If not lovers, can we at least be friends after failing to be spouses?

Chelsea's question left Melford at a loss for words.

He pondered deeply. Though he had experienced many romances, he had never been married and thus couldn't grasp an answer. So, he decided to pass the question to Altsin. "What do you say?"

Altsin gazed deeply at Chelsea. Beneath her mocking smile, he seemed to perceive profound sorrow and utter devastation.

He remembered the day he had asked her for a divorce. She had been upset, heartbroken, even humbly pleading, "Can we not do this?"

At that time, he hadn't felt much guilt, only wanting to swiftly...