Chapter 9

The next day, Claudia went to Cocteau Church.

The church was located on the top of a hill so she had to climb the three thousand flights of stairs to get to the church. She made a climb with a heart filled with piety the entire time.

Four years ago during their first wedding anniversary, they were on their way to celebrate when they got into an accident.

In one crucial moment, Brett threw himself on her to shield her from harm.

She remembered thinking that if Brett was willing to risk his life for her, she should offer the same devotion to him.

Later when Brett fell into a coma in the hospital, she became frantic. That was when she was told that Cocteau Church was one of the most sacred churches in the country and with that, she made the pilgrimage to get a cross for him.

Later when he finally came to, they returned to the church together where he vowed to her, “Claudia, I want to be with you forever.”

She believed him at the time but now she realized that it was a complete lie.

On the third day, she went to see a maidenhair tree that they had planted together.

The light green tree of the leaf was dancing in the wind. Etched on the trunk were a few words that had become distorted due to the growth of the tree over time. Despite that, one could faintly make out the words “I love you Claudia and we will be together forever. Brett.”

There was a saying that the maidenhair tree symbolizes love, and that was why they came here together to plant the tree. He was holding her hand the entire time they were carving the text. The handwriting turned out better this time.

Though the tree had blossomed with leaves, their love had completely wilted.

Then, she made a gesture to signal the crew that had been waiting for her instruction. They proceeded to turn on the electric saw which produced a loud, screeching sound.

The worker looked at the tree and asked in a voice filled with lament, “Miss Hepburn, this is a healthy tree, why do you want to cut it down?”

She fell silent for a long time before smiling faintly. “It never should have existed.”

It was a tree born from lies and it should return to the dirt.

She stayed awake all night.

The following day was going to be the wedding anniversary of Fione and “Arthur”. It was also going to be the day when she would leave the Maxwells.

She stood at the head of the stairs and watched as the couple departed for the banquet hall first thing in the morning. Before leaving, Fione even made a point of repeatedly reminding Claudia to attend the party and witness their love.

Claudia nodded perfunctorily and waited until they left before collecting her luggage.

She received a text on her phone informing her that her purchase of the island had been finalized. She smiled faintly upon seeing the text and left for the airport without looking back.

'Fione. Brett.

'I will never see you two again for the rest of my life.'

That night, in the banquet hall.

The party had been progressing smoothly but for some reason, Brett was nervous.

Fione could tell he was distracted. She went to him with a smile and took his hand in hers. “What is it, Honey?”

He suddenly stiffened and realized that he had been thinking about Claudia the entire time.

The thought threw him off further but when he noticed Fione still staring at him, he trained a smile and made up something on the spot.

“I’m fine, I just didn't sleep well last night. Nothing to worry about.”

Fortunately, Fione only nodded and did not pry.

After Fione was gone, he called over his assistant who he had previously assigned to keep an eye on Claudia. “Where has Claudia been these days? What has she been up to?”

The assistant handed over several sheets of documents and proceeded with a report.

The Lover's Bridge, Cocteau Church, and the place where they planted the maidenhair tree.

There were all the places they went to in the past.

He became even more restless to the point of nearly panicking. He had a fleeting feeling that something was escaping his grasp and every time he tried to catch it, there was nothing but air.

When it was time for the present gifting session, he glanced in the direction of the door but still could not spot the figure he had been looking for. He was spiraling inside.

That was until the door of the hall was suddenly thrown open.

Everyone watched attentively as a man who was dressed very formally walked up to Brett with a present.

“Mr. Maxwell, I am delivering this present on behalf of Miss Hepburn!”