Chapter 231 - Ch. 231 It's Not Your Fault

Even though it's been almost nine years and Roxy's mood was getting better, Roxy's heart still hurts whenever she recalled her mother's words.

Her tears dripped down Declan's shirt, making Roxy wanted to wipe her tears. But before she wiped her cheeks, Declan had moved his thumb to wipe away her tears.

"It's my fault," Roxy confessed without lifting her head. Instead, she snuggled deeper as if she wanted to hide her face. "She died because of my selfishness. I don't even feel worthy of calling myself her sister."

Declan gently patted Roxy's shoulder in his arms while whispering firmly. "It's not your fault."

"Everyone thinks it is."

"No one can avoid calamity, Roxy. No one is at fault in this. Stop blaming yourself."

"But…"

"Roxy, are you going to set what people think of you? Aren't you the kind of person who doesn't care what people think of you?"

"But I still can't forgive myself."

"Then learn to do it. I know it's not easy but try it. Whatever happens, I will be here with you until you can accept yourself."

"..." Roxy didn't make a sound and just gripped Declan's shirt as if her life depended on it.

'Accept yourself?' How could Declan know that she was disgusted with herself?

She used her other alter as a hiding place. She was even willing to disappear and let her second alter take over her body for good.

Roxy was willing to appear only because Declan wanted her to be herself when she was with him. If she hadn't met Declan… If only Declan hadn't loved her or she loved him so much, Roxy might never have come out of her shell.

Even though she feels ashamed of herself for being so imperfect, Roxy was willing to get out of her shell because Declan asked her, and she wanted to be with him.

Nevertheless, Roxy couldn't shake off her negative thoughts because of her selfish self. And because of her selfishness, she lost her beloved little sister.

Because of her selfishness, Roxy made her father retire, and they all moved to North America. She had even troubled Rothbert, Gwen, and Nicolau to help with her mental recovery.

She knew Declan was telling her to forgive herself and accept herself, but that was very hard to do.

Whether that calamity would have happened or not, were it not for her selfishness, she would not have abandoned her sister alone. At least, she would die with her.

At least, she would not hear such hurtful words from her mother.

Roxy remained silent without uttering a word causing Declan to sigh in resignation.

He straightened himself and came face to face with Roxy. As the girl avoided his gaze, Declan brought her chin up to look at him.

"Don't avoid me," he asked gently. "I am not supposed to say this, but I can't bear to see you like this."

Roxy looked at Declan in confusion while wondering what he wanted to tell her.

"The plane crash was not an accident. Someone orchestrated it."

Roxy's temple frowned when she heard that unexpected remark from him. "What? What are you talking about?" Roxy thought she had heard wrong and was dreaming.

"It was planned, my love. I only found out when secretly investigating your past and going to Folkland Island. The accident wouldn't have happened if you didn't get on the plane or delay your departure. But whatever plane you're on will explode no matter if you leave today or tomorrow."

"I… I don't understand."

"They targeted you, but don't blame yourself on that. If you want to blame someone, blame that evil person who had evil intent toward you and your family."

"What?" Roxy still couldn't believe that the plane crash wasn't an accident.

"Anyway, everything that happened wasn't your fault. I'm sure your sister doesn't want you to spend the rest of your life blaming yourself either."

"Did… my father know about it?"

"Not only your father, your mother and your cousin also know about it. I've spoken to them, and they wish you well."

"But it is not possible. My mother…"

"She was indeed at fault, but what can we do if she did something wrong. Your mother is not a perfect human being, neither am I and everyone else. I don't quite remember who said it to me, but I will tell you. Everyone has experienced a big storm in their life to do things they regret for the rest of their lives. But when the storm subsides, that person will see a rainbow and prepare for a new leaf."

Roxy lowered her head with a frown.

"Don't hate your mother."

"I wish I could hate her, but… I never hate her. It just… hurts me to see her."

Declan held his wife in his arms while hugging her back gently. "That's enough. Let's wait for your wound to heal first."

Roxy didn't say anything and looked up to observe the man's expression. Declan noticed it and smiled gently at her.

"What is it?"

"After hearing all this, you still prioritize my feelings? I don't know if you've been blinded by love or you're stupid."

Declan chuckled hearing that. "I think the only person in the world who dares to call me stupid is you. And for your answer, I think I have been blinded by love, but I'm not stupid. The plane crash wasn't your fault. That is an undeniable fact."

"But, if I had not left her, I could have accompanied her through all…."

"Now you're the stupid one."

"..." Roxy stared dagger at Declan as she protests. How could she be stupid now?

"If you get on the plane and go with your sister, how else would we meet?"

"..." damn, this guy. "How about the culprit? Did my father catch him?"

"I don't know. I heard that when your father found the person, he found him dead. They suspect the body was only a pawn."

So… the real culprit still hasn't been caught? Is that why her father allowed her to use Kaylee's identity and erase her photo from the internet?