Chapter 7

I didn't reply to any of them. After recovering from my injuries, I returned home and began packing my luggage.

Aside from essential documents and personal items, I threw everything else away, leaving nothing behind.

The housekeeper saw this and nervously came over to remind me.

“Miss Aria, Miss Celeste meant for you to move to the basement. Although it doesn't get much sunlight, there's plenty of space. You don't need to throw these things away.”

I looked at the empty room, my voice flat.

“No need. These things won't be used again, so just throw them all away. I'm leaving the country soon and won't be coming back.”

The housekeeper was stunned, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

“You're leaving and not coming back?”

Before she could finish, Julian pushed open the living room door and walked in.

“Who's leaving and not coming back?”

The housekeeper was about to reply when Celeste emerged from the bedroom. “Why are you here so early? I haven't even finished my makeup yet!”

Julian didn't pay attention to them. He walked straight to Celeste's side and playfully poked her nose.

“It's fine, take your time. I can wait for you.”

“I can't get my eyebrows right. You're so good with your hands, help me draw them.”

The two went back to the room, laughing and talking, and closed the door.

I withdrew my gaze, silently pulling my packed suitcase.

For the rest of the day, Julian and Celeste were inseparable, extremely affectionate.

He would personally cook breakfast for her, hold her in his arms, and feed her bite by bite.

He would watch movies with her, explaining the hidden Easter eggs.

He would pull her onto the balcony for a kiss, letting her lipstick smudge on his collar, his eyes and brows filled with an unbreakable tenderness…

The house staff, whenever they witnessed this, would secretly gossip.

“Miss Celeste and Mr. Sterling have such a good relationship! Even though they're not married yet, they're practically a newlywed couple, inseparable for even a moment!”

“Miss Celeste has been pampered since childhood, so she's developed a rather spoiled temper. Now that she's marrying Mr. Sterling, who's so devoted to her, she'll probably be even more unrestrained. She's so lucky!”

“Alas, poor Miss Aria. Not only was she neglected by her family since childhood, but the one person she finally fell in love with happened to be her brother-in-law. They're biological sisters, yet why is she so unlucky?”

Hearing their remarks through the door, I lowered my eyes.

In the past, I had questioned fate countless times, asking why it treated me this way.

But after dying once, I understood a truth: if I had to fight for it, it wasn't truly mine.

This applied to family affection, and to love, as well.

So, I no longer yearned. I only wanted to escape, to never again fall into the mire.

At dinner time, the staff announced that my parents had booked a private room at the Grandview Hotel and that we should eat out.

I intended to find an excuse to refuse, but Celeste forcibly pulled me into the backseat.

Along the way, no matter what Celeste said, Julian would immediately respond.

“Julian, after we get married, how about we go to Europe for our honeymoon? I want to see the Northern Lights, and I want to see fashion shows. You'll have to take lots of photos of me then. I want your phone, computer, and tablet all filled with my selfies, no repeats!”

“Okay. I'll take some photography lessons then, and make sure to capture you at your most beautiful. I'll print the photos and hang them all over my office and study, so whenever I miss you, I just have to look up and see you.”

“Then you must keep your word! When we have a baby later, we can look through photo albums together and reminisce. Oh, how many babies do you want? If it's a boy, he should be tall and handsome like you, but if it's a girl, I think she should be more like me…”

The two chatted back and forth, seemingly forgetting my presence.

I stared blankly at the scenery outside the window, not uttering a sound.

The day Julian had his corrective eye surgery, I, due to the sleeping pills, had a dream.

In the dream, he woke up and the first person he saw was me, and from then on, he had eyes only for me.

He would be by my side constantly, prepare many surprises, and take me on dates to experience this vibrant world.

He would kneel and formally propose to me, walk me down the aisle, and hold me and our child for family photos.

In that dream, I found someone who truly loved me, and I had my own little family.

It was just a pity that after I woke up, everything vanished like a bubble.

I fought with all my might, but in the end, I met a tragic death.

As I was lost in thought, the screech of sudden brakes startled me.

I looked up to see a sports car, seemingly with brake failure, rushing straight towards us.

With a loud crash, the entire car slammed into a bridge pier.

My entire body felt like it was tearing apart. My forehead, arms, and legs were bleeding.

Excruciating pain washed over me. I felt like I was being ripped to shreds, unable to catch my breath.