No Strings Attached

When the first light of dawn crept across the sky, Elle finally fell asleep in his arms, exhausted. That was the night they gave themselves to each other for the first time. From then on, they started living together.

Looking back, Anders felt an indescribable mix of emotions. It was both sweet and bitter.

If only he had understood Elle better and known how much she had put up with for him, he wouldn't have proposed a breakup. He wouldn't have inflicted such pain on Elle.

Anders gently caressed Elle's lips, reminiscent of their first time together, murmuring an apology, "Elle, I'm so sorry."

Elle's tears flowed silently, tasting bitter as they found their way into her mouth. All her grievances and resentments were encapsulated in those tears.

Her pride had kept her from ever telling Anders how difficult her life had been after they parted ways. She was afraid to tell her family about her pregnancy and did not want Anders' pity. She had no choice but to go through the pregnancy alone and was attending classes while preparing for the baby.

sickness, she would take out her phone and dial Anders' number repeatedly. She wanted to tell him, "Anders, I'm carrying your child. I'm in so much

had once shattered her pride to be with him, only for him to leave her in the end. She couldn't bring herself to reach out to him a second time. So, she went

of the

closed many roads. By the time the ambulance arrived, she had passed

she gave birth to Orin, but the delay caused significant blood loss. At the brink of death,

for Anders and wanted to let go of everything and be with him again, but the wound

don't ask for your forgiveness,

in her eyes, Elle looked at him. She was about to

little blanket. His bright eyes fixed on

as the atmosphere had

peak, it was interrupted, leaving Anders slightly frustrated.