There Is No Paradise Where I Ran Away To (14 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 42

Charlotte merely twirled the pen between her fingers, hesitating to set its nib to paper. She had already spent so long composing just a single sentence for the letter to Baron Zimmermann, yet found herself unable to continue.

Even after sending two letters already, this being the third, she still hadn’t grown accustomed to it.

Baron Zimmermann’s replies were generally filled with joy. Precisely because of that, her heart grew heavier. She doubted whether she deserved to become the wife of such a kind man while harboring a love that could never come to fruition.

Half-resigned, Charlotte set the pen down and turned her gaze toward Vivian, who was staring blankly into empty space.

Lately, Vivian’s mind hadn’t been entirely present either. She seemed dazed, as if searching for someone who had drifted far beyond the stars. She appeared lost in deep contemplation—likely over Edwin—and Charlotte couldn’t bring herself to disturb her.

“Miss Ebelline.”

“Yes? Oh—yes?”

Startled, Vivian snapped back to awareness. She blinked at Charlotte in confusion, then her eyes drifted down to the nearly blank letter before her, bearing only a single line.

She sighed softly and read aloud the lone sentence written there:

“Hello, Baron.”

When Vivian raised her eyes reproachfully, Charlotte pursed her lips.

“I don’t know how to go on.”

She shoved both hands beneath the table, clearly ready to give up entirely.

Vivian couldn’t blame her. It must be those feelings she couldn’t express—having to whisper false affection to someone while her heart belonged to another.

But marriage wasn’t always founded on love. Vivian had been taught that love naturally blossomed once two became husband and wife, and she wanted to comfort Charlotte by saying this pain was only temporary. Yet, she lacked the courage to pour oil on Charlotte’s wounds by mentioning the man she loved while Charlotte was steeped in despair.

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