I lay there, lips pale, heart strangely calm. So this was what it meant. I really would disappear completely from his world.

The doctors later said my injuries weren’t life-threatening. Still, the maid didn’t know who else to call. In the end, she reached out to Wilmer’s mother.

When his mother heard, she rushed over in a panic. She stayed by my side the whole night, caring for me in a way her son never would.

I woke up to the sound of raised voices outside my room. The corridor was quiet, so every word carried straight into me.

“You bastard!” it was his mother’s voice, sharp with anger. “I don’t care where you are. If you still want any chance of making things right with Lucy, come here and take care of her immediately. If you let this slip, she’ll never forgive you!”

For a second, I almost held my breath, waiting. Hoping.

Then his voice came through, low and cruel. “What does it matter if she forgives me? The engagement is over. Her things are gone. Even if she dies, I won’t bother showing up to her funeral.”

The phone clicked. Silence followed.

The door opened and his mother stepped in, her face flushed, her hands shaking a little. She looked embarrassed when her eyes found mine. “Lucy… Wilmer… you know how he is when he’s angry. He says things he doesn’t mean. Don’t let it get to you.”

I shook my head. No words left. She didn’t need to cover for him. He was right. We had no ties anymore. He’d already cut me off. I needed to do the same.

She sighed softly, like she knew there was no turning things back. Then she came closer, sat by my bed, and pulled out a folded list.

“Lucy,” she said gently, putting the paper in my hands. “These are dowries I’ve prepared for you. You’re going far, starting over on your own. You’ll need property, money, security. These things will give you confidence.”

My chest tightened. I shook my head quickly. “Mrs. Preston… I can’t accept this.”

Her hand covered mine, “If your mother hadn’t brought me out of that little village years ago, I wouldn’t be here today. I owe her… and I owe you. Besides, it was Wilmer who wronged you. As his mother, I need to make this right.”

Her eyes softened, “Once you’re in Europe, I’ll send someone to help you with the transfer.”

The door suddenly pushed open.

A familiar voice cut through the air. “Who’s going to the Europe?”

I froze, and lowered my lashes and kept my mouth shut. I didn’t look at him. I just pretended he wasn’t even standing there.

His mom glanced between us. She sighed. “It’s Lucy, she…”

He cut her off, his gaze sliding straight to me. “You’re going to Europe? Right. You mentioned before that you wanted to see your aunt. But your injuries are bad this time. It’s not good for you to travel yet. How about later? I’ll stay with you for a while, arrange things here, then go with you.”

A laugh almost slipped out of me, bitter and small. Yes, I had told him once that I wanted to go. He’d promised to come with me too. But he never showed.

Why? Because Madonna told him she envied me. She said I always had someone beside me while she, poor little Madonna, had never left her small village. She said she’d never seen the world. And because of that, Wilmer canceled his ticket behind my back and took her abroad instead. They travelled together and I was left all alone

I still remember that day... I waited until the last flight was gone, calling him over and over, thinking maybe something happened. My chest ached with worry. Then dawn came, and so did the photos. Him and Madonna at another airport. Smiling. Together.

Now, after all that, he stood here acting like he still wanted to go with me. I had nothing left to hope for.

I opened my mouth, ready to tell him the truth. That I wasn’t going to see family. That I was going to marry. That I wasn’t just leaving for a while. I was leaving New York for good. I’d never come back unless I had no choice.

But before the words could leave me, he sneered. “You don’t need me to go? Then who do you want? That pretty boy who gave you a gift the other day? Don’t tell me you’re going alone. You’re so clueless you can’t even read a boarding pass right. You’ll end up crying and begging me to pick you up.”

I let out a breath, heavy and tired. I wanted to tell him he was wrong. I didn’t need him. I didn’t want him. I didn’t want him anywhere near my wedding.

But I never got the chance. His phone lit up and he glanced at it, his face softening in an instant. He turned away. “Alright, looks like you’ve got plenty of strength. That eases my mind. Maddie hates being alone, so I’ll go keep her company. As for Europe, I’ll go with you once you’re healed.”

He even smiled at his mother. “Thanks for taking care of your daughter-in-law, Mom.”

She shot him a cold look. “Get out.”

“Goodbye, Wilmer.” I said.

For some reason, that made him pause. His shoulders stiffened, then he turned back, like he thought I was forgiving him. Like he thought this was hope. His hand brushed over my hair.

“Goodbye, Lucy. I’ll bring you flower and cake tomorrow.”

I looked at him, long and steady, but he didn’t bother to see what was in my eyes. He just walked away, lighter on his feet, heading back to Madonna.

His mom watched him go, then turned back to me. The sigh she let out said more than words ever could.

****

Wilmer never showed up in my ward like he promised. He just sent some errand boy with a cake and a sunflower I hated because of my allergy.

I didn’t even bother looking at it. I handed it straight to the servant his mother hired to take care of me and went back to packing my things.

Half an hour earlier, I had seen Madonna’s post online. She was showing off again. She wrote that Felix found out she was in the hospital and came to bother her, but luckily Wilmer showed up like some knight and “saved” her.

She pretended to complain, saying she only got a little scratch and that Wilmer exaggerated everything, forcing her to stay in the hospital for a week. Then she giggled about how it gave Felix more chances to harass her. But in the end, she forgave Wilmer because he played hero, bought her favorite cake, and even apologized.

Underneath her post was a picture of Wilmer on one knee, smiling as he opened a cake box for her.

I pressed “like.” Then I blocked them both.

The servant came in just as I zipped my bag. “Miss Lucy, everything’s ready. The car is waiting downstairs. We can leave now.”

I nodded and followed quietly.

When the elevator stopped on the eighth floor, the doors slid open. Right in front of me, I saw Madonna lean in and kiss Wilmer’s cheek. He was standing by the door of her ward, smiling faintly.

I just watched. I felt nothing. No anger. No sadness. Just nothing.

***

A week later, I was supposed to fly out to Europe for marriage. I had said no so many times, but Wilmer’s mother wouldn’t listen. She insisted on a farewell party, even prepared a dress and jewelry for me. I had no choice but to stay a little longer and planned to leave for the airport right after the banquet.

That night, everyone from my childhood showed up. Everyone except Wilmer.

In the middle of the party, someone leaned close and whispered with a sly smile, “I thought you two really ended things. You said you broke off the engagement, and he’s been showing that servant woman all over the city. But now… after everything, you’re still tied together. Must be fate, huh?”

I frowned, not understanding. “What do you mean?”

They only blinked, then looked away without another word.

I could not make sense of it, so I stopped trying. I smiled, turned to the elders who had always looked after me, and gave them my thanks. Then I hugged my friends, one by one, and told them they were welcome to come to Europe for my wedding if they ever had the time.

“You and Wilmer are getting married here? Would Wilmer even allow that?”

I shook my head and smiled faintly. “Not with him.”

They all stared at each other, too shocked to ask more. I could feel their confusion hanging heavy in the air. To them, my life had always been tied to Wilmer. Since childhood, everyone knew he would be my husband. He made sure no one else ever came near me. If I wasn’t marrying him, then who could I possibly marry? I laughed bitterly.

The air turned awkward, but I didn’t mind. I glanced at the clock and excused myself, walking over to say goodbye to his mother.

As soon as I stepped out, I caught sight of one of my friends on the phone. “Where are you? Why didn’t you come tonight? Do you know Lucille—”

Wilmer’s voice cut through on the other end, calm but hurried. “She’s upset I didn’t show, right? Don’t tell her, but I’m on my way. I planned a surprise. Help me out… bring her to the rooftop garden. I’ve got the ring with me. Don’t let her leave.” Then the line went dead.

My friend just stared at his phone like it betrayed him. I could almost hear his thoughts. Who was telling the truth? Me, leaving to marry someone else? Or Wilmer, rushing to propose?

I didn’t wait for his answer. I had already changed clothes and was directing the servants to load my luggage into the car. He spotted me and ran over.

“Where are you going? Europe? Why so fast? Can’t you wait?”

I paused for a second. He was someone who had grown up with me, and maybe this was hard for him to accept. I forced a smile. “If I wait, I’ll miss my flight. Don’t worry, we’ll see each other again. Come to my wedding, okay?”

He grew even more frantic. “Are you really marrying someone else? Does Wilmer know? Shouldn’t you at least say goodbye to him?”

The smile slipped from my lips. At the mention of his name, my chest tightened. I shook my head softly. “No.”

He wanted to push further, but I checked the time and cut him off gently. “I really have to go now.”

I slid into the car and shut the door. Slowly, the vehicle rolled out of the Preston estate.

At that very moment, another car passed ours. Through the glass, I caught the briefest glimpse of Wilmer. He was holding a small ring box in his palm, his eyes lit up with anticipation.

I didn’t look twice.

He was probably imagining my surprise, dreaming of the perfect moment where all the people who mattered were there. His parents, our elders, our childhood friends, and me, the girl he thought he still owned.

But I was already gone.