Chapter 9

Hearing Michelle’s answer, Sigmund let out a quiet sigh of relief.

He quickly packed a few clothes and explained, “I found a new part-time job. I’ll be away for a few days for training. Baby, I’m going to miss you while I’m gone.”

Michelle only gave a faint “mm” in reply. He was probably just going to stay by Emily’s side to take care of her.

When she walked into the dressing room, she saw rows of clothes and gifts she had bought for him over the past three years.

The few things he’d ever given her barely filled a single shelf.

That night, she signed the final papers to sell her villa, leaving all follow-up matters to the real estate agent.

On her last night before leaving, she met a few old friends for drinks. Halfway through, her head started to ache, and she stepped outside for some air.

She looked down from the second-floor terrace.

The courtyard below had been elegantly decorated, clearly reserved for a proposal.

The place was draped in romantic lights and scattered rose petals.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Sigmund.

He was dressed in a black custom-tailored suit, distant and dignified like someone from another world.

Emily stood before him, her eyes red as he approached.

The proud and handsome man lowered himself to one knee and offered her a bouquet of flowers.

“Emily, will you marry me?”

Tears streamed down her face as she nodded amid the cheers of the crowd.

Sigmund slipped a glittering diamond ring onto her finger, then stood and kissed her deeply.

Moments later, a thousand drones lit up the night sky over the river, forming words of devotion that ended with one dazzling phrase—Emily, marry me.

It was Sigmund’s proposal.

Michelle had once imagined countless times how he might propose to her.

And now, she was watching it happen, just not to her.

“Baby, wait for me. Once I can afford a diamond ring, I’ll propose to you.”

“Baby, when I’m capable enough, I’ll marry you and give you a home.”

“Baby...”

Those sweet promises still echoed in her ears.

Back then, Michelle truly believed she’d live to see that day.

The truth was, he could have saved her but instead, he’d stood by and watched as she was forced into an arranged marriage.

His eyes were cold, his heart utterly unmoved.

She wanted to ask him, just once, if there had ever been a moment when his feelings for her were real.

But there was no point anymore.

Michelle gave a faint, self-mocking smile and turned back into the private room.

She partied until dawn, then dragged her suitcase straight to the airport.

Her phone buzzed.

It was Sigmund.

“Baby, what time’s your flight? Text me when you land, okay? Don’t make me worry.”

Even now, he was still pretending.

Michelle stared at the message for a moment, then deleted his number and blocked every way he could reach her.

As the plane lifted off, her memories shattered like glass in her mind.

Three years of misplaced love was just a dream.

And now that she’d woken up, she was going to marry someone else.

“Goodbye, Sigmund Lloyd.”

This lifetime, they would never meet again.