Chapter 4
Back at the apartment, I packed up all of Kieran’s stuff.
Things he’d given me-straight into the trash.
Things I’d given him-burned what could burn, cut up the rest.
Didn’t leave a single thread.
I opened my most treasured “bucket list” photo album and tore out the pictures one by one-
First bungee jump: Kieran had his arm around my pale, terrified face, flashing a peace sign at the camera.
First time racing: I stumbled out of the passenger seat on shaking legs while Kieran in his racing suit stood by the car door, reaching his hand out to me.
First dive: I’d passed out on the beach while Kieran frantically gave me mouth-to-mouth.
First skydive: I clung to the plane door refusing to let go while Kieran pushed me from behind…
All my firsts were my lasts.
These things I’d risked my life to do with him.
I thought they’d become his happy memories for life.
Turns out they were just casual fun for him.
I deleted my bucket list and rewrote all the things I’d left unfinished for him.
They were actually just routine for him.
Looking at the empty album, the suffocating feeling in my chest finally turned to tears, flooding out.
Weekend came as planned.
When I arrived, Kieran and his friends had already changed into their gear.
From a distance, the group was standing by the equipment hall entrance, laughing and fooling around.
Getting closer, I realized it wasn’t just “a few friends” like he’d said.
All those familiar faces from the private room were there.
Kieran saw me first. He walked over, signing apologetically:
“I’m sorry, I had no idea so many classmates would show up.”
“If you didn’t bring enough money, I could put it on my credit card.”
I looked into his amber eyes and slowly shook my head: “It’s fine, I’ve got it.”
Mia linked arms with me affectionately: “You’re so awesome, so rich!”
The others joined in with fake enthusiasm:
“Thank you, Sage!”
‘You’re beautiful and generous!”
I could tell none of it was genuine.
Their eyes kept scanning me up and down, like they were evaluating a forgery about to be exposed.
Kieran shot them a look, his mouth tightening slightly.
When paying the deposit, I pulled out a wad of crumpled, wrinkled bills from my bag.
Mia dramatically gasped: “Sage honey, did you really break open your piggy bank?”
calmly nodded: “Yes.”
Kieran whipped around to stare at me.
He knew about that piggy bank.
‘d bought it when we first got together, specifically to save our “travel fund.”
Back then, I’d said when we saved enough, we’d go to Iceland to see the Northern Lights.
He’d smiled and signed: [Great, I also want to see penguins in Antarctica.]
Back then, I didn’t respond.
What he didn’t know was that I only had enough time to save for that one Iceland trip.
I wanted to see the Aurora Borealis at my life’s final destination.
Chapter
I wanted Kieran to spend my last journey with me.
But now the jar was empty.
Kieran stared at me: “Not going to Iceland anymore?”
“Of course we are,” I said dismissively. “I found other ways to make money.”
Everyone immediately started cheering, congratulating me on “getting rich.”
Only Kieran’s expression grew darker and darker.
