He Traded My Trauma for Her Redemption - Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Through his drunken, hazy vision, Cassian spent a passionate night with the woman who had come to him.
It wasn't until the first rays of morning sunlight streamed through the window that he finally saw clearly that the woman from last night was Tessa.
Tessa leaned weakly against Cassian’s chest, her delicate body fitting perfectly in his embrace.
She spoke in a soft, sweet voice, "Cassian, I heard everything you said last night. Leona isn't worthy of your love. From now on, let me be the one to stay by your side, okay? I won't be as useless as she was. I promise, I will give you a healthy, adorable child."
This time, Cassian did not lose himself in Tessa's so-called tenderness.
With a swift kick, he sent Tessa tumbling off the bed.
His face was ice-cold as he got up and dressed. "Tessa, you were nothing more than a distraction to me. The only person I've ever loved is Leona. Being with you was just my way of acting out, trying to get back at her. From now on, I'm turning over a new leaf. If you dare show up again and try to sabotage my relationship with her, I won’t go easy on you!"
He tossed a check onto Tessa’s face, then grabbed his coat and walked out without looking back.
Last night, Cassian had finally made up his mind. In this world, he could lose everything, but he could never lose me.
No matter what, he had to find me.
***
After a long journey, I finally returned to my long-lost hometown.
Everything here remained unchanged as if time had pressed pause.
Even after all these years, my hometown looked exactly as I remembered it.
The neighbor was both surprised and delighted to see me.
She warmly helped me tidy up the old house.
“When you got into Central University back then, we were all so happy for you. Looking at you now, you must have made a name for yourself in the big city. At least your grandmother’s efforts weren’t in vain.”
Looking at the kind and loving face of the lady, I couldn't help but lower my head in embarrassment.
I was the first student from this small town to be admitted to a prestigious university.
Back then, everyone, including myself, believed that I was destined for a bright future. I would give my grandmother a good life and would have a happy family.
But fate is unpredictable.
At the crossroads of life, I chose to marry Cassian.
And in doing so, I sacrificed seven years of my youth, along with two lives.
I chatted with the lady for a while, briefly recounting the events that had taken place.
When she learned of my grandmother’s passing, sadness spread across her face.
I couldn't hold back my tears too.
"I always feel like I was the one who killed Grandma. If I had noticed something was wrong with her earlier, if I had hidden the news about the baby's death, if I hadn't married Cassian and had instead worked hard to earn money for her medical treatment, none of this would have happened."
The lady patted my shoulder and pulled me into her embrace. "Actually, your grandma called me once many years ago. She knew you weren’t happy after getting married. She cried and told me she felt sorry for you, that she had burdened you..."
"Leona, you've grown up now and I won’t say much. But no elder would ever stop loving their child. Your grandma wouldn’t blame you. She only wanted you to be happy."
I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably in her arms. I wished I could pour out all the grievances and sorrows I had endured over the past seven years.
After a long cry, I felt much calmer. The regrets of the past could no longer be undone.
Fortunately, though I had been stripped to the bone, I had still managed to break free from that golden cage.