"The gifts have already been sold, and the clothes are packed away."

With every word, Orson felt the color drain from his face. "You're angry with me, aren't you?"

Maude remained silent.

While opening another cabinet, he discovered Maude's carefully packed suitcase.

In that moment, a wave of relief washed over him.

"We're moving into the new place soon, so packing early is a good thing. It'll make bringing everything over much easier.

"And if the gifts are gone, that's alright. I'll replace them with better ones. The old ones were probably due to be thrown out anyway."

Orson grasped her hand again, his voice weighed down with guilt.

"I'm sorry, honey. I don't know what came over me. I never meant to hurt you."

Maude looked into his eyes, but inside, she felt utterly numb.

That night, Orson sat beside her bed.

"I'll stay with you until you fall asleep. If I don't, I won't be able to rest."

Maude had grown accustomed to Orson's presence for over five years, but in less than a month, he made her doubt everything she once believed.

By 1:00 am, drowsiness was finally creeping in.

"Maude?" Orson suddenly called out.

Her eyes opened instinctively.

The light from his phone danced across his face, his impatience barely hidden beneath the shadows.

Without saying a word, Maude closed her eyes once more.

"Honey?"

As he'd hoped, Maude remained silent this time.

Orson got up quietly and walked out.

"Don't be upset, I'll be right there," he murmured, his voice fading as the bedroom door softly clicked shut.

Maude's mind wandered back to a distant memory.

In their fourth year together, she'd broken her leg in a car accident.

Orson had dropped everything to stay by her side, going without sleep the entire night.

She begged him to rest, but he refused to hear it.

He said he couldn't bear the thought of her suffering while he wasn't there.

Now, that same man couldn't spare even a moment.

Thankfully, she no longer needed him.

The next morning, the rain came down again.

As Maude stepped outside, she noticed Orson rushing toward her.

His clothes were drenched. He held a takeout bag close, treating it like a priceless treasure.

"Thank God these cinnamon buns stayed dry! They are from your favorite place. I rushed back so they wouldn't get cold."

Maude accepted the bag. The cinnamon buns inside were still warm.

Hungry, she didn't hesitate to take them.

Orson went to the kitchen and came back with two drinks—soy milk for Maude and chamomile tea for Imogen.

Across from her, Imogen sent a photo.

The image captured streetlights glowing softly through the gentle rain. Orson's umbrella was tilted protectively over Imogen, his black coat wrapped around her like a shield.

In one corner, the sign of Maude's favorite breakfast spot was visible.

Maude looked up to see Imogen smiling, a cup of chamomile tea cradled in her hands.

"Are the buns good?" Imogen asked.

The breakfast place was a two-hour round trip, one Orson had made for her countless times.

However, this time, Maude felt like she was just an afterthought.

Maude finished the last bite. "Yeah, they're delicious."

Imogen's smile wavered just a little.

Maude downed the soy milk in a single gulp.

Over the next two days, Orson suddenly became unusually attentive to Maude.

He got up early to bring her breakfast and made sure to change up the meals he prepared for her throughout the day.

However, every act of kindness came with Imogen by his side.

Meanwhile, more and more photos began to appear on Maude's phone.

Five days before the wedding, a message from Orson arrived.

"Honey, I've taken some time off. As soon as I'm back, I'll come pick you up to take our wedding photos."

Maude flipped through the calendar. The date was circled boldly, standing out on the page.

It had once been something she eagerly anticipated. Now, she'd forgotten it entirely.

She reached for a pen and struck through another day.

The wedding was off the table now, and so were the wedding photos.

Today would be the day to lay everything out in the open.

She and Orson would part amicably.

However, Orson never showed up.

Two hours later, Maude's phone rang.

"Honey, the company just sent me on a sudden five-day business trip to Aerisport. I won't be able to go with you."

By chance, the wedding photos they'd scheduled were also supposed to be taken there.

"Unless… I can ask someone else to go in my place. I'm willing to take full responsibility for whatever happens."

Orson's voice was heavy with regret. "Honey, I know you've been dreaming about visiting Aerisport for so long. I don't want to be the one to let you down."

Maude paused for a moment before replying, "Work comes first. The wedding photos can always be rescheduled."

"Alright, honey. I'll book the flights. Right after the wedding, we'll go to Aerisport."

After hanging up, Maude sent a message to one of Orson's coworkers.

Not long after, she got a response.

As it turned out, Orson had indeed been sent on a last-minute business trip.

Maude flipped her calendar to the next page and unfolded the sheet of paper tucked behind it.

She had stayed up for two sleepless nights, filling both pages with detailed plans.

Half was devoted to their wedding photos, and the other half to exploring the city she had always dreamed of with Orson.

Though the wedding shoot was canceled, Maude was determined to visit Aerisport before leaving the country.

After tucking the calendar into her suitcase, she took one last look around the room to make sure nothing of hers was left behind.

Without turning back, she lifted her luggage and stepped out the door.

Three days remained until the wedding.

Maude followed her itinerary, exploring every corner of Aerisport.

Meanwhile, Orson sent her message after message.

"I asked Immy to stay at her friend's place. I didn't want her to make you uncomfortable."

"I've arrived at Aerisport. It's every bit as incredible as you imagined. After the wedding, I'll bring you here for a few extra days."

"The cherry blossoms are beautiful. I really wish you were here to see them with me."

There was no need for his wish. Maude had already seen them.

Maude closed the photo of the cherry blossoms Orson had sent and raised her gaze.

That very spot was on her itinerary.

At that moment, Orson stood in the center of the cherry blossom grove. He put his phone down and stretched his arms wide.

Clad in a wedding gown, Imogen ran into his embrace.

Their eyes met, brimming with longing. Together, they seemed like the perfect match.

With a gentle smile, Orson pulled Imogen closer. "Are you happy now? Have I ever refused you anything? You're the one I love. Don't you know that better than anyone?"

Maude's footsteps froze. A cold wind swept past her, its chill sinking deep into her bones.

The photographer capturing the scene was the very one Maude had painstakingly selected.

For four long hours, she trailed behind them at a distance.

She observed as they visited every spot on her itinerary, repeatedly posing for their wedding photos.

With every new location, Maude received another message from Orson.

"Honey, being here only makes me miss you more. I wish I could drop everything and come back to you."

"Only three days remain until the wedding. Time has never felt this slow."

"There are countless couples making wishes at the Heartstone of Amoria. When we visit, we have to leave our names too."

"Maude, let's be by each other's side forever."

Before she realized it, the sky had darkened.

As the tourists slowly dispersed, Maude made her way to the Heartstone of Amoria.

At the very top, two names were carved side by side—Orson and Imogen.

His flattering words turned out to be nothing but a bitter lie.

Maude chuckled quietly, tears sliding down her cheeks.

Her phone kept buzzing nonstop with incoming messages.

They were from Imogen, sharing photos from her wedding shoot with Orson.

"If there's something I want, he'll make sure I get it, no questions asked."

"Thanks to you, the photos turned out absolutely breathtaking."

Maude turned off her phone, ignoring every message.

The day before the wedding arrived all too quickly.

After returning from Aerisport, Maude went straight to her best friend, Rosamund Tolliver.

"I'm so sorry. You worked so hard on everything… and now you won't even be my bridesmaid. Orson and I…"

Before Maude could finish, Rosamund pulled her into a tight hug.

"You've been through so much, haven't you?"

Maude had loved Orson with all her heart. If even a flicker of hope remained, she wouldn't have ended things so decisively.

Her eyes reddened as Rosamund escorted her inside.

Her phone kept buzzing nonstop with endless well-wishes.

"Orson is total husband material. With a man like him, you'll be the happiest bride tomorrow."

"Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness."

"I've been rooting for you two since college. You made me believe in love again. Maude, you deserve all the happiness in the world."

…

Among the messages was one from Orson.

"Honey, I'll be home by 8:00 pm. Please wait for me, okay?"

However, before 8:00 pm, Imogen sent her a location.

Maude knew Imogen wanted her to come.

A flicker of curiosity stirred inside her.

She followed the address and reached the place.

The door to the private lounge was left slightly open.

Inside, Imogen was about to grab a bottle of wine when Orson stopped her.

"You're allergic to alcohol. Don't be reckless."

"Aren't you in a rush to get back to her? I don't need you watching over me."

"Immy…"

Tears quietly traced down Imogen's cheeks.

Orson's tone softened right away. "Alright, alright. I'll stay with you. I'm not going back."

Maude looked down. Among all the congratulatory messages, a few new ones had come in.

"Honey, the project's nearly finished. I have to put in some extra hours tonight."

"Only one more long night, then I can take some time off to be with you at Aerisport."

"Honey, I've waited for so long. Just one more day, and I'll finally get to marry you."

Maude couldn't help but laugh, amused by how he still pretended to love her.

Orson put his phone down, his gaze tinged with helplessness. "Is that better?"

Imogen shook her head firmly. "You're not going to the wedding tomorrow."

Orson fell silent.

"She gets to have you for all the years to come," Imogen choked out. "Can't I at least have this one last day?"

After a long pause, Orson finally answered, "Alright."

Imogen broke into a smile and threw herself into his arms.

Through the narrow gap in the door, her smug gaze met Maude's.

Maude's eyes gradually hardened, growing colder with every passing second.

If Orson truly intended to skip tomorrow's wedding without a single word, did he ever pause to think about the anxiety it would cause her?

Did he consider how she would explain his absence to his family and friends?

No, Orson knew exactly what he was doing.

However, for Imogen, none of that mattered.

He was even ready to let Maude shoulder all the humiliation alone.

At first, she had planned to send a mass message announcing the wedding's cancellation after she'd apologized to Rosamund.

After five years together, she still wanted to protect whatever dignity Orson had left.

Now, there was no reason to.

Maude stepped outside and climbed into Rosamund's car.

"Rosamund, I need your help with something."

By 10:00 am the next day, Rosamund stood at the airport, tears welling in her eyes as she watched Maude leave.

Before the plane lifted off, Orson's family group chat blew up with messages.

"Orson's phone is off. What's going on, Maude? Where are you?"

"All the guests have arrived. We're waiting for you two!"

"Orson, the wedding's about to start. Please behave and don't get distracted by Maude's antics."

"Maude, what exactly are you trying to accomplish?"

Just as Maude had expected, Orson's family and friends had never truly accepted her. And now, all the blame was falling squarely on her shoulders.

After exiting the group chat, she blocked everyone connected to Orson.

She switched off her phone as the plane soared into the sky.

Leaning back, Maude whispered under her breath, "Goodbye, Orson. Goodbye forever."