He tells her not to make trouble...
Guilt and remorse intertwine, making his heart ache to the point of breaking.
He reaches out and pulls Arabella Vanderbilt into his arms, gently pressing his forehead against hers.
"I'm sorry, it's my fault..."
He leans down and kisses her trembling eyelashes, kisses her eyelids, kisses her cheeks, kisses her lips...
As if in urgent need to prove something, desperate for her forgiveness.
Arabella allows him to kiss her, yet she offers no response in return.
She doesn't even know what state of mind to adopt to face this situation now.
"It's my fault... You can be mad at me, you have every right... Hit me, alright? Hm? Just as long as it makes you feel better..."
Arabella remains silent for a long while before she slowly speaks again.
"Someone said I'm too smart..."
At such a close distance between them, Arabella's lifted gaze is mostly filled with helplessness.
