Nana Macy's expression froze on her face.
Michael Lees, who had been standing by the window, turned around, his dark eyes calmly gazing at Nana Macy.
"When you left back then, rationally I should have been angry and dissatisfied. That's what analysis told me, and I indeed acted that way... just thinking it was the right thing to do, so I did it."
"Actually, back then, what I truly felt inside... was relief and gratitude."
"It was an unprecedented lightness, as if a shackle of many years suddenly lifted."
Nana Macy stared at him in a daze.
"When I heard about the school reunion, the first face that flashed in my mind was another. I heard you'd show up, so I conveniently had a reason to attend the reunion..."
"Another face... are you talking about Isabella Harrison?"
Nana Macy slowly asked.
Michael Lees looked down at her and did not deny it.
"Yes."
"..."
"If I didn't want to, I wouldn't give anyone the opportunity to come near me..."
