Charles's POV
I blamed her for what I had become. That helped me cope with the reality, helped me hate myself less for turning into this monster that haunted the shadows.
But she didn't know I would transform into this creature. When she walked away from me, she believed I was fine, that I would wake up free from the curse and continue living without any complications.
That's why she never turned around to look back.
However, in her memories, I witnessed her pain, saw her longing for me every single day that passed.
She constantly battled the urge to stop pretending she despised me. She pushed herself so hard to become cold, ruthless, and everything that went against her true nature.
But she failed miserably. Her determination crumbled the moment we encountered each other again.
She was exactly like me.
My love for her wasn't unrequited. It was a shocking revelation. A strange peace settled deep in my bones, anchoring me to this new understanding.
