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Please God, please...

Oh, how she would beg for him to stay with her forever!

She just needed this one last chance for Willem to come back so she could tell him she understood everything now.

Please God...

Please...

Please...

But it was as if she had been too cruel in her desire for vengeance.

No matter what she did, he was only getting further away and away.

In the distance, she saw the billionaire waylaid by an acquaintance, and hope flared anew.She was going to catch him now, Serenity thought feverishly. She forced her leg to work double time, and ill-used muscles and tendons began to strain, stretch—-

She was just about to reach him, her fingers almost grazing the billionaire’s back—-

Someone shoved her from behind, and she fell.

For the last time.

This time, her leg had completely given out, the strength of her pain telling her she could permanently cripple herself if she tried moving too fast again.

This time, she sobbed, quietly, desolately, knowing that she had gambled and...lost.

He had hurt her, and she had hurt him back.

It should not have been that way, but the billionaire had allowed it to happen.

It should have been enough, but she had wanted more.

And now he was lost to her—-

“Sere?”

Her head shot up.

It was Willem.

He was crouched down in front of her, his face ashen as he stared at her. His bodyguards, including her favorites Mr. Smit and Mr. Molen, circled them to ensure their privacy.

“W-Willem?” For one second, she wondered deliriously if she was still dreaming. She reached for his face, and when he caught her hand to bring it to his lips, she began to sob. “Willem.” She sobbed his name over and over, and even when he pulled her into his arms, she could not stop.

“I’m sorry, Willem. I’m sorry. I was so scared of being hurt again.” She was babbling, unable to stem the panic inside her, which told her he would disappear if she didn’t explain. “I wanted revenge even when I shouldn’t. I wanted to hurt you the way you hurt me. I wanted you—-”

The billionaire kissed her.

“It’s okay,engel,” he whispered against her lips.

When he pulled away, his eyes were suspiciously bright.

Her heart shattered one last time, and her voice cracked as she whispered, “I love you, Willem.”

He answered by offering her a ring, and at her nod, he slipped it on her finger. He took out the shoes, and she nodded even as she cried. He took off her shoes and replaced it with his. And before she knew what he was doing, he had already bent down to place a kiss on each of her feet.

I love you, my beautiful ice princess.