Melody of Strength novel

Chapter 515

Samuel returned to the manor on Hibiscus Lane and immediately went to rinse his mouth, spitting out the blood. He couldn’t let Ruby worry.

In Hibiscus Lane, there were only two shop servants–one in the kitchen, and the other likely attending to Ruby.

Samuel used the cold water in the dining room to rinse his mouth, feeling a sharp pain throbbing in his head. The left side of his mouth felt as though it were splitting open, and he had to endure the pain for a while before he could force back his tears.

Leona was so ruthless. She had her husband beaten time and again.

Samuel had been blinded by her gentle and mild demeanor, not realizing how jealous she truly was.

Her cousin, the Hell Monarch’s princess consort, was just like her–they were one and the same.

He had been beaten, and both his grandmother and father would surely know. So, he had an excuse to leave in anger. If he were asked to return again, he wouldn’t go back so easily.

“Bill, bring me that handkerchief…” he called out, before remembering that Bill had not come with him from Gracehold Estate.

Bill’s bond papers were with his mother, and she had forbidden him from coming.

Years of living in luxury and privilege had made him feel that his current situation was unbearably shabby and pitiful.

He recalled his early days as a top scholar and then marrying a duchess and becoming her consort. Although he was just starting his career, everyone said his future was limitless. Yet, the grandeur of those days had only made his current situation seem more desolate.

After rinsing his mouth and wiping his face clean, he headed towards Moonlit Hall.

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Upon entering, he saw a bag on the table. Ruby had her back to him, dressed he table. Ruby had her back to him, dressed neatly with hairpins in her hair. She wore the apricot–yellow embroidered pleated dress from when he had brought her home.

“Ruby!” Samuel called out, embracing her from behind and kissing her cheek.” Whose bag is this?”

Celeste slowly pushed him away. Her face, no longer gentle and charming, seemed to have frozen over with a layer of frost. “I’m not Ruby. My name is Celeste.”

Samuel’s arm suddenly felt empty. He stared blankly. “But to me, Celeste and Ruby are the same.”

Celeste stood up, her eyes as cold as ice. “Whatever.”

Samuel’s heart sank. “Ruby, what’s wrong?”

Celeste picked up the bag and said flatly, “I waited for you to return to say goodbye. From now on, we’ll go our separate ways.”

Samuel was completely shocked, and his expression froze. “What are you saying?”

Celeste looked at him. Her once tender eyes were now like shards of ice. “I’m saying that our relationship ends here.”

“W–Why?” he stammered, his lips trembling. He grabbed Celeste’s arm desperately. “Did someone from Gracehold Estate come? Did someone from the duchess‘ side come? Did they bully you? Did they force you to leave me?”

He clumsily tried to hold her close. “Don’t worry about what they say or do. won’t leave you. I absolutely won’t abandon you!”

Celeste rolled her eyes, clearly fed up. “I’m the one who doesn’t want you. Look at yourself now. You’ve lost your official position and your title as heir. You’ll never inherit the title again. All you have is the fame of a top scholar, which is worthless now. The entire capital knows about your reputation for favoring your concubine over your wife. You’re so desperate to find a mentor, but even they wouldn’t want you because of your tarnished character.”

Samuel was devastated. He couldn’t believe the woman before him had

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become so cold and unfamiliar. His heart felt like it was being torn apart.

“But who did I do all that for? It was all for you.”

“So what? Am I supposed to feel grateful?” Celeste shot him a disdainful look.” I could say today’s departure was due to pressure from your family, the duchess, or even the Hell Monarch’s princess consort, but I can’t be bothered.

“You were born into privilege, with an inheritance to look forward to. Yet, you spend every day railing against the very power you enjoy. It’s hypocritical. If you were just an ordinary person, would you dare speak so recklessly? You’re just someone who enjoys the benefits and then complains about them. I despise people like you. Don’t come looking for me again!”

With that, Celeste strode out.

Samuel ran after her. “You said you loved me!”

Celeste didn’t even glance back. “I lied, you worthless fool!”

The harsh words from the one he loved shattered Samuel completely. He felt the world spinning and darkness closing in. Then, he collapsed to the ground.