To the Man Destined to Kill Me - Chapter 53

Noah, who had returned from Iodes, watched as Scarlet’s maid, Marie, moved the luggage bags.

Is she trying to go back to the White mansion? If that happens, it’ll be even harder to see you again.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to meet Andy. If I wait any longer, I think I’ll die first. I’m also going to visit my mother’s grave.”

It was clearly the attitude of someone preparing for death. It felt like Noah’s heart was melting.

“You don’t look well. How about resting for a few days before you go?”

“It’s only going to get worse from now on.”

The only time her health had briefly improved was the day she was murdered. Scarlet hid the memory of that day deep under her eyelids.

“Where is Mr. Andrew?”

“He’s in Nebelin.”

“That’s quite far.”

“I don’t care.”

“Scarlet.”

Noah grabbed the bag Scarlet was holding and hid it behind him. His low voice, calling her name, was filled with both pleading and warning.

“Give it back.”

Scarlet ordered firmly.

“Hand it over.”

“Please.”

“If I die without even seeing Andy’s face, I won’t be able to close my eyes properly.”

“You… you’ll be fine.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Go back to the White mansion instead. Spend time with your family there. Don’t say you’re going on a long trip.”

“I’m staying here. I’d rather die alone than show everyone how miserable I look.”

“Please… Please, don’t say things like that.”

“Marie, it’s time for my medicine.”

“Here it is.”

Marie handed Scarlet her medicine and a glass of water. Scarlet looked at the yellow pill with a troubled expression.

She had taken it even before she was killed, but it was an extremely strong medicine. It was like sacrificing other parts of her body just to keep her heart alive.

“Do you know why I said I’d stay here?”

Scarlet swallowed the pill. Her throat felt like it was burning.

“If my brothers see me withering and dying, they’ll hate you even more. Don’t misunderstand. It’s not for you. It’s for my brothers. So when I die, run away immediately. Before they notice you’re gone, before they go crazy and come after you.”

Does she love Noah? No, that’s not it.

Or maybe… Is this feeling love? A fondness that bloomed on top of deep hatred might be stronger than love itself.

But had she forgiven Noah? Definitely not. She still hated him. The misery of her dying moments often came back to haunt her.

“Do you understand? Run away.”

This feeling was called bittersweet love. A cruel mix of hatred and affection tied Scarlet down, leaving her helpless.

‘Idiot. Fool. Stupid Scarlet White.’

She sighed, blaming herself. At the same time, red blood splashed from between her lips.

“Ah…”

Because she had taken painkillers too, she thought her stomach was just burning.

When Scarlet coughed up blood, it was Noah who turned pale like the real patient. He hurriedly wiped her mouth with his sleeve, looking frantic. His sleeve was soaked in blood.

“Don’t make a fuss.”

“How can you be so calm? If you’re in pain, say you’re in pain.”

“I don’t want to tell you.”

Noah roughly brushed back his bangs. He looked half out of his mind, completely messed up.

“Blame me instead.”

Scarlet’s indifferent reaction only agitated Noah more. He desperately pleaded.

“Yell at me like you always do. Get angry. Why aren’t you saying anything? If you can’t rely on me, at least take it out on me!”

Who was he to ask her to vent on him? It was annoying. Even Noah didn’t seem to know exactly what he wanted. Scarlet’s nerves were shredded by his irrational behavior and her own restlessness.

“Are you saying that just to feel better yourself? That’s ridiculous. This is how I’m hurting you.”

“Ha. Fine. If that’s what you wanted, you succeeded. I feel like I’m dying. So, are you okay? Won’t you regret it when you die? Won’t you have any regrets? Won’t you feel wronged—”

Smack!

Scarlet slapped Noah without hesitation. Anger flashed in her clenched eyes. Noah thought, finally, Scarlet was reacting properly.

“Ha. Haha.”

Noah burst into crazy laughter. Scarlet’s face turned pale. She raised her trembling hand and slapped the other side of his face.

“Is that all? Hit me more.”

“You…”

Scarlet, heated with anger, didn’t stop hitting him. With her face red from rage, she shoved Noah’s shoulders and punched him with all her strength. Then she screamed as if tearing her throat apart.

“Who do you think you are to say that? How dare you! You have no idea what I’m feeling! You’ll never understand what I’m enduring, even if you died and came back to life!”

“What are you feeling, then?”

Even as Scarlet pushed him back while hitting him, Noah didn’t back down. In fact, he looked relieved.

There was a kind of madness in Noah. The fact that the person he loved was dying was driving him insane. If he lost Scarlet, he would have nothing left. She was Noah’s salvation, his freedom, his very soul.

It was better for her to scream in pain than to endure sadness quietly. That sadness would set her free. He even started to laugh crazily. At that, Scarlet screamed in a voice that seemed to tear apart.

“Stop! Stop it! Stop laughing!”

Scarlett glared at him, breathing heavily. She was still hitting Noah’s chest.

“Do you want me to blame you? You want me to be like this? Is this what you wanted? I said stop! Stop!”

“Yes. This is better! Why do you accept death so easily! Don’t act like you’re being kind! Think only about yourself!”

Clear tears flowed from Noah’s eyes. But he shouted without hesitation, full of anger.

“If you’re planning to die, just make yourself comfortable! I don’t need your useless kindness! It only makes me feel worse!”

“Who are you to pity me! Why are you crying! I’m the one who wants to cry! Why you!”

Scarlett’s fist struck Noah’s nose. Thud. Blood dripped onto the carpet, staining it.

“Ah…”

Scarlett’s hand froze in the air, shocked. Then she quickly covered her mouth and swallowed a scream. She stepped back in reflex, crying, then trembling as she came closer to him.

“Noah… I’m sorry. Are you okay? Oh, my God…”

When Scarlett reached out to him, Noah slapped her hand away and stepped back.

“Don’t worry about it.”

She took a deep breath with a hurt expression. She looked very shocked to see the blood. Clutching her chest, Scarlett broke into tears. Her mind had gone completely blank.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Noah. I’m sorry…”

“Yeah. Cry. Crying is better.”

Scarlett’s face stiffened. She bit her lip, trembling.

“You… you’re… really, even to the end…”

Leaving Noah to wipe the blood himself, Scarlett rushed past him and out of the room. Noah shouted at her back.

“Running away? Yeah! Just run away! You’re a coward and selfish!”

Scarlett disappeared into the carriage as if to hide herself. Watching the carriage move away, Noah’s legs gave out, and he sank to the ground.

It would be better if I died and you lived. Then I would be free from this pain, and you would be saved from a dying life.

Much thicker tears than before started falling one after another. He couldn’t understand why he acted like that toward Scarlett. He had been overwhelmed by irritation and acted badly without meaning to.

Now that she was gone, he could fully accept the stabbing pain. The light of his soul faded with her death.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Scarlett…”

Because I exist, because I caused you pain.

Because I love you, I’m sorry…

Scott visited the villa a few hours after Scarlett had left. Riding in a carriage toward the villa, he spotted Wilhelm lingering near the entrance.

“Wilhelm. Long time no see.”

“Oh, Mr. Scott.”

“Hop in. Let’s go together.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you here to see Scarlett?”

“Yes. I came because I was worried since she hasn’t been coming to school.”

“Seems like she’s not feeling well.”

Scott’s face clearly showed concern for Scarlett. Though he looked strong like a hero from myths, he was just a weak human when it came to his sister.

The carriage stopped. Scott and Wilhelm got off. Scott opened the front door.

“Scarlett! Marie!”

There was no sign of life inside the villa. Feeling a strange unease, Scott called her name again.

“Scarlett!”

“Mr. White?”

Marie, who had been working in the kitchen, came out running.

“Miss Scarlett went to see Young Master Andrew. She’ll be back in three or four days.”

“She went alone?”

“Yes. She said many times she wanted to see him.”

“If I had known, I would’ve gone with her last time. Wilhelm, sorry you came for nothing.”

“It’s okay.”

Just then, Noah came out from inside, ready to leave. He looked a bit surprised to see Scott, but simply nodded lightly in greeting. However, Scott completely ignored him.

“What brings you here, Hoffman?”

“I was worried because Scarlett wasn’t coming to school. You were home too, huh?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Wilhelm, don’t talk to that guy. It’ll only harm your dignity.”

“He’s my school friend.”

“And he’s someone with dirty blood.”

Noah clenched his fist tightly. Scott glared at him with disgust, as if being in the same space made him sick. Noah’s jaw twitched.

“For a long time, Wifland has seen bastards as proof of sin. Even if the world has changed and you can get an education, your origin doesn’t change. If we talk about Natalia, it’s like dining at the same table as a slave.”

Scott’s voice was full of hatred. His eyes were filled with contempt. Even seeing a sudden bug would have been kinder.

Trying to ease the heavy mood, Wilhelm spoke gently, though his face showed his awkwardness.

“Where someone is from doesn’t matter. What matters is who they are.”

“That’s true. I’m glad you are upright. Scarlett needs someone like you. But that guy doesn’t deserve to be judged by who he is. He’s not someone worth it.”

Seeing Wilhelm’s confused face, Scott sneered and glared at Noah. His gray eyes were cold like a snowy field under a gray sky. Just his gaze felt like it could freeze everything.

“Because that guy is a petty thief, used to stealing. He lives by clinging to people like a parasite. So, how long are you planning to cling to Scarlett? When you were young, you clung to my father, and now as an adult, you shamelessly cling to Scarlett. You really are your mother’s son.”

“Are you… done talking?”

Noah ground his teeth.

Scott’s words filled him with humiliation, enough to make it hard to breathe. It was terribly shameful, but for Scarlett’s sake, he had to endure it.

He had the strength to fight back right now. He wasn’t the kind of person to just sit and take it anywhere, except in front of Scarlett where he lowered himself like a dog.

“Mr. White! Grisham, you should go inside—”

“Even if Scarlett dies, you won’t get any rights, not even a window of this house. Your life, no different from a parasite’s, will all be wasted time! Know this — you’re only alive because of her kindness. You’ve been living your whole life clinging to Scarlett like a parasite—”

Scott couldn’t finish his words.

Because Noah punched him.

Support