Chapter 4

Three hours later, I touched down in Velimor. Stepping out of the plane, I took a deep breath, savoring the familiar air of my homeland.

I pulled out my phone and turned it on.

The moment it powered up, countless missed calls flooded in. They were all from Soren.

Staring at the call log with a blank expression, I was just about to delete his contact when I noticed he'd changed his profile picture.

It used to be a photo of me, but now, it was a picture of him and Thea.

They were locked in a tight embrace, the bright smiles on their faces blinding my eyes.

A dull ache bloomed in my chest, but soon after, I felt at ease.

We were once smitten with each other too, but that was a long time ago.

Inhaling sharply, I deleted his contact, erasing every trace of him from my phone and my life.

As I walked out of the airport, I immediately spotted my parents waiting at the exit. They were holding a bouquet of flowers, their faces full of joy and excitement.

"Sweetheart, you're finally home!" Mom rushed over and threw her arms around me.

My nose stung. Tears welled up in my eyes as I choked, "Mom, I missed you so much."

Dad came over too, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"You're home now. That's all that matters."

The three of us hugged tightly, like we were trying to make up for the six years we'd missed.

Just then, my phone rang again. An unfamiliar number flickered on the screen.

I frowned. After hesitating for a while, I answered the call anyway.

A familiar, yet distant voice came through.

"Lyra, you finally picked up."

It was Soren.

"Why have you been ignoring my calls? Do you have any idea how worried I was about you?" he demanded, his accusatory tone tinged with anxiety.

I sneered. "Soren, what about the surprise you promised me? When are you going to make it up to me?"

He choked, then fell silent.

"Thea has been sick lately," he muttered, trying to dodge the topic. "I've been so busy taking care of her that I didn't have the time to plan the surprise for you."

As soon as his words fell, a weak voice came through from the other end of the line.

"Soren, don't blame Lyra. I just want you guys to be happy. Don't worry about my condition…" she croaked, sounding wronged after deliberately lowering her voice.

Soren instantly panicked. "Thea, you shouldn't speak. All you need is rest right now."

Then he bellowed into the phone again.

"Lyra, did you hear that? Even Thea is speaking up for you. Stop being so unreasonable!"

I was amused by their conversation.

Back then, Soren used to care about me like that too. But now, all his care and affection were reserved for another woman.

I couldn't be bothered to argue with him.

"Soren, things are already over between us. Don't contact me from now on."

With that, I ended the call.

I blocked him and turned off my phone.

Goodbye, Soren.

I swore this would be the last time I spoke to him.

Turning around, I walked toward my parents and beamed.

"Sweetheart, who was it?" Mom asked, looking worried.

I shook my head and linked arms with her. "Don't worry. It's not anyone important."