Since that night, Ian arranged everything concerning Clara’s daily life. Well ... he did those until he met Rea.

Now, Clara cleaned the attic from top to bottom to remove every trace of herself. She burned all her belongings, every insignificant item, every lingering memory.

Except for the body under the bed. The corpse just lay there, covered by a white sheet and it remained untouched.

She couldn't help but wonder, how Ian would react when he saw her lifeless body. Would he grieve? Or would he feel relieved because he was finally able to get rid of this burden?

Probably the latter. After all, he loved Rea so much and Rea could not wait to see her go.

Three hours later, Clara finished burning the last of her possessions. Without resting, she headed to the kitchen. She wanted to give him this one last surprise.

Once upon a time, he had spoiled her like a princess and never allowed her to step into the kitchen. However, after Mrs. Cumberland died from cancer, things changed.

To make sure Ian could still taste the flavors of home, Clara had painstakingly learned to cook his favorite dishes.

Her fingers burned and blistered as she worked, but finally, she placed four dishes and a soup on the dining table.

Then she waited and waited. Ever after the sky darkened, Ian never came home. She remained sitting at the table. Her lonely figure was swallowed by the night.

The food had long gone cold when she finally pulled out her phone and dialed his number.

Once ... twice ... but still no one answered.

Then, her phone dinged. It was a message from Rea.

Clara’s hands trembled as she opened it.

It was a photo of Ian having dinner with Rea's parents.

[Did you really think Ian would come back for you?] Rea’s text read. [He’s having dinner with my parents. Why would he waste time on a worthless freeloader like you?]

[If you had any self-respect, you’d leave the Cumberland Family right now.]

Clara felt her blood turn ice cold as her hope dimmed.

She made one last call. This time he picked up her call.

“What do you want?” Ian's voice was impatient.

“Aren't you coming back tonight, you promised to have dinner with me tonight ...”

“I don’t have time for this nonsense. I’m busy. Stop bothering me.”

The line went dead before she could finish her word.

To him, their final farewell that she had exchanged with everything she had was nothing more than a meaningless waste of time.

What mattered for him instead? Having dinner with Rea's parents?

Clara sat motionless in the dimly lit dining room, her figure was rigid like she was a statue.

After a long time, a bitter laugh appeared in the quiet room. That laughter grew louder and louder until it finally turned into an unspeakable whimper sob.

The clock ticked forward. Only thirty minutes remained before twelve o'clock. Then she would finally leave for good.