Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

Hank’s apologies kept coming and coming, yet they couldn’t call Yelena’s rationality back.

Suddenly, she seemed to have thought of the most heartbreaking part of her story, and she couldn’t help but curl into herself. “I was truly in pain at that time. I hated myself for not protecting the child. It was also then that I knew that there was no possibility left between us.”

She would never be able to accept him as a potential partner if she couldn’t get over her baby’s death.

He caressed her head and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “That’s not true. You just need to turn around. I’m always right here waiting for you.”

She raised her head and looked at his chiseled jaw and tender gaze with tearful eyes. Just then, her lips trembled in a miserable attempt at a smile. “I can’t. It’s too late now.”

“Then, let me ask you this. Do you still love him?”

She blinked. “Of course, I love him. I’ve always rejected his advances, but I’ve never denied loving him.”

When he heard that, he finally felt relieved. “Since you love him, he will surely protect you. He won’t let you be hurt anymore.”

Yelena rubbed her eyes, and her head felt heavy. “But… you’re not him. How could you possibly know that? Anyway, it doesn’t matter. My relationship with him is already over.”

Hank remained silent, his fingers slightly curling, seemingly discouraged.

After that, she suddenly lifted her head and asked, “Since it’s impossible between him and me now… It doesn’t really matter who I marry now, does it? So, would you like to marry me?”

Her words shocked him once again.

“I’ve thought about it. Since this is my emotional baggage, I know I’d feel guilty if I held him back. That’s why I’ve decided to find a random person to marry. This way, he can finally move on.”

all this?” His tone was icy as if his words could cut through her very

thing. If he keeps waiting for me and I waste my time and youth, I’ll never be able to forgive myself for the rest of my life.” As Yelena spoke, there was a hint of nostalgia in her

this for him

let her drink this much from now on. Luckily, I’m the one here tonight. If it were someone else…

let’s not talk about anything else. Just tell me, do you want to

still ask the same question?” he needed to ask this right now for his peace

up abruptly and looked at the time, feeling slightly dizzy. “Luckily, there’s still time. City Hall hasn’t closed its doors yet. Let’s go and sign the

being pulled along

home and retrieved her birth certificate from some

“Where’s your birth certificate?”

of the family’s documents were

car’s compartment and waved it in front

when she saw that. “Since we both have the necessary documents, let’s

“You didn’t even ask me for my name, and you’re ready to marry

course, I know who you are. You’re Hank.” She

of happiness rising in his heart. “What do you mean? You know who I am? So, you want

Why would I randomly marry anyone?” She laughed heartily. “I was just kidding earlier.

speechless.

you.” As she spoke, her

her head upon hearing her

her heartfelt words under the influence of alcohol. Once she sobered up, it would be too late for all of this. I have to take her to get the marriage certificate before she sobers up. I need to bind her to me

on the gas pedal forcefully,