Chapter 3

My heart hammered against my ribs, and my face went pale.

When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I had imagined a thousand times how Julian would react if he found out.

But ever since I decided to go to Switzerland, I didn't want him to know.

He couldn't cure me anyway. Knowing would just be another burden for him.

I was frantically trying to think of an explanation.

But he just curled his lips into a mocking sneer. "I thought you’d finally grown up, Hazel. But you're still using the same cheap tricks. Faking an illness?"

I froze for a second, then forced a smile through the tears in my eyes. "You caught me, Julian. It’s just vitamins mixed with ketchup."

His face grew even darker. He glanced at my thin frame, swallowed up by my oversized sweater, and frowned.

"Is this house starving you? Do you really need to put on this act?"

His eyes swept across the room. Because I had packed up most of my personal belongings, the room looked incredibly bare.

"And why is this place so empty? It looks like no one lives here."

My chest tightened. Avoiding his sharp gaze, my voice—hoarse from coughing up blood night and day—sounded dry.

"You're getting married. Getting rid of old things makes room for new blessings."

"I hope you and Victoria have a wonderful life together. A happy marriage and a big family."

He let out a sarcastic laugh. "A wonderful life? A happy marriage?"

"Are those really the only words you have for me right now?"

Maybe because I used to care so much about his mood, I instantly picked up on his irritation.

But I truly didn't understand what I had said wrong this time.

Or maybe, just my sheer existence was enough to annoy him.

If that was the case, he would be much happier after tomorrow.

Because this would be the last time I ever stood in front of him.

Tomorrow morning, when Julian left as a groom to pick up his bride, I would head to the airport and fly to Switzerland.

I took a deep breath, looked up, and gave him my most sincere wish.

"Julian, I hope you have a beautiful wedding."

His brows drew together tightly, his eyes searching my face as if trying to catch some hidden motive.

But my words were perfectly polite, and my expression was completely neutral.

I didn't even wait for him to respond. I turned around and walked upstairs.

The next morning, I woke up early and packed my last suitcase.

Fortunately, my mind was incredibly clear today. I knew exactly what day it was—the day of my departure.

Outside the villa, luxury cars were lined up.

Billionaires and public figures who usually only appeared in Forbes were gathering.

Reporters with cameras were crowding the gates, eager to cover the wedding of the century.

I took my cough suppressants before stepping out of my room.

The moment I walked out, I ran into Julian, who was wearing a custom-tailored tuxedo.

He glanced at me, his face immediately clouding over. "Is that what you're wearing to my wedding?"

A sharp pain hit my chest. I opened my mouth, but I didn't know how to explain that I wasn't going.

Luckily, a voice from downstairs saved me. "Julian! The cars are ready. We need to leave now!"

He pressed his lips into a thin line, gave me one last deep look, and said, "Go change into something decent."

I gave a vague nod and watched him walk downstairs, surrounded by the crowd.

I could faintly hear an elder laughing downstairs. "Why is the groom looking so serious? Aren't you happy to marry the girl of your dreams?"

I couldn't hear the rest.

But in my heart, I knew this was our final goodbye.

I went back to my room, looked at the framed photo of my parents on the desk, and whispered, "Mom, Dad. Julian is getting married today. I saw his bride for you. She's beautiful, and they look great together..."

I touched the frame, my voice cracking. "From now on, the three of us will be together forever."

It was time.

I stood by the window and watched Julian get into the lead wedding car. The convoy drove away amidst the loud cheers.

The moment the villa fell completely silent, it felt like a piece of my heart had been carved out.

But only for a second.

I pulled myself together. Under the bewildered stares of the maids, I walked out carrying my parents' photo and my suitcase, and got into the private car I had called to take me to the airport.

All along the highway, the giant LED screens on skyscrapers and billboards were broadcasting Julian and Victoria's wedding.

I watched silently, my eyes dry and aching from the wind.

When I arrived at the airport, I received a text from Tristan. It was a photo of the wedding venue.

The entire place was decorated with purple lavenders, flower petals falling from above, purple diamonds...

My heart stopped.

It was almost identical to the dream wedding I had described to Julian a few days ago.

Was it on purpose, or just a coincidence?

But I quickly pushed the thought away.

It didn't matter anymore.

I was leaving. None of this had anything to do with me.

The second photo was of the ceremony.

Julian looked dashing in his black suit, and Victoria was stunning in her white gown.

Tristan texted: [I’ll deliver your gift after the reception. Hazel, I hope your surgery goes well. Safe travels.]

Even though the photo made a dull ache spread through my chest, I let out a long sigh of relief.

At least the last family member I had in this world had found his happiness.

I smiled and replied: [Thank you, Tristan. I hope you find your happiness soon, too.]

I hit send and turned off my phone.

A flight attendant walked by and handed me a small bag of wedding candies with a sweet smile.

"Miss, today is the wedding of Mr. Vance of the Vance Group. These are being handed out to all passengers to share the joy."

I stared at it. So, the entire city was celebrating his wedding...

I thanked her softly, unwrapped a candy, and put it in my mouth.

It was sweet.

Exactly like the candies Julian used to drive across the city to buy for me when I was little.

Except... this was probably the last one I'd ever have.

As the plane started to taxi on the runway, I took out my phone and quickly typed out one last text to his Snapchat:

[Julian, I was young and foolish, and I caused you a lot of trouble in the past.]

[I'm gone now. Please forget about me completely. I wish you eternal happiness.]

After sending it, I popped out my domestic SIM card, snapped it in half, and dropped it into the trash bag.

Then, I slid the Swiss SIM card into the slot.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our flight to Zurich is about to take off..."

As the engines roared and the plane lifted into the air, I pulled down my eye mask.

It blocked out the world outside, and hid the tears silently slipping down my cheeks.

Thousands of miles would separate us now.

We would probably never see each other again.

This would be the last time I cried for the stubborn, foolish girl who loved him with everything she had.

From now on, in sickness or in health, in joy or in sorrow, I would learn to love myself. I would never look back.

Goodbye, Julian.

Goodbye forever.