To the Man Destined to Kill Me - Chapter 56

The two decided to watch a play first. The plot didn’t matter. They booked tickets for the soonest show and found their seats.

Because it was a small theater, the seats were very close together. A big man sat next to Scarlett, so she ended up sitting almost glued to Noah.

“Ah…”

She could feel his body heat on her shoulder and arm. Their clothes touched, and even their breaths could be heard clearly. No matter how much they tried to hide it, their tension and nervousness were obvious, and even their breathing became distracting.

“Are you okay? Are you uncomfortable?”

A low, deep voice whispered in her ear, making her shiver.

It was a simple question, but Scarlett thought Noah sounded very mature. Even though being cared for was something she had always taken for granted, today it felt very different.

Scarlett was painfully aware of Noah’s presence. Her heart ached. Her breath caught.

“I’m… fine.”

“Tell me if you feel uncomfortable.”

“Mm.”

The play started. The lead actors came out, and their strong voices filled the theater.

Even over the loud voices, Scarlett could hear her own breathing. She was scared that Noah would notice how nervous she was.

She stopped herself from turning her head towards him and forced her eyes to stay on the stage. Slowly, very slowly, she got absorbed in the performance.

Meanwhile, Noah felt like he was going crazy. His knee and shoulder touched Scarlett’s, and it made him itch with nervousness.

He wanted to wrap his arm around her shoulder. He wanted to cover her bare calves with his jacket. Most of all, her breath was so close. What could be more tempting than this?

“Yes, I must admit it. This feeling is love!”

At the actor’s loud confession, Scarlett flinched a little. To Noah, it felt like an earthquake. Without thinking, he turned to look at her.

She was completely focused on the play, her hands neatly folded on her knees, her lips slightly parted in concentration. Noah couldn’t understand how she could be so focused at a moment like this.

‘Ah… right.’

He realized how beautiful her slightly red lips were. He couldn’t take his eyes off them. He no longer cared about the play.

Like a wild dog longing for the moon, Noah kept stealing glances at Scarlett’s lips. He saw her gently press her bottom lip with her teeth, and her mouth open slightly with a soft breath.

“But I can’t love him.”

“Gasp…”

At the next line, Scarlett stopped breathing for a moment. Her fingertips brushed Noah’s leg. It wasn’t on purpose. She didn’t even realize what she had touched. But Noah felt like he couldn’t breathe.

“Because the one you truly love… is me.”

“No…”

Scarlett gasped softly. Her hand brushed against Noah’s again, deeper this time. Only then did she realize that, during the play, they had gotten even closer.

Noah’s hand was right beside hers. The tragic story made it hard to breathe, and the feelings she had for Noah tightened around her chest.

She could feel his rough skin. Without meaning to, she swallowed hard. Her heartbeat echoed loudly in her ears.

What should she do? Should she grab his hand? She wanted to. But she knew if she did, there would be no going back. Her heart pounded so hard it hurt.

“Uh…”

Noah gently reached out and held Scarlett’s hand. His hand crossed the small space between the seats to grab hers.

At first, he was careful. But when Scarlett didn’t pull away, he locked their fingers together, tightly, leaving no space between them.

Scarlett felt like she was going crazy from the sensation of Noah’s hand over hers.

“If you forgive me, please be happy by my side.”

The lead actor said. The characters in the play found love after much hardship.

Maybe because of the touching scene, Scarlett flipped her hand over and held Noah’s hand tightly too.

Noah thought the play was the best thing ever.

After the play, they went to a nearby café for lunch. Scarlett sipped her fruit juice and talked about the play.

“I’m glad it had a happy ending. If it had ended sadly, I would’ve cursed on the way out.”

Scarlett’s hand was still caught in Noah’s. He didn’t let go.

“Yeah. I liked that it wasn’t a tragedy.”

“You think so too, huh?”

Scarlett glanced at Noah’s drink. Unlike her, he had ordered coffee.

Noah looked beautiful in the sunlight. His shining blond hair, his skin, now whiter and healthier, and his deep blue eyes — Scarlett thought she might see that face at the moment of her death.

“Tired?”

Noah asked with a gentle voice. The kindness in his tone made her heart flutter. Her neck grew warm for no reason.

As Scarlett’s cheeks turned pink, Noah touched her forehead.

“No fever.”

He smiled slightly. Maybe it was the sunlight behind him, but to Scarlett, his smile looked blinding.

‘I want to be like that to you too.’

I want to smile happily.

I want to be healthy.

I want to…

“Have you ever had coffee with salt in it?”

“Uh…”

For a second, Noah’s expression wavered. Seeing him flustered, Scarlett laughed. Since he got caught, Noah decided to confess quickly.

“I did it out of jealousy.”

“Jealousy?”

“I was scared of losing you. I thought you might disappear with Wilhelm.”

Noah’s grip tightened. Blushing to his ears, he lowered his head like a ten-year-old boy confessing his first love.

“I won’t go anywhere.”

“I’m glad.”

“Actually, I have a new goal now.”

“What is it?”

“When I turn 19 — if I make it to 19 — I’ll forgive you completely. I’ll let go of the leftover hate and sadness, and I’ll see you not as Ashford, but just as Noah.”

“…”

Noah’s lips parted in surprise. Scarlett looked strangely fragile, like mist disappearing at sunrise.

“What’s so special about turning 19?”

“Because it’s a day I was never supposed to reach.”

“That’s not true. You’ll survive. You’ll be healthy and safe—”

“Don’t deny reality.”

“Scarlett.”

She patted his head to calm him down. Noah, who had looked ready to stand up in anger, became like a quiet, tamed beast in front of her.

“Why are you saying things like that…”

His voice trembled with tears. Scarlett answered quietly.

“Don’t hate my brothers too much. I hope you can live well, even without me.”

“No. Don’t say that. Please.”

“I want to forgive you.”

“You don’t have to. Just live. That’s enough.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

Slowly, Scarlett pulled her hand from Noah’s grasp. Then she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck. Noah gasped in surprise, his eyes widening.

She leaned her face weakly on his shoulder. Noah, awkward at first, soon hugged her tightly.

Their heartbeats were completely out of sync. More than that, Scarlett felt faint and weak, while Noah was strong. That difference was something neither of them could help. It made her sad. Why was she always so powerless when it came to him?

The only thing she could do was forgive him.

That was the only gift Scarlett could give Noah.

‘Can you really do it, Scarlett White?’

She knew how hard it would be, and she gave her whole heart today. Noah wasn’t much different.

He carried Scarlett on his back when her shoes hurt her feet. He came home early, and they played on the swing in the garden. They kept joking and laughing.

The day ended with Noah’s lullaby.

It wasn’t anything special. He sat by her bedside and read to her, not a fairy tale, but a travel journal she often liked.

There was no hatred, no sharpness between them — only a desperate longing for each other.

“During summer, in North Natalia, you can experience the ‘Midnight Sun’ — when the sun doesn’t set at all. Because of this—”

“I want to visit North Natalia someday. I wonder what a night without darkness feels like. Would I get grumpy from no sleep? I feel like I’d die if I missed even one night.”

Scarlett interrupted. Noah’s eyes sparkled, as if he was looking forward to that day.

His reply was filled with drowsy playfulness.

“Hmm. I guess we’ll need thick curtains. Let’s go together. I’ll carry your bags.”

“Yeah. Let’s do that.”

It was just a passing dream, but they made a promise that couldn’t be kept.

“Yawn.”

“Sleepy?”

“Yeah. I have to visit Scott tomorrow, but I don’t know if I’ll have the energy.”

A letter had arrived from Scott in the evening. It was only one line long:

[I’ve found out the truth.]

It was short but powerful. Still, Scarlett put the letter aside. Today was her first and last day to focus only on Noah.

“Keep reading.”

“Okay.”

Noah gently stroked Scarlett’s hair. His soft voice and elegant way of speaking soothed her. As she fell asleep, she wished this moment could last forever.

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