He Never Loved Me Until the Day I Finally Left Him novel Chapter 449

Looking at her broken state, he finally recognized the terrifying depth of her resolve to escape him.

His frantic heartbeat began to slow, replaced by a cold, dreadful clarity.

His dark gaze locked onto her pale face. "Are you really that determined to leave me?"

He fired the question without hesitation.

He refused to break eye contact.

He didn't even know if he was hoping for a denial or just a definitive end.

His hands, still buried in his pockets, clenched so hard his knuckles turned white.

She was remarkably calm, answering without missing a beat. "Yes. I just want to get away from you."

Every syllable rang with undeniable sincerity.

She didn't even try to flinch away from his predatory gaze.

He could taste her absolute, reckless desperation.

He might have dragged her back from the ledge tonight, but she would leap again tomorrow.

It was a fatal, uncompromising resolution.

"Fine. I'll let you go," he stated deeply, burying every shred of his own chaotic emotions.

She simply continued to stare at him, unblinking.

She probably didn't believe a single word coming out of his mouth.

She waited for the inevitable catch.

"You can leave. But you are not taking Hope's Ashes with you," he commanded, dropping his final trump card.

He knew her baby was the only thing she had left to care about.

He thought using the ashes would force her to fall to her knees and beg.

Instead, she didn't even bat an eye.

She just smiled at him—a serene, almost pitying smile.

It was as if he had just told the funniest joke in the world.

"Sebastian, let me ask you something. What possible use do you have for her ashes?" she asked matter-of-factly.

"According to the superstitions around here, a baby that dies that young is a curse. No one would ever keep the remains in their home."

Death wasn't the scariest thing in the world.

The scariest thing was when the last person who remembered you died. That was true erasure.

She had finally seen the truth.

Even without the ashes, she could set up a beautiful memorial somewhere far away. Whenever she missed her baby, she could just visit the plaque.

Armed with that realization, her inner peace was indestructible.

Sebastian was utterly paralyzed by her complete detachment.

For the first time in his life, he was the one backed into a corner.

He had completely lost his grip on her.

And he knew with terrifying certainty that if he pushed her even an inch further, the next time he saw her, it would be in a body bag.

He had never actually fulfilled a single promise he made to her.

He could lock her in a cage, but what was the point if she just stopped breathing?

"You really want to leave?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly under the crushing weight of defeat.