novelxo Chapter 624
Despite it being broad daylight, Hesper felt as if she had seen a ghost.
"Hesper, I didn't know what love was in the past and I owe you a lot. So now it's time for me to love you." Rickard's voice slowly wafted into her ears across the gate. Rather than saying that he was confessing to her, it was more appropriate to say he was giving his last words.
"Ever since I was born, I've lived to become a qualified heir for the Duvals. I know you have many things you want to do and people you want to see. In my eyes, your life is more valuable to me than my own." "You don't know what love is?" Juniper interrupted, her voice was trembling. "Then what about me? What am I to you, Rickard?"
Rickard paused briefly before replying in a detached tone, "Do you really not understand why we started dating? Who was it that sent flowers to my father's grave every month? And who was it that carried me out of the cemetery in the rain when I collapsed in front of my father's grave?"
Hesper's eyes widened in disbelief as she turned around to look at Juniper.
During her time with the Duvals, she had performed several actions in secrecy due to her hidden admiration for Rickard. One of these actions included paying tribute to Rickard's father every month, while silently hoping that Rickard would notice her affections towards him.
Hesper chanced upon Rickard at the cemetery on the day of his father's death anniversary. Afraid of being seen, she hid instead. To her surprise, it began to rain heavily, but Rickard remained by his father's grave, refusing to leave until he collapsed.
It was Hesper who carried him away from the cemetery and walked several miles down the mountain. When she returned, she had a high fever for several days.
Upon her recovery, Hesper learned that Rickard and Juniper had started a relationship.
Hesper had never thought that there was a connection between these two things, as the things she did for Rickard in secret were not just one or two.
"Also, I'm sure you know better than anyone else why Hesper drank spiked wine that night," Rickard continued.
Juniper could not bring herself to look at Hesper, and Hesper's eyes began to redden with anger and sadness. It was all because of Juniper-she had used underhanded tactics to steal Rickard from Hesper, and it was her fault that they had suffered such a tragic fate.
'Juniper...'
Juniper took a few deep breaths after Rickard had exposed her then smiled. "So you knew everything. But I really like you, Rickard. Can't you see that?"
"Stop wasting time. Let Hesper go. I'll die in her stead." After he had finished speaking, he plunged the knife into his own stomach and let out a muffled groan. "No! Rickard!"
Hesper suddenly mustered up her strength and broke free from Juniper's grip. She tried to open the iron door as she watched Juniper walking calmly towards her from behind, arms folded and a cold gaze fixed on her.
"Stop wasting your energy. Only I can open this gate."
Hesper did not believe in her. She pounded the gate a few times but to no avail. When she realized that Juniper was telling the truth, she slid down the gate and sat on the ground.
"Rickard, you don't have to save me." Hesper paused, tears welling up in her eyes, but her voice sounded calm. "I've been lying to you all this time. I haven't liked you for a long time. I only came back to get my revenge. I was just using you to exact my revenge on your mother and sister. I wanted to push you into the abyss... Don't you already know all this?"
"I don't care," Rickard said. "I was the one who mistreated you. I owe you too much."
Hesper sneered. "Your love only makes me sick. What right do you have to love me, to say these things to me, and to die for me?"
Juniper looked down on Hesper without saying a word.
"Everything you're saying now is ridiculous to me. If I can get out of here alive, I'll spread the news that Mr. Duval is hopelessly in love with me," Hesper continued. "You're like a little lapdog, playing right into my hands and willing to die for me."