Greg did not understand that Vivian was anything but a foolish girl. Quite the opposite, her way of thinking was extraordinarily efficient, far beyond that of her peers.
She did have many questions.
About Greg's change, about his familiarity with the Dungeon, about his true purpose in inviting her out late at night... every one of those questions had piled up in her heart.
But she also understood that, in their current surroundings, at this particular moment, relentlessly pursuing those questions was not the best course of action. It might even create unnecessary risks or distance between them.
So she chose a question that seemed unrelated but actually went straight to the heart of the matter-do you hate me?
To her, the answer to that question was worth a thousand explanations and promises.
Since Greg had answered no, the other questions automatically became less important in Vivian's logic. For the time being, some no longer even needed to be asked.
He doesn't hate me.
Then, no matter how much he left unsaid in what he told me before, even if there were a few insignificant lies, his underlying intention could never have been to hurt me.
That conclusion stood clear and firm in her mind.
More importantly, through that question and Greg's unhesitating answer, she had confirmed the suspicion gradually taking shape in her heart.
He has never hated me.
Then his distance, his coldness, even the rejection that finally drove us apart... must have had a reason or hidden circumstances I still don't know about.
That realization was like a key, instantly unlocking the heavy shackles around Vivian's heart.
The knot of hurt, self-doubt, and even a trace of resentment that had lingered for so long seemed to dissolve quietly in warm sunlight at that moment, leaving her feeling