They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 604: We Had to Make a Choice

He exhaled hard, voice tightening. "I don’t fault you for trying to shoulder everything yourself, we’ve always lived that way, handling our own battles until there’s no other choice. But when it involved her... you should have called me."

Carl shook his head slowly. "I thought I could handle it. And I’m not blaming you. I won’t. I’m the one to blame, Arthur, not you, not anyone else. I won’t share the guilt." His gaze softened but didn’t waver. "But you constantly reminding me of it doesn’t help. I already live with it."

He pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down, the weight of exhaustion pressing on his shoulders though his face betrayed none of it.

Arthur, however, didn’t let up. "You know," he said, his voice tightening as he finally glanced at Carl, "if you weren’t still recovering... we would be at your training grounds right now."

Carl understood instantly. That was Arthur’s language, combat as a release when words and choices failed him. It had always been the way he dealt with matters he couldn’t control, especially when it came to Anastasia.

A faint smile tugged at Carl’s lips. "I thank you for your consideration," he said evenly, nodding in acknowledgment. "But you should know... even if you did challenge me, I would gladly accept it."

be here for her." He walked

on Nnenna, lying so still, too still. Her face was calm, peaceful even, unaware of the storm raging in the hearts of those who had been left

if he wanted her to hear him or if he was just talking to himself. "The first time I saw you like this, I wasn’t even there for you. I was curious about the one that kept bringing Somto to the hospital every month. He wouldn’t say your name, wouldn’t explain. But he had that look, that look he gets when someone means more to him than his own life. That’s when I knew. Something was different. Something was important. So I came. Though I didn’t stay long enough to even register

edged his whisper. "I cared... but only because you were connected to Somto. Compared to now, that version of me barely cared at all. How could I? I was

if he wanted to touch her but couldn’t bring himself to. His voice dropped, hoarse with ache. "Unlike that day... now, every time I see you like this, my heart feels like it’s

make a choice for you," Arthur said, his voice low, carrying both weight and worry. "I can’t know what you would have wanted if you could decide for yourself. I know you’re strong... and I’ll be here to help you face whatever comes next. But sometimes, I wonder if you would rather just... end it

you. All I can do is hope it’s what you would have wanted... and promise you this, I’ll be here,

sure. But I would never downplay his goodness, his loyalty...

that had happened in Prigrian while

schoolwork. The academy hasn’t resumed yet, but honestly, I wouldn’t worry even if you missed a few months. You’re already

you she misses you. I didn’t tell them what happened... because, well, she would probably abandon everything she’s doing and rush over here.