Chapter 256: Chapter 256: Will He Shoot Her Dead?

Prince Hale raised a hand, pulling down his face mask. With his other hand, he took three of her fingers, slowly bowing his head to press a polite kiss to the back of her hand.

As if she had been violated, Claire Sinclair reflexively snatched her hand back.

Even though she knew it was a common foreign custom, she found it hard to accept.

Prince Hale didn’t seem to mind her withdrawal. A charming smile graced the corner of his lips. "You look identical to your sister. I almost thought you were her. I miss her so much."

This time, he spoke in English.

Claire Sinclair’s English was limited to computer-related vocabulary; her conversational skills were poor, so she could only make out the general meaning.

’So this Prince Hale was also one of my sister’s admirers...’

"I’m sorry, but my sister has already been laid to rest. If you want to see her, the only place to go is the cemetery."

"That’s a fine idea, actually. Let us go."

Claire was speechless. She wanted to slap herself.

’He was the prince of a nation! He’d just arrived in Aridia, and she was about to take him to a cemetery? If the president found out, would he have her shot?’

’No, I have to change the plan.’

Claire quickly changed her tune. "His Highness Prince Hale, you must be tired. Would you like to get something to eat first?"

"I would like to see your sister first. I haven’t seen her in two years, and I miss her very much."

"Very well, then..."

Claire hadn’t been to that place in a long time, either.

No one knew how much courage it took for her to stand before her sister’s gravestone.

Half an hour later, Prince Hale got his wish and stood before Quinn Sinclair’s gravestone.

Just as he was about to say a few words, Claire suddenly collapsed to her knees before the gravestone, her face a mask of agony.

She had never told anyone that whenever she was at her sister’s grave, her legs would simply give out. It was like a curse; she had no control over it at all.

"Sis..." she pleaded, her voice hoarse. "I’m sorry it’s been so long... I’m sorry... I’m sorry... I’m sorry..."

She apologized again and again as tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.

It was just like two years ago. After all the guests had left, her father had stood in this very spot, before her sister’s grave, and cursed her viciously with words too awful to hear.

"You useless trash, why wasn’t it you who died!"

"Your sister’s dead, so what am I keeping you around for? You should go die too, you useless thing!"

"Useless thing, what’s the point of you even being alive...?"

Those cruel, heartless words echoed in her mind, impossible to forget. She didn’t know how to respond, other than to apologize.

Seeing her clutching her head and sobbing, Prince Hale realized what a foolish decision he had made. His heart ached, and he instinctively knelt beside her, pulling her into his arms.

"Don’t cry, Little Cutie."

"I’m sorry... I’m sorry..." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

She just kept apologizing, and nothing he said could stop her.

Prince Hale frowned slightly. He had heard that the bond between twins is unique; when one of them dies, the survivor bears a much heavier burden of grief.

’Her bond with her sister must have been incredibly deep for her to break down so suddenly.’

’Clearly, they couldn’t stay here any longer.’

Unable to bear seeing the beautiful woman so heartbroken, Prince Hale lifted her into his arms and turned to leave.

Claire was still lost in her painful past, unable to escape. Eventually, she fell asleep in his arms.

In the understated luxury of the private car, Prince Hale held the girl’s soft, pliant body, admiring her beautiful face as he had the driver circle the city again and again...