it's better that I forgot."

Even though his words had no deep meaning and weren't the feelings of the "Gerald" I knew, I felt a great sense of relief.

"Hey, do you know my name? No one has told me anything since I woke up."

Actually, I had looked into it for today. I visited the orphanage where he had been as a child.

I want him to live as himself, not as a substitute for someone else, and to truly be himself.

And I hope he will meet someone who will love him for who he is and find happiness.

"Hey, your name is –..."