I returned to the home Silas and I shared.

Everywhere I looked, there were traces of our life together; picture frames on the walls, a custom-made rug, and flowers in vases we had assembled together. Once, I thought this house symbolized my happiness.

Now, I realized how foolish I had been.

Although the picture frames held countless photos of Silas and me, Silas wore a cold, indifferent expression in every single one, while I played the fool, smiling like a clown.

He always said he was not the type to smile, but I had seen the way he looked at Nora.

It was the kind of look that naturally brought a soft smile to his lips. It was a smile of pure joy and genuine happiness, so different from the impatience he showed towards me.

The house was filled with things. They were mine, Silas's, and things we chose together.

However, when I looked closer, I realized almost everything had been chosen and bought by me.

As for Silas, aside from his personal belongings, there was nothing he had contributed.

How could I ever have believed this house represented the happiness we shared?

A deep sadness and mounting resentment welled up inside me, filling every corner of my heart.

I lost control and began smashing everything I could. Vases, picture frames, cups—things I once cherished with all my heart were dragged out and thrown into the yard.

As I stared at the growing pile of debris like a small mountain before me, a notebook suddenly fell to the ground.

I picked it up and opened it. A single line was written inside. "A hundred things I want to do with Silas."

Skiing, diving, watching sunsets…

One by one, I had carefully listed them, writing every detail with hopeful anticipation. However, tragically, not a single one of those dreams had come true.

I ignited the lighter in my hand.

The flames grew quickly, mercilessly consuming every piece of evidence of our time together.

Seven years of memories seemed to dissolve into nothingness, turning to ashes along with the fire.

A sharp pain spread through my stomach. I glanced at the mess I had left the house in, then picked up the phone without hesitation.

"Liam, could you send someone to clear out everything in Garrington Garden? And sell it as soon as possible."

After packing a few clothes, I grabbed my suitcase and purchased the first plane ticket I could find, leaving Capiton behind.

Before boarding the plane, I received texts from an unfamiliar number.

"Chaldene, what's gotten into you?”

"Don't think that just because we're getting married that I'll tolerate this nonsense.”

"When the time comes and you're kneeling on the ground, begging me to marry you, I won't even bother to look at you."

I did not reply. I simply blocked the number.

As I scrolled through social media, I came across a post from one of Silas's friends.

"After all these years, some people's love is still as strong as ever."

The photo was of Silas playing some sort of game. His face was covered in colorful paper notes, likely from Nora, yet he gazed at her with a helpless, indulgent smile.

I could not help but remember how Silas once lost his temper with me when I accidentally smeared cream on his face. He had shoved me to the ground in anger.

Now, here he was, sweetly humoring his beloved, while still finding the time to threaten me.

I left a comment. "Best wishes to you both." Then, I deleted and blocked every person connected to Silas without hesitation.

Following the list in the notebook, I completed all the things I once wanted to do with Silas—on my own.

In just one month, I achieved what we could not in seven years.

The final stop on my journey was the snow-capped mountains at sunrise. Alone, I braved the freezing cold and thirst, climbing step by step to a place I had never been.

I wanted to give up countless times, but somehow, I kept going.

When I reached the summit, the dazzling golden light of sunrise broke across the horizon.

I stood there, watching the brilliant dawn in the distance. The sounds of awe and joy from strangers around me filled the air, and it felt as though the sun melted away all of the ice and snow around me, but also the pain I carried within.

On my way down the mountain, I tossed the notebook into a trash bin.

When I finally returned to Capiton, my waiting parents and brother rushed forward, pulling me into a tight embrace.

"As long as you're back, that's all that matters," my mother said.

"That's all that matters," echoed my father.

Beside me, my best friend, Lacey Gilbert, patted my shoulder while wiping away her tears. "If you hadn't let us know you were safe, we would've been scared to death."

No one asked why I had run away from the wedding or why I suddenly disappeared on a solo trip for a month. It was as if none of it mattered anymore.

On the way home, my brother, Caleb Simpson, spoke softly to me. "Chally, we will always be your strongest pillar of support. There will be countless chances to make things right in your life."

I held back my tears and nodded firmly.

…

The moment we arrived at the house, Liam Addams, our butler, hurried over and whispered, "Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, Silas is here with some other people."

Hearing this, my mother's expression darkened. "How dare he come here? Who let him in?"

Seeing Caleb getting ready to get out of the car and confront him, I quickly stopped him.

"There's no need for that," I said. "I'll handle this. All of you don't have to worry."

I then gave them a reassuring look and patted their hands gently. "It's fine. I've already made up my mind."

After convincing my parents to step back, I turned to see Silas standing with Nora by his side. I frowned slightly.

"This isn't exactly something that should be discussed out in the open," I said. "Let's find a more private place."

Before either of them could respond, I walked over to a nearby pavilion.

Silas hurried after me, asked impatiently, "Chaldene, haven't you had enough?

"So you really don't want to go through with this wedding, do you?"

I found his question amusing and tilted my head slightly. "Silas, I believe I made myself perfectly clear the last time.”

"We're done.

"Didn't you say it yourself? That even if I knelt on the ground and begged you to marry me, you wouldn't agree?”

"So, what's this now? Are you planning to kneel down and beg me instead?"

My words clearly infuriated him. He grabbed my wrist roughly, and his voice was filled with anger.

"Chaldene! Don't push your luck!

"Don't forget you're carrying my child. Or have you already found another man to take responsibility?"

His humiliating words stung, and I did not hesitate to slap him hard across the face with my free hand.

The sharp sound startled Nora, who quickly stepped forward to check on Silas, her expression full of feigned grievance.

"Chaldene, I know you have issues with me.”

"But that post on social media was just a misunderstanding. Silas and I weren't alone. There were others with us.”

"If you misunderstood, you can hit or scold me, and I'll take it. But you shouldn't have hit Silas.”

"He's been with you for seven years. It's you who ran away from the wedding, embarrassing him first. How can you make it seem like it's his fault?"

Her hypocritical words were unbearable, and I slapped her across the face without hesitation as well.

"Nora, what right do you have to act like you have the moral high ground here?”

"Because you're his ex? Or the other woman?"

Silas had not expected me to suddenly strike her. He immediately rushed over to check on Nora, glaring at me as he warned, "Chaldene, you'd better stop this.”

"If you push too far, things will spiral out of control."

I laughed bitterly at his words.

"Be careful? Me?" I asked mockingly.

"I'm the daughter of the Simpson family. Half of the Simpson family's assets will be in my hands someday. Do you really think your threats scare me?”

"And as for the two of you—calling each other Nora and Silas so lovingly as if no one could see what's going on—do you think I'm a fool?"

My voice grew sharper as I added, "Let me make this clear. I will never marry you, Silas.”

"Whether it's Nora, Cora, or even Zora, they have nothing to do with me!"

With that, I turned on my heel, ready to leave.

However, Silas reached out to grab me. Seeing the situation, Nora quickly bumped into him, causing him to instinctively push his hand forward, which shoved me away.

I lost my footing and fell down the staircase.

A sudden warmth spread beneath me as a vivid red stain began to seep through my dress. The metallic scent of blood filled the air, and the pain left me gasping for breath.