She is not an investigator.

Isabella grabbed Igris's body and stood up in a few quick steps, the dagger in her hand almost instantly pressed against Igris's neck.

"You have no choice, you have no choice, Igris! You must... you can no longer refuse me!"

She became angry and agitated, her weapon trembled, and her voice trembled with a hint of sobbing.

She already knew the outcome, and Igris had already explained everything, revealing her feelings, and Igris's response was simple.

They are not suitable.

Because of what?

Because of that damn freedom, that damn desire for control, that damn... damn!

She didn't know that she could disregard everything else, but Igris couldn't leave; she absolutely couldn't leave this place today.

If she leaves, how will Isabella face Igris in the future? How can she possibly have the face to see Igris again?

She firmly believed that she was not a good person, so at times like this, she didn't care about morality or shame. She couldn't lose Igris, never.

No matter the means, no matter the method! As long as we can keep her here, as long as…

Isabella released the unresisting Igris; she had an idea, she had an idea of ​​a solution.

"Igris...Igris, come on, let's make a choice, how about a multiple-choice question?"

Isabella slowly stepped back, looked at Igris who was slowly turning around, and smiled again.

That smile was heartbreaking and saddening.

She gripped the dagger tightly in her hand, pressing it against her neck; her slightly trembling arm betrayed her turbulent emotions.

Her hand trembled, and the sharp dagger, trembling, continued to scrape against her skin, leaving specks of bright red blood.

"My life...or, my love?"

"...Why did you go to such lengths?"

“Shut up! Igris, shut up… You don’t deserve to say these words, just tell me the answer…”

She watched Igris's movements, staring intently at every detail of her body.

Perhaps she was lingering with nostalgia, or perhaps she was praying, hoping that this wouldn't be the last time she saw Igris.

But today there are only two possible outcomes: she dies, or…

"Why, why won't you speak? Igris, what are you hesitating about? Are you afraid of getting your hands stained with blood? How many people have you killed? How many people have died because of you?"

"Isabella..."

"Please don't talk to me...please..."

The smile on her face completely crumbled, and unstoppable tears blurred her vision, making her body tremble even more violently.

Her mind went blank, and she even forgot how to think. The stinging sensation in her neck slowly receded, as if it had gone to a farther place.

It seems someone once said that birds that belong to the sky cannot be bound, whether it is a cage or love that tries to confine them.

Sometimes, in silence, all choices are probably already predetermined.

Love? Or not love?

Igris never understood these things, nor did she want to.

She increasingly felt that everyone around her was suffocating her.

This is not the life she wants, nor is it everything she desires.

"…Feel sorry."

"..."

Haha.

What am I thinking?

People like her, people like her who are liked, people like her who are cold.

Why would they care whether I live or die?

Thoughts ceased, and the cold touch became the entirety of the world.

It had the texture of metal, the edge of a dagger. And the crimson that represented the end.

She wanted to see her beloved one last time, but the empty darkness before her spoke volumes about the cruelty of everything.

"You're such a... bastard..."

The Gods' Folly - Regret: Chapter Thirty-Two, Illusion

What does white taste like?

It might be disinfectant, causing breathing difficulties.

It could also be ice and snow, which still makes it difficult to breathe.

It could also symbolize a tomb, though by then the person was probably already dead.

Isabella was having some difficulty breathing, which made her open her eyes several times.

But she couldn't, because logically speaking, she was already dead.

She slit her own throat with a dagger in that alley, facing that heartbreaking man.

What a hateful fellow.

But Isabella didn't actually hate her that much, although saying that might make her seem brainless, almost losing her life and still not hating her.

But Isabella didn't hate her.

Perhaps because her soul was about to ascend, Isabella's consciousness became exceptionally clear, and her thinking ability recovered considerably.

It wasn't until she calmed down that she realized how outrageous her actions had been.

She clearly had many opportunities, and even if she was rejected, it didn't mean the end of it all.

She could continue to stay by Igris's side, gaining Igris's trust in her own way, and watching over her when she was vulnerable.

She has the time and the patience.

If things continue like this, even if Igris doesn't fall completely in love with her, their relationship will at least be much, much better than it is now.

But perhaps she was blinded by passion, she forgot all thought, became extreme, and became terrifying.

He even ended his own life.

It's ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.

Isabella never imagined she would be so foolish, but things are unpredictable, and after all, she never thought she would love someone so much.

If given the chance… she would like to apologize to Igris again.

Would Igris be willing to listen? Probably not. Threatening someone to like you with your own life is despicable and utterly shameful.

But now... it seems there's no point in saying anything.

She was about to die, to die completely.

She could feel her body becoming lighter and lighter, and she even began to lose some sensation.

She still has a lot to say and a lot to do.

But what she wants most right now is to see Igris again.

Before she died, she didn't have time to look at Igris one last time, which was probably the retribution that she couldn't consciously look at her again at this moment.

Ah, he was about to die, and even this small wish couldn't be fulfilled.

If only I hadn't died...

At least I can see her a little longer.

I wonder... without her watching over her, will Igris be taken away by someone?

But by then, it will probably have nothing to do with her anymore.

Whether Igris can even remember her is a big question.

If only I could forget like this...

I really can't bear to part with it...

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

“You’ve been here for a long time. Her condition has stabilized. You don’t need to stay here any longer.”

“I know, I know… I’m sorry, Olivia, could you perhaps go to the museum to check on me for a bit? I’m afraid I won’t be able to leave today.”

"I already told you she's fine... but since you're my assistant, I didn't have a choice..."

"Thanks……"

Click.

That's the sound of the door closing.

Whose familiar voices are those?

Oh, right.

I remembered.

“Igris…”

"...! I, I'm here... I'm here."

Through the blurry vision, Igris's image slowly emerged, followed by her tightly clenched hand.

"I... I'm not dead?"

"Of course you're not dead, you won't die... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."

Isabella didn't say much; she just widened her eyes slightly, wanting to look at Igris a little longer.

Look at her beautiful face, look at her exquisite figure, look at her slightly reddened eyes.

There were tear stains; she had been crying.

For whom? Me?