Chapter 7

Zayn and Cassidy's wedding finally happened amid great anticipation.

Fate seemed to be playing a joke on Cadence. The day of their grand celebration happened to be the day she had chosen to leave this world.

Early that morning, Zayn and Cassidy joyfully headed to the church with a crowd of merry guests.

Before leaving, Zayn looked at Cadence with a complicated expression and asked coldly, "Today is my and Cassidy's big day. Don't you have anything to say?"

Cadence looked at Zayn. However, his face had become blurry due to her failing eyesight.

She responded in a calm tone, "I wish you both will live long and enjoy a lifetime of happiness."

At the end of the day, one was the man she loved, and the other was her younger sister. Cadence's wish was genuine—it came straight from her heart.

But Zayn only found her demeanor unbearably irritating. He sneered coldly, "How hypocritical!"

With that, he left the villa without looking back and left Cadence alone.

That was just what she wanted. This would allow her to finish everything quietly and walk the final stretch of her life in peace.

She lit a fire in the fireplace and tossed all her personal belongings into it, destroying them all. Next, she reviewed all the assets under her name and wrote out several checks. She donated everything to various charitable organizations.

After she was done, she wheeled herself to the front gate and called a taxi. She headed to the hospital where her euthanasia would be carried out.

Her serene demeanor betrayed no sign that this would be a one-way trip.

Zayn and Cassidy's wedding was streamed live from start to finish.

Before the procedure, Cadence couldn't help but take a peek at their live stream.

In the church, Zayn's friends and family had gathered in celebration. The priest stood before the happy couple as a witness. Cheerfully, Zayn and Cassidy exchanged rings and shared a sweet kiss.

If not for that incident, Cadence and Zayn might have also had a joyous wedding and raised a family together. This was the future that she couldn't give him. She would let Cassidy fulfill it instead.

"I'm ready." Cadence silently turned off the live stream and lay down on the operating table.

Every part of her body ached faintly. Her voice was as light and almost breathless.

But the doctor shook his head. "I'm sorry, Ms. Lacroix. We can't begin just yet. We require a signed consent from immediate family members for a full-body donation. Hence, we must notify your relatives and obtain their written signatures."

Cadence frowned weakly. "This is my body. Can't I decide for myself?"

The doctor looked troubled. "It's a legal requirement. We have to follow the procedure."

They hadn't anticipated that someone would arrive alone to undergo euthanasia without any family present.

"Then call the second contact in my phone. She's my biological sister, Cassidy Lacroix," Cadence said.

The nurse nodded and swiftly dialed the number as Cadence instructed. However, she didn't notice that she had accidentally tapped on the first contact instead.

"Wait…" Cadence tried to stop her, but the call had already connected.

She pressed her lips together and glanced at the nurse. Her eyes revealed a sense of longing that she herself hadn't even noticed.

This was the last time she would hear his voice.

Meanwhile, Zayn was pouring champagne with Cassidy amidst the cheers from the guests. As the liquid flowed down the tower of glasses, Zayn felt oddly unsettled because Cadence still hadn't contacted him.

Just then, his phone rang, dispelling the unease in his chest.

He smirked and answered, "Who is this?"

"Hello, Ms. Lacroix is currently at the hospital undergoing a euthanasia procedure. We need a family member to sign the full-body organ donation consent form. Would you please come by now?"

Euthanasia?

Zayn frowned hard upon hearing that word.

Cadence had always cherished herself, as well as her life and body. Back when they were together, she was obsessed with maintaining good health and always said she wanted to live a long, full life so she wouldn't regret coming into this world.

How could someone like her willingly choose to die?

Perhaps his wedding with Cassidy today had finally ticked her off.

Zayn felt oddly pleased at the thought of this, but he maintained an indifferent expression.

He sneered, "If she wants to die, why should I disagree? You have my consent."

Next to him, Cassidy took the phone and added, "Is Cadence signing some kind of form? I'm her sister. I agree too! You have my consent as well."

When Zayn wasn't paying attention, Cassidy ended the call and turned off his phone.

The nurse tried to call Cadence's first two contacts again using her phone. But all she got was the monotonous voice informing her that the phone had been turned off.

She sent a few messages but didn't receive any reply at all.

Cadence, who was lying on the operating table, had heard every word of their conversation. The last glimmer of light in her eyes finally faded.

She took out the divorce agreement she carried with her. Both she and Zayn had signed it. She had found it in the study. Her guess was that Zayn had probably planned to give it to her after the wedding.

"We're already divorced. So, I don't think their signatures are required for the consent form. Am I right?" Cadence asked with finality.

The doctor silently nodded. "We can begin the euthanasia now."

As the cold liquid entered her veins, her consciousness gradually faded.

At that moment, countless memories flashed through her mind.

At night, she and Zayn lay in each other's arms, welcoming the morning sunlight together. On each anniversary, Zayn had carefully planned various surprises for her. On warm summer nights, they lay on the beach together, counting stars and dreaming of a shared future…

Cadence slowly closed her eyes. A single tear slid down from the corner of her eye.

"Goodbye, Zayn. I wish you a long, happy life free from obstacles. Farewell."