Mer Chu turned his tear-streaked face toward her, his eyes red and swollen. "How can I calm my mind, Mei? Everything I believed, everything I hoped for... it's all a lie."
Mei's expression softened with empathy. "The heart can endure much, Master. But you must take care of yourself first. Jiho's past does not diminish her feelings for you now."
Mer Chu shook his head, frustration and sorrow mingling in his gaze. "I don't know if I can accept it, Mei. How can I compete with the memories of her husbands?"
Mei poured a cup of tea and handed it to him. "You must find strength within yourself, Master. Love is not about competition. It's about acceptance and understanding. If you truly love Jiho, you will find a way to come to terms with her past."
He took the cup with trembling hands, the warmth of the tea a small comfort against the chill of his despair. As he sipped it slowly, Mei continued to speak, her voice a soothing balm.
