Keith Antony said, "That's because at the time, you hadn't realized that your intense desire to keep Miss Alice by your side was actually due to caring for her, not the pity and sympathy you thought you felt."
Chester Robinson rasped out to himself, "I was afraid that if I told her the truth, she would leave me, so I never told her the truth. I kept deceiving her with those three words 'I love you.'
"But in fact, you couldn't be without Miss Alice back then because you had already fallen in love with her. However, since you always longed to be with Miss Quentin, each time you recognized your care for Miss Alice, you didn't consider it love. As a result, Miss Alice never found sufficient security with you, leading to the situation you both face today."
Chester Robinson took up the glass and drank another sip of white wine, his voice becoming even more hoarse as he said, "If only I had recognized my feelings before seeking her out, perhaps there wouldn't be today's predicament."
