To the Man Destined to Kill Me - Chapter 75

Noah stared at the rain falling steadily. The damp earth sank under the shape of shoe soles. He thought it looked just like how he felt.

The newspaper in his hand was crumpled and soaked. After absorbing the rain, it was thrown onto the ground, soggy and useless.

Scarlett White – Funeral Mass at 10 AM, Gregorio Cathedral

The newspaper was wrong. The funeral at Gregorio Cathedral wasn’t for Scarlett. It was for a politician who had recently passed away.

Noah only found out after arriving at the cathedral and rushed to find another nearby church. But none had a funeral mass scheduled that day.

After asking around, he arrived at the Rosario Grand Cathedral. But everything was already over. The place was empty and silent.

Rain ran down his swollen eyelids. The temperature had dropped noticeably—it almost felt like winter. Raindrops bounced off puddles with soft splashes.

Noah sank to the ground. He cried out.

“Huuhhh…”

Scarlett was dead. He hadn’t even been there for her final moment.

The muddy water from the puddles soaked into his wet knees.

Huuhh. Huuhh. Aaaahhh…

From his pale lips came an endless stream of sobs.

But he pressed his palm to his face and held back the sorrow. He wiped his red eyes and tried to pull himself together.

He couldn’t stay like this. In a few days, he was leaving for Natalia. Before he went, he wanted to bring her the flowers she loved.

Noah stood up.

“Be happy.”

Her last words echoed in his mind.

“Be happy.”

How can I be happy without you?

But because it was her wish, he would try—even if he couldn’t truly be happy. So at the very least, he had to find where she was buried.

The White brothers smelled of damp rain. Dressed in black, they gave off a heavy, gloomy air.

Aaron pulled a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet. The strong scent of alcohol filled the room.

It was just past noon, still bright outside, but the rain made it feel like evening. No one seemed to mind.

Susan looked clearly exhausted. She rubbed her dry eyes while Scott, staring blankly at the table, reached out to Aaron and asked for a drink.

Aaron, after wetting his lips with the strong liquor, asked:

“Where’s John?”

“He probably went inside. Give me a drink too.”

Aaron handed the bottle over. Scott took it and drank without hesitation.

“He seemed really crushed.”

“Of course. He was close to her.”

After that, silence settled in. No one could break it.

They had all lived expecting death, but facing it was different. Even if you’re prepared, losing someone close always hurts.

“I still can’t believe it. We knew she wouldn’t last long, but I didn’t think it would happen this fast…”

Aaron sighed. Scott and Susan felt no different. It finally sank in once they saw the coffin being buried.

“Aren’t you tired? You didn’t sleep at all last night.”

To Scott’s question, Susan replied:

“I’m fine. I can handle it.”

“You should get some rest. It’s all over now.”

“Is it really over?”

“It is.”

“…I’m not so sure.”

“Susan, stay strong. You have to be. Same goes for you, Scott.”

“You’re not the one to say that.”

Aaron’s eyes turned red. Susan sighed and shook her head—he looked like a child even with that big, intimidating frame.

“It would’ve been nice if Andrew were here. He always knew what to say.”

“He wouldn’t help much. He’d sound like a priest. ‘Let’s pray. May peace be with you,’ or something like that.”

Scott added to Susan’s words.

“He might’ve gotten mad. Asked what we were doing, grabbed me by the collar, maybe even spit in my face.”

“Hot tempers run in the White family.”

“…”

Silence again. The heavy mood didn’t lift.

Each was lost in thought. Susan in grief, Scott swallowing his anger. And Aaron…

“If it weren’t for the promise, I would’ve killed Noah Ashford.”

“I thought that was my job. I didn’t think you felt anything toward him.”

“Scotty, my poor little brother, grieving because he couldn’t get revenge. Don’t forget I’m a White too. I never forgave him. I just buried it.”

But now, no one could touch Noah. Not because of Victor Lebedev behind him, but because Scarlett didn’t want it.

One night, under the full moon, Scarlett, weak and fading, spoke while with her family. Her message was simple.

“Don’t make my life meaningless.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s follow Mom and Dad’s wishes. Let him go.”

“Do you know what you’re saying?”

“Susan, I’m not asking you to forgive him. Just don’t try to punish him. He’s not guilty, so ‘punish’ isn’t even the right word. Don’t try to hurt him.”

Scott, reflecting on her words, asked a question he’d always wanted to ask.

“Did something change that made you go to him?”

“…I had a nightmare.”

A nightmare?

“A dream where I was hunted like an animal. I don’t want to see that in real life too.”

Not only Scott but the other siblings also showed puzzled expressions.

Scarlett’s answer was vague. She was clearly avoiding the question, as if hiding something. But she looked so frail that no one pushed further.

“…I don’t want to be someone’s nightmare. If you try to destroy him, I’ll be Noah’s nightmare. But if you leave him alone, I’ll remain his beautiful dream.”

“What does he mean to you?”

“Hmm…”

After thinking for a while, Scarlett just smiled and said she didn’t really know. That smile was all the answer she gave.

She looked happier than ever—and at the same time, like someone who had already lost the world.

Susan and Aaron thought Scarlett had forgiven the Ashfords. Maybe it was the kind of peace only someone near death could have—letting go of pain and holding onto the good.

But Scott felt differently. He looked like a mother watching her daughter enter a disappointing marriage.

Scarlett knew what Scott was feeling but pretended not to notice. She made them promise—and they kept their word.

“Aaron. Putting up with the Ashfords is the best gift we can give Scarlett. That means we’re doing the right thing.”

Susan, with a troubled face, took the bottle from Scott and closed it.

Then, noise came from outside. Aaron’s lips twisted.

“Reporters, probably. Parasites who feed on other people’s misery.”

He thought the noise would die down quickly. But it didn’t. Irritated, Aaron went to the living room.

“What’s going on?”

A passing servant answered.

“Noah Ashford is here.”

“That bastard? Kick him out.”

“But sir, he’s a mage… We’re using magic items, but they’re not working.”

“Damn it. I never liked that guy. Bring him here.”

But before the servant could fetch him, Noah forced his way through. Soaked to the bone, he looked worse than a drowned rat.

“How dare you come here?”

He looked like he could break down crying any second. Holding back tears, he begged.

“Just tell me where Scarlett’s grave is.”

“What do you need to know for?”

Scott appeared behind Aaron, lips curled in a sneer.

“I just… want to leave her flowers. Say goodbye.”

“She doesn’t need your flowers or your goodbye. Get out.”

“I won’t go until you tell me.”

“I said get out.”

“I can’t.”

Noah’s body trembled from the cold. His breath was shallow, and he sank to his knees.

“Drag him out.”

Servants approached Noah, but a magical barrier stopped them. They looked at Scott, unsure what to do.

Noah swallowed the taste of his tears—no, it was his sobs. Throwing away all pride, he begged again.

“Please… I just want to see Scarlett.”

“…She wouldn’t want you here.”

“Why not? I’m her brother too.”

“…We’re never telling you where she is. You should leave.”

“Aaron White. Shut up. Why are you even entertaining this vermin? Noah Ashford. This is your last warning. Leave this house now and never show your face again. If you don’t, I won’t be able to hold myself back.”

“Scott…”

Aaron tapped him lightly, trying to calm him down. But Scott’s anger didn’t fade.

His clenched jaw creaked. Veins bulged on his forehead. His face was red, ready to explode.

“I won’t leave.”

At that, Scott snapped. He grabbed a mop from the hallway and ripped off the handle. Madness flashed in his eyes.

“If you won’t walk out, I’ll drag you out. And I’ll beat you just enough to not kill you.”

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