Love Me Just Once (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 171

Idren embraced the woman, who had frozen stiff as if his words had struck her with great shock. Ophelia twitched her hands slightly, as if trying to push him away, but it was no meaningful resistance.

While waiting for her breath to steady from its trembling rhythm, Idren pondered how to comfort someone. Warmth and patience alone weren’t enough—they’d already been tried and had failed. He needed something better…

It was then that Ophelia, still leaning against him and gasping for breath, finally asked,

“How… how did you know?”

Her voice was faint, like the whisper of wind, but he could tell she had regained normal breathing. Relieved, Idren gently stroked her back.

“I saw it.”

Of course—he had seen it, so of course he knew.

It was such an obvious question that Ophelia bit her lower lip. Why had she thought she’d hidden it perfectly? He could have simply pretended not to know.

I was foolish.

Idren shouldn’t have seen the mark left on her neck. Of all people, Ophelia didn’t want him—of all people—to know she’d been treated that way by someone else.

She knew the fault lay entirely with Netepel Luntalis. It was he who’d lost control of his emotions and transformed into a madman.

If it had been anyone else but Idren, Ophelia could have stated that confidently without blinking an eye. He’s the one who acted madly. I did nothing wrong.

But with Idren…

The more her heart leaned toward him, the more Ophelia wanted to hide the things she endured. Though she knew rationally it wasn’t her fault, everything still felt like a flaw of hers.

She feared that if Idren found out, he might turn his back on her.

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