Time Remaining: 2 days, 1 hour, 15 seconds
Inside his residence, Igaris glanced at the countdown of their current dive.
Time flew by like drifting stardust, something he could neither feel nor see.
The current dive was nearing its end, so he had to prepare to leave temporarily.
Shirley was inside his room, pouting.
"So, where is the woman everyone is talking about, Igaris?" she asked, jealousy thick in her tone.
"She is outside... She’ll be here any moment," he replied calmly.
"And who is she to you?" she continued to probe.
"She is my life, just like you are..." he said with genuine gentleness.
Shirley, however, didn’t fall for his charm this time. Her eyes turned red after hearing the truth.
She sniffed and said,
"I thought you would be better than those men who just want a harem, but I see you’re no different, Igaris. You’ve changed."
She turned away, her heart heavy with sorrow.
Igaris stood silent, watching her with quiet eyes. The numbers on the countdown ticked away in the background, but his attention was entirely on Shirley.
He took a slow breath. "I haven’t changed, Shirley. At least, not in the way you think."
She didn’t respond. Her back remained turned, her fingers tightening into the folds of her sleeve.
"I never wanted a harem. I never set out to collect hearts like trophies. But love doesn’t always wait for permission. It finds you in your weakest moments and binds you in ways you never expect."
Shirley’s shoulders trembled slightly.
"I love you, Shirley. I always will. That hasn’t changed, and it never will. But I can’t lie to you and say I only love you. Not anymore. Not after everything I’ve seen, everything I’ve lived through."
She turned her head slightly, just enough to glance at him from the corner of her eyes. "Then why her? Why now?"
"Because she was there when everything fell apart. She picked up the pieces I couldn’t carry. Just like you did. But in a different way. You both saved me."
Shirley bit her lip. "Then what am I supposed to be to you now?"
He walked toward her and gently placed a hand over hers.
"You are not second to anyone. You are a part of me, just like she is. I cannot erase one for the other. And the truth is, you two are not the only ones fated to me for eternity. There are others. But all I can say is that I will love you all equally."
Shirley turned back in a swift motion, her eyes reddening with anger.
"What do you mean there are others? Are you really a perverted sicko, Igaris? Did I truly misjudge your character? Was it my fault for falling in love with you?"
Igaris sighed and sat beside her. Then, without warning, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her into a gentle embrace. His hands rested softly on her stomach as he inhaled her sweet scent.
She squealed in protest, but his quiet whisper stilled her.
"Listen to me closely, Shirley. It’s time I told you the truth. The real reason behind my sudden change of heart."
As he spoke, gradually revealing the truth of the future timeline, Shirley’s eyes widened with disbelief.
She remained quiet, her expression slowly softening as she listened.
"I admit," he continued with a faint smile, "I was once a pervert who wanted many women. But all twenty-six of you had won my heart. They were not shallow relationships. They were deep, spiritual connections. I loved you all equally... and I still do."
Shirley’s lips quivered. Her eyes welled with tears, though she blinked them away quickly. Then, after a moment of silence, she answered in a hushed, emotional tone:
"I understand now, Igaris. If what you’re saying is true, then I won’t be an unreasonable woman. Even though I wanted to have you all to myself... I’ll make a compromise. Just for you. Because I can’t live without you."
She leaned back slightly, pressing against his chest, letting his warmth soothe her heart.
"I know. You’re the most understanding woman, I have seen."
Before Shirley could reply, the door creaked open. A cool breeze entered with the quiet steps of Evernight, who walked in with composed grace.
She stopped a few paces from them, glancing between the two.
"Did I interrupt something important?" she asked, voice smooth as still water. She already knew about his future relations, so she was not bothered. But still, there was smell of gunpowder in the air.
Shirley turned to face her fully. "No. You’re just in time."
The two women locked eyes. One with old sorrow and patience. The other with young fire and wounded pride.
Igaris calmly stepped in between before things became too awkward.
"Evernight, this is Shirley O’Brien. And Shirley, this is Calypso. You can also call her Evernight," he said, introducing them both with a steady, composed smile.
Evernight was the first to extend her hand, a graceful smile on her face.
"Fufufu, Shirley. I’ve heard about you. We will be seeing each other a lot from now on."
Shirley hesitated slightly before reaching out her smaller hand to shake Evernight’s. The moment their palms met, she felt the immense, suppressed power and the ancient aura radiating from Evernight.
She was beautiful, elegant, and powerful. More than Shirley herself.
That realization stung, but it also lit a fire within her. Quietly, she clenched her other fist behind her back.
She had made progress, but it was not enough. Not yet. She had to become stronger. She could not afford to fall behind this vixen.
"Darling!" Evernight suddenly called out to Igaris in a deliberately seductive tone.
Igaris jolted slightly at the term, but he sighed as he realized she was doing it on purpose to tease Shirley.
Just as he expected, Shirley bit her lip, visibly flustered by the coquette’s bold and flirtatious tone.
But he was helpless in this situation.
"Yes? What is it, Evernight?" he asked, trying to maintain a neutral voice.
"You see, your new recruit seems to be having a bit of trouble," she said with a teasing smile. "That old man, what was his name again? Ah, yes. Old man Jian summoned you. Go and grace them with your divine presence, Darling."