Impulsive Vow to an Enigmatic Husband novel Chapter 1762

This time, he raised his glass with a solemn cheer, "Here's to you having the freedom to follow your heart, and may your days be filled with nothing but happiness."

Skyler clinked her glass against his, "Thanks. I genuinely hope you find that special someone to share your life with."

The one he yearned to spend his life with had always been her. During the three years she had feigned her death, it was the faint hope that she might still be alive that drove him to search for her relentlessly. Without that hope, he likely would have crumbled long ago.

"Skyler, if only you could give me a chance to start over," Zavier's heart was shouting, but the words wouldn't breach his lips.

He could only hide his bitterness, forcing a carefree smile, "So, have you had many suitors over these years?"

Skyler teased, "How could there not be? Look at me—pretty as a picture, with a steady job, and my own little slice of heaven at the farm. The line of hopefuls stretches from the village all the way to the town."d2

Zavier chuckled, "Even back in our school days, you had a crowd of guys after you. I still remember on the day of the basketball game, there was that one fellow who tried to win you over."

"You have quite the memory. Funny, mine's gotten so bad. I can barely recall so much of the past. Sometimes, it feels like those events happened in another lifetime," Skyler said, her voice trailing off into a distant tone.

Zavier felt a fresh sting in his heart. It was his own doing that had caused her memory to fade. He longed to ask if she remembered Iris, but he dared not.

Burdened with guilt, he had made sure to take good care of her little sister. Now Iris was studying at Capital College, pursuing a major she loved. She had grown from a little girl into a poised young woman. In her junior year, she was only a year away from graduation.

She worked as hard as Skyler had and bore a striking resemblance to Skyler in her youth. Sometimes, watching Iris brought back the painful memory of how Skyler had been forced to leave school in her junior year because of him.

What he had done to Skyler was inexcusable.

"You've gone quiet on me. If you don't feel like talking, let's dig in. The food's all fresh and organic from my farm. Eat up," Skyler broke the silence.

Zavier took a deep breath, then asked, "With all these admirers, isn't there anyone you fancy?"

Skyler smiled wryly, "You want the truth?"

Zavier nodded earnestly.

Skyler answered with just a few words, "I'm scared."

She didn't specify what scared her, but Zavier understood all too well. How could she dare to love another man after being so deeply wounded by one?

Intense waves of pain stabbed at Zavier's heart one after another. He took a deep breath, avoiding her gaze, and looked outside, "Sounds like thunder. We might be in for some rain."

Skyler replied softly, "Good. It's after the rain that you see rainbows."

In the middle of the night, where would you find a rainbow? She was talking about her own life.

Zavier clenched his fists tightly, then released them, "Well, I should probably get going before it pours."

"Take care." Skyler called after him.

Zavier stood up and took a couple of steps towards the door before halting. He turned back, and despite trying to hold back, tears welled up in his eyes, "Skyler, can I... can I hold you one more time?"

Skyler opened her arms wide, "Of course."

Zavier approached her gingerly, wrapping his arms around her. Her familiar scent enveloped him, stirring memories he cherished, but he had to let go, "Take care of yourself, Skyler."

"You too." she replied warmly.

Zavier turned and shuffled away, each step heavier than the last.

Skyler watched his retreating figure, looking so weary, and tears she hadn't noticed began to fall.