The Love that Never Really Dies (Sasha and Sebastian)
Chapter 1434

Chapter 1434 The Truth

The wine was soon served. After pouring Aoi a glass, Solomon waited for her to speak.

“I know Ichika did some extreme stuff at your house yesterday and even ran away last night. That'smainly what I want to talk to you about today.”

"Go ahead,” said Solomon. He took a sip of wine and nodded at her.

Aoi began to speak. “I'm wondering, Mr. Akiyama, if you remember the time when you first came toJetroina?”

"Huh?" Solomon looked up at her abruptly, surprised by the question.

A gloomy look came into his eyes, revealing his reluctance in discussing the subject.

“What about it?”

“I'm sorry for bringing this up, but I was hoping you would recall the time when you'd just enteredyour adoptive father's house. Do you remember a little girl who made you do certain things? Thatlittle girl was, in fact, Ichika.”

For her daughter's sake, the woman no longer wanted to be tormented by the secret and decidedto spit the truth.

As she expected, the moment she finished speaking, the man immediately jerked up his head,staring at her with his face frozen in shock.

Aoi's heart sank when she saw his reaction.

"Yes, that's the truth. Throughout these years, Ichika's always kept a close eye on you and feels sorryfor what she'd done to you back then. That was why, back when your adoptive father came to ourhouse with the marriage proposal, my eldest daughter said no when she saw that he wasrepresenting you, but Ichika stood out for you.”

She had decided to spill the whole truth now, sparing no details, including this one.

She really hoped to plead on her daughter's behalf. After all, the girl was only eight back then. Howcould such a little girl have known any better?

Back then, Ichika was brought there by her parents. Hidden behind the curtains, she becameimpatient after a long time waiting and could not wait to go home.

When she realized the banquet was not ending simply because the guests could not stop fussingover the teenage boy, she was struck with the thought of how she usually dismissed the servants athome. Thus, she scolded the teenage boy and made him wash her feet while kneeling before her,just like a servant.

After that, she was brought home. Only after her parents reprimanded her did she understand whata grave mistake she had made.

Aoi's eyes were slightly reddened. “I know how insulting that incident was to you at the time, and Iknow I have no right to plead for forgiveness on Ichika's behalf. But if you could forgive her, I-Iwould be very gratefull”

With that, she bowed her head apologetically.

However, Solomon remained motionless.

He was, at that moment, utterly stunned by the truth that Aoi had just revealed to him. He could notquite wrap his head around the fact that the little girl hidden behind those curtains back then andthe woman he had married was one and the same.

In fact, he was a little furious.

He remembered when Yancy had just relocated him to Jetroina against his will. Back then, he hadnever wanted to become Yamada's adoptive son at all.

After enjoying ten blissful years with the Wands, the last thing he wanted was to go back to thedays where he had to be subservient to others at all times.

Despite that, he was still forced to kneel for ages at the Tsurka residence that day. Toward the end ofthe day, he even had to wash a child's feet and bow to the child as well.

For a long time after that, those scenes had remained in his heart like an untouchable thorn,festering and breeding hatred.

Aoi waited for his response with her head bowed, but he gave her none.

For almost five minutes, he merely sat there with a terrifying expression on his face, completelysilent and still.

Suddenly, Aoi's eyes dulled as she finally understood what his reaction meant.

Not wanting to disturb him any further, she got up and politely excused herself.

Resigned to the fact that the situation was simply beyond salvation, she returned to the temple.Just as she expected, Ichika, who had proclaimed she would devote herself to prayer, had beenanxiously waiting for her return the whole time.

She turned toward Aoi eagerly. However, upon seeing her returning alone, she immediately caughton.

Lowering her gaze in disappointment, she turned away from her mother just as a single teardrop fellfrom her eyes and trickled down her cheek.

“Ichika...” Aoi's heart ached at the sight of her.

Sitting down beside her, Aoi could only try to comfort the girl as best as she could. “Perhaps he hasa hard time accepting the truth right now. Give him some time. I'm sure he“ll come in another twodays.”

“It's all right, Mom," replied Ichika, forcing a smile through her tears. “I did something wrong. It'sonly right that I stay here and repent. You can go home now.”

With that said, she picked up the scripture in front of her and began reading it.

Aoi watched her speechlessly, full of sadness and regret at the way things had turned out.However, since there was nothing else she could do, she eventually left and headed home.

For the following two days, just like Ichika predicted, only silence ensued in the temple. No onecame to visit her, nor did she receive a single phone call or text.