Chapter 7

At seven in the morning, I changed into the clothes Riley brought, sat in a wheelchair, and Riley pushed me out of the hospital.

The moment I got into the car, I felt a sense of lightness I'd never experienced before.

I asked Riley to go to the hotel first to pick up the luggage I'd prepared for myself.

On the way, following my pre-planned itinerary, I used my new, official name, Cora, to purchase all the plane tickets to the Nordic countries, Africa, and the island.

At nine in the morning, the Civil Registry Office opened for the day.

I was the first to pick up my new ID card and passport.

Then, straight to the airport.

I was still recovering, so Riley contacted the airport staff, who escorted me all the way onto the plane.

Riley asked me, "Why did you change your name to Cora?"

Cora. My new name. In my native tongue, it sounded like 'heart dead' – a bitter farewell to my past, and a silent promise to myself that the old 'me' was gone forever.

Just before boarding, Riley said, "Don't worry, I won't breathe a word. Cora, fly high. Go pursue a better life."

As I was going through customs, I received a call from Liam.

He was still as anxious as ever. "Stella, where did you go? You're still injured; how can you just wander off? I'm worried sick!"

I just said, "The morning air was nice, so I asked the nurse to push me downstairs for some fresh air."

Liam sighed. "Stella, the chandelier falling yesterday was an accident. I rushed towards Chloe because she was pregnant; my first instinct was to protect the baby. I just..."

"Enough. No need to explain. I don't want to hear it."

Liam said, "What do you want for breakfast? I'll buy it and bring it to you."

I said, "Could you go home and get something for me?"

"Okay, what is it?"

"In the living room drawer, there's an envelope with a USB drive inside. That's my gift to you."

Liam was delighted. "You prepared a gift for me? Is it a souvenir from your trip?"

"You'll know when you go back and see it."

"Okay, I'll go back and see it now." Liam said, "Stella, I'll definitely treat you doubly well from now on. I'm so happy you prepared a gift for me..."

"Liam."

"Hmm, I'm here."

"Never again."

My voice was ethereal, as if from a distant place.

Liam didn't hear clearly. "Stella, what did you say? Hello?"

But only the hum of the plane's engine filled the phone.

And a gentle female voice: "Madam, our plane is about to take off. Please turn off your phone. Thank you for your cooperation."

*Beep*—

The call was disconnected.

I took out the SIM card, snapped it in half, and handed it along with my phone to the flight attendant. "Please dispose of these for me. Thank you."

"Of course."

On the other side, Liam was in a state of immense shock.

He hadn't misheard; that voice on the other end was a flight attendant's!

I boarded a plane?

Impossible. I had even prepared a gift for him, which meant I still had feelings for him.

Why would I suddenly fly away?

The gift...

Liam immediately turned and sprinted home. Following my instructions, he finally found the USB drive...

Ten hours later, a plane smoothly landed at Oslo International Airport in Norway.

The airport had arranged a pick-up, and I was immediately taken to a local hospital.