Chapter 4

My hand paused as I applied the cream. I looked up at her. "Just me? Aren't you coming?"

Elara sighed, sounding regretful. "I'm too busy with work; I can't get away. Next time, okay?"

But Elara, there won't be a next time for us.

I lowered my head and continued what I was doing. "It might be hard to get time off from the company."

"Don't worry about it; I'll handle it for you."

I insisted, "But I don't want to go."

Her tone left no room for refusal. "I've already booked it; it's non-refundable."

I didn't say anything, but my heart grew cold.

I remembered waking up in the middle of the night last night, hearing Elara on the phone with someone:

"I'm not planning to tell him. I'll keep it a secret for as long as I can."

"To be safe, during the wedding, I'll book him on a trip to get him out of town."

The person on the other end sighed. "And then what? Are you going to make him the third party?"

Elara didn't speak for a long time.

It felt like an eternity before she slowly said, "As for what happens later, we'll have to take it one step at a time."

My heart twisted in pain. Lying in bed, my emotions gradually numbed. I felt like a joke after seven years.

Elara, I think I never truly knew you.

If you no longer loved me, why couldn't you just say so instead of choosing to deceive me?

Were you afraid I'd cling to you? Is that why you planned to send me away like this during your wedding?

You didn't need to go through all this trouble.

Elara, I will grant your wish and completely disappear from your world.

I asked her, "When's the flight?"

"Two days from now."

I smiled. "Okay, I'll go."

Elara visibly relaxed at my words, instinctively reaching out to touch my head.

I subtly dodged her hand.

She froze for a moment, then smiled. "Let's have dinner before you leave."

I thought about it, and finally nodded.

Tomorrow would be our seven-year anniversary.

Then let's say a proper goodbye, clarify everything, and let this relationship begin and end on that day.

The next day, I arrived early at the restaurant Elara and I had agreed upon. She showed up as promised, but with Milo by her side.

"Asher, Elara and I were just doing some errands nearby, so we came together. Hope we're not interrupting your dinner?" Milo said with a fake smile.

I shook my head, though I felt a pang of regret. It seemed even this final farewell meal wouldn't be complete.

Elara ordered a table full of bland dishes.

Seeing this, Milo couldn't help but laugh. "Elara, the food you ordered is too bland. It probably won't suit Asher's taste, right?"

Elara dismissed it casually. "You don't like spicy food."

Milo chuckled. "It's not that dramatic; you just care about me too much."

The two of them acted intimately, as if I wasn't even there. I watched them coldly, my heart so calm that not a single ripple was stirred.

We were in the middle of eating when someone suddenly shouted, "Fire!"

The crowd immediately stirred, people scattering and rushing out.

As I stood up, I saw a figure flash past me.

Then, I saw Elara tightly shielding Milo Jensen, turning her back on me and rushing out with him.

In a daze, it was as if I traveled through a time tunnel and saw that 18-year-old girl. It was the same scene, but back then, the person she protected with all her might was me.

It wasn't until they reached a safe place that Elara snapped back to reality. She turned to look at me, standing not far away, her eyes wide with shock:

"I was too rushed just now. I didn't mean to..."

I smiled and cut her off. "It's okay. I understand."

Soon, the day Elara had arranged for my trip arrived. I packed my luggage early.

After double-checking that there were no traces of me left in the apartment.

I picked up my suitcase and left without looking back.

Of course, I didn't go on the trip. Instead, I returned to my parents' home. After all, my wedding day was also fast approaching.

Meanwhile, Elara was busy trying on wedding dresses with Milo, completely oblivious to me.

The wedding day arrived in a flash, and I met my arranged marriage partner, Chloe, for the first time.

I had to admit, my parents' taste was truly impeccable. She was even more beautiful in person than in her photos, flawless in both figure and appearance.

The wedding procession was grand. I got into the car, and we drove majestically forward.

As we passed another wedding car coming from the opposite direction, both sides instinctively stopped for the brides to exchange bouquets.

The car window slowly lowered. In the car across from me, Elara and I locked eyes.

A huge storm instantly raged in her eyes, and she stammered in disbelief, "Asher, how... how can it be you?"