Chapter 9
Alexander’s eyes darkened. His voice carried a warning.
“You’re not a child anymore. Don’t say the kind of things you said when you were eighteen. And on the day of my wedding
-don’t cause a scene.”
Every word was a boundary.
Don’t cause trouble. Do not ever cling to me again.
But Cynthia just kept her head lowered. Her silence made it impossible to read her expression.
The date on the invitation was the seventh.
She gave a small, bitter smile.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Alex,” she said softly. “I won’t.”
She wouldn’t cause a scene. She wouldn’t hold on. In fact, she wouldn’t even attend.
Because that day… was her wedding too.
In the days that followed, Alexander and Morinne were busy preparing for their big day.
They were out from morning till night, and every time Morinne returned, she wore a smile of perfect happiness.
She tried on dresses, took engagement photos, shot wedding videos…
And she sent Cynthia pictures from every step of the process, each one showcasing their joy and affection.
Cynthia never replied.
She didn’t have time. She was too busy packing.
The day she would leave was drawing close.
Ten hours before her departure.
Cynthia met with her only close friend, Kaily Jasmine, for a final meal.
The food had just arrived when Cynthia pulled a small, delicately wrapped pouch from her purse and slid it across the
table.
“Kaily, remember how I told you I was getting married? It’s going to be tomorrow. The wedding will be in Riverport-it’s far,
so you don’t need to come. This is your wedding favors-I’ve selected those chocolates for you. Consider it a little early.”
Riverport and the capital city were far apart. Once she left, they would be separated by more than just distance.
Kaily’s eyes welled up as she clutched Cynthia’s hand tightly. “You’re really going?”
Cynthia nodded. “I am.”
“But what about your brother-in-law? Have you really stopped loving him? You’re really ready to let him go?”
Cynthia smiled and shook her head gently. “I let go a long time ago. I stopped loving him even earlier.”
Tomorrow was his wedding day. And her leaving…was the best gift she could give him.
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Eight hours before departure.
She picked out a wedding gift: a pair of crystal couple’s pendants, symbolizing eternal love.
She placed them in an elegant gift box, along with a handwritten card:
“Wishing Uncle Alex and Aunt Morinne a lifetime of happiness. May your love last forever.”
Then she scheduled a same-day local delivery to deliver the gift to them on the morning of their wedding.
Five hours before departure.
She visited the little grave beneath the maple tree and placed a bag full of Amaris’s favorite treats and toys beside it.
Sitting under the tree, she spoke to her like she always had.
“Amaris, I’m leaving. I won’t be able to visit you anymore.”
“If there’s a next life… please be born into a family that will love and protect you. It’s my fault I couldn’t save you. I wasn’t
strong enough. I let them kill you.”
Her voice broke.
“My sweet Amaris…Farewell.”
Three hours before departure.
Cynthia returned to her room. But the moment she stepped inside, she froze.
Alexander was standing there, scanning the space with narrowed eyes.
“Why does your room look so empty?”
Her heart skipped a beat. After a moment’s pause, she forced a lie.
“I’ve been decluttering. Got rid of things I don’t use anymore-thought I’d refresh the space.”
Before he could dig deeper, she changed the subject.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at the hotel? Your wedding’s tomorrow.”
He finally turned back to her. “Morinne said she wants you to be a bridesmaid. I came to bring you for a dress fitting.”
Bridesmaid?
She couldn’t. She was leaving.
Cynthia gently shook her head. “I’m family, technically, but I’m still too young to be a bridesmaid. It wouldn’t be
appropriate. Morinne has plenty of friends who’d suit the role better.”
Alexander frowned, about to speak, but his phone rang-Morinne.
He listened for a moment, his expression shifting slightly, then turned to leave without pressing further.
“Uncle Alex!”
Her voice stopped him just as he reached the doorway.
He turned slightly, but she didn’t give him time to respond.
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Ive always wanted to ask that night, on my eighteenth birthday-when you kissed me… do you really not remember?”
Alexander stood still for a long moment before finally replying
“I never kissed you.” And with that, he walked away
Cynthia watched his figure disappear down the hall.
Then she smiled.
And whispered, “You’re a coward, Alexander Lowell.”
Ten minutes before departure.
Cynthia cleaned the room one last time.
She wheeled out her suitcase and headed toward the door.
Just as she was about to leave, her phone buzzed.
It was a message from Alexander.
[Go to bed early tonight. I’ll have the driver pick you up for the wedding tomorrow.]
She stared at it for a long moment… then shook her head.
Uncle Alex, I won’t be going to your wedding. And you won’t need to come to mine, either.
Without hesitation, she deleted his contact.
And then, dragging her suitcase behind her, Cynthia stepped into the night. She never looked back.
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