Chapter 6

Leaves return to their roots. Now, I just wanted to go home.

I sold the house. The money was just enough to buy a plot in the cemetery to be buried with my parents.

I sold the bag of bottles Summer had collected.

It totaled $16.50.

"How can I support you with so little money?" I muttered to myself.

The paperwork was done. In two days, I could leave this heartbreaking place.

But the day before I was to leave, an unexpected visitor arrived.

"Eric Pierce?"

He looked a bit surprised: "Miss Evans, you know me? I'm honored."

"What brings you here?" I asked.

Eric wore a gentle smile: "Miss Evans, I'd like to invite you to be my date."

"Your date?"

I looked at him in surprise, unable to understand the thinking of rich people.

He was handsome and wealthy. With a wave of his hand, countless women would throw themselves at him.

Why would he choose me, a woman of ordinary background and looks?

I was about to refuse when he said: "My brother Everett will be there too."

I hesitated.

Even if I couldn't say goodbye to Summer, it would be nice to see him from afar one last time.

Although I didn't know Eric's motives, I agreed.

I, a person with no parents and a serious illness, had nothing to be schemed for anyway.

I wore the dress Eric had prepared, unconsciously touching the mirror.

Eric's eyes flashed with admiration as he placed a necklace around my neck, chuckling:

"My brother is not only simple-minded but also blind."

I pressed my lips together, not responding.

When we arrived at the banquet, I just wanted to flee.

This wasn't some business event, but Everett's engagement party.

He stood there, naturally exuding nobility and coldness, like a bamboo after snow - eye-catching.

The woman beside him wore a white dress, as if she had draped the Milky Way over herself, dazzlingly beautiful.

"Does Miss Sophia have anything to say?" the host asked.

"I'm glad I could make a playboy settle down, and I'm glad I've always been by Everett's side," Sophia replied.

I touched the bracelet on my wrist dejectedly. It was woven by Summer and contained some of his hair.

But now, Everett only had a blindingly bright ring on his finger.

Actually, I was also grateful to have met Summer during the lowest point of my life.

He was like a dream I had, accompanying me through my darkest times before leaving.

I just wished... the dream could have lasted a little longer.

0I wanted to escape, but Eric held me back. He smiled: "Don't you want to offer your congratulations?"

Reluctantly, I followed him to Everett's side.

Everett glanced at me, his tone frivolous: "So my brother likes second-hand goods."

I felt my breath catch, my heart inexplicably aching.

Sophia beside him smiled at him: "Don't say that. At least she took care of you for three years."

Everett made a sound of acknowledgment and asked someone nearby for a check, which he handed to me: "Fill in any amount you want."