Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Chapter 405: Regret Comes Too Late

Genevieve and Paul left the hospital together. Genevieve, out of options, decided to take a desperate step-she went to the Montgomery family.

Paul, on the other hand, was in a daze. He couldn't even recall how he had managed to leave the hospital. His mind was consumed with thoughts of Kimberly.

He remembered that when they had first married, Kimberly wasn't like this. Back then, she had hidden her sharp edges from him, softening herself in his presence. She had even tried cooking for him once, though she nearly set the kitchen on fire. He vividly recalled coming home from work that day to see her, covered in soot, proudly presenting a plate of charred food.

Her eyes had sparkled then, shining like stars. He realized now that was the moment he had fallen for her.

But as time passed, his job demands increased, and his late nights became more frequent. Kimberly began to change. She would lose her temper without warning. To placate her, no matter how exhausted he was, he would hold her close and whisper sweet words to calm her.

Paul once believed all women were foolish for falling for lies and hollow promises. But thinking back on Kimberly's gaze during those moments, he realized he'd been wrong.

Women weren't foolish for believing lies-they chose to trust. Kimberly had chosen to trust him, to hold on to their marriage, even when he had been too arrogant to acknowledge her efforts.

Before their marriage, Paul had thought of Kimberly as a spoiled princess, someone who wasn't his type. She had been born into privilege, never having to worry about anything in life. All she needed to do was look beautiful and enjoy her perfect world.

But Genevieve... she was different. She came from nothing and had to rely on her body to survive. Yet Paul somehow saw her as pure, her soul as clean.

Perhaps it was because the first time he met Genevieve, she had appeared so pitiful that it stirred his protective instincts. First impressions were powerful. Humans are inclined to sympathize with the weak, and in doing so, he had forgotten the wife who had been changing herself for him at home.

Paul thought Kimberly's temper was growing worse, not realizing that it was her desperate attempt to grab his attention.

In love, Kimberly was like a child, clumsily believing that causing trouble would make him notice her. She adored the way Paul would pamper her after her outbursts, making her feel like his most treasured possession.

She had been carefully defending their marriage all along, only to push Paul further and further away. And now, at last, Paul understood: the one who had suffered the most wasn't Genevieve-it was Kimberly.

Women are sensitive creatures. How could Kimberly not have known about his indulgent nightlife? She, so proud and strong, had endured it all, silently shedding tears he had never seen.

filled with regret. What had

Her signature was clear and resolute. The

with tiny floral patterns. She wasn't her usual proud, fiery self; instead, she had

sign this, I'll officially be your wife. You have to treat me well," she'd said,

I'll treat

name, then sat to the side, waiting for the staff to process their marriage certificate. Despite the short wait, she had been as nervous as a

it taking so long? Did I fill

worry, it's fine," he had reassured

lovable side after all. When they finally received

now. If you ever wrong me, just watch how I'll deal with you!"

background. At the time, he hadn't considered her feelings or taken

thick and thin, to grow old with

all, until today,

It had sounded so simple, just a few words. But now Paul

realized that her pride had been a mask, a protective armor. He would rather she had screamed at him, hit him, anything but those light, final words: "I'm letting you go." nature is twisted. Only after losing her did he realize she was the

his vision. For the first time in years, Paul felt

Kim..." he murmured, clutching the papers as he stumbled into the middle of the street, oblivious to the blaring horns

car screeched to a halt, tires

"Bang!"

several meters, his body landing with a dull thud on

down slowly, finally settling beside

rushed out of the car. "Are you okay?

down his face

trying to

was all Paul said,