Chapter 10 Eleanor's voice was trembling . " It's okay . " I reassured her quickly . " It's no trouble . It was bound to happen eventually . It's not like we could avoid them forever . " [ ] I was truly prepared to face them and clear the air , but I never expected them to arrive so quickly . [ ] That evening , as I stepped out of the studio , I saw two figures leaning against a tree , smoking in the twilight . [ ] One was gaunt , the other deathly pale . [ ] Slumped there in the shadows , they looked like a pair of vengeful ghosts . [ ] Especially Gideon . The moment he saw me , his eyes lit up like a starving dog spotting a bone , and he lunged toward me . [] Startled . I immediately took two steps back , staring at him as if he were a madman . [ ] Realizing his mistake , he froze , not daring to move closer . [ ] " Don't be scared , please don't be scared ! I'm sorry , that was reckless of me . I just missed you so much , Aura . " ] Goosebumps erupted on my skin . " Don't call me that , Mr. Bernard . Aurora will do . " [ ] The formal address made his face turn two shades paler . [ His lips moved , but for a long moment , no sound came out . Felix , standing behind him , grew impatient and gave him a shove . [ ] " Aurora , I'm sorry . I'm so , so sorry . I know it's too late for apologies , I know that ! But please , just give us another chance . Come back with us . Let us make it up to you , okay ? " I watched him nervously wringing his hands and could only find the whole situation absurd . ] Go back ? Make it up to me ? [ ] In over twenty years , I'd never heard such a ridiculous joke . [ ] I couldn't help it , I laughed out loud . [ ] expression They both flinched , their expressions growing even more tense . " What kind of joke is that , Mr. Durand ? Whose brother are you ? I don't have a brother , so please don't mistake me for your sister . " : " 0 He didn't argue . He just stood there , two steps away , looking dazed , his eyes cast down as the dim yellow streetlight stretched his shadow into a distorted shape . [ ] I was still a bit taken aback . He was so much thinner , his cheeks were actually sunken . [ ] He kept his head lowered and spoke as softly as he could . [ ] " Aurora , I know you're angry . I'm sorry . I never , ever should have lost my temper and thrown that wine on you . " [ ] " I shouldn't have bullied you , I shouldn't have yelled at you . I've been looking for you , but I also had a new wedding dress custom - made for you . Please , just forgive me and come home , okay ? " ] His words sounded sincere enough , but strangely , they didn't stir a single ripple of emotion in me . What he owed me , the ways he had wronged me , was it really just about that one glass of wine ? [ ] I looked at his face and realized , with a jolt , that it was completely unfamiliar . ] ne . In my memory , the grown up Felix always had a furrowed brow when he looked at me , his eyes filled with suspicion and disappointment . [ ] When had he ever worn such a peaceful , gentle expression ? ] It was as if we were kids again . [ ] I gave a self - deprecating laugh . " This has to be a dream . Either you're dreaming , or I am . " [ ] " Felix , don't look at me like that . I almost don't recognize you . " [ ]