Chapter 9

Rowan packed her bags early and stood before Ian with her suitcase.

“Ian, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

Ian only looked at her.

After a long pause, he said, “I have something else to do. I can’t take you to Valdoria. We’ll go next year.”

He took a few documents from the study and turned to leave.

Next year…

More than three hundred days stood between her and next year. She might not even survive another two or three days. She couldn’t wait that long.

Rowan used the last of her strength to catch his hand. “You promised you’d take me.”

[I really don’t have time left.]

Ian thought she was throwing another tantrum.

He didn’t notice how cold her hand was or how pale she looked, as though she might collapse at any moment.

He shook her off, irritation finally showing in his eyes. “I told you I have something important to do. I’ll take you next year. What part of that don’t you understand?”

He turned and left without another glance.

Every word cut into her heart until she felt torn apart.

She didn’t know how long she stood there.

Then she looked around the empty house and seemed to wake from a dream.

She didn’t cry or make a fuss.

Her steps were unsteady, and everything around her looked hazy.

She didn’t turn on the lights. She sat alone from daylight until nightfall.

Only when she felt something sticky beneath her did she touch the floor.

A large pool of blood had gathered there.

Blood flowed from her mouth, her nose, and even her ears…

Then Chase called.

He asked if she had reached Valdoria and wished her a happy birthday.

Rowan smiled.

Each word took effort, but she kept her voice light as she gave him her final wishes.

“Chase, I didn’t go to Valdoria. I can’t hold on anymore. I think today’s the day.”

A long silence followed.

Then she heard Chase throw something across the room.

He paced as he spoke, his voice frantic.

Even as he tried to hold back his tears, Rowan could hear him crying. “Rowan, where are you? I’ll come get you. I’ll stay with you.”

“No. Please don’t. I look awful right now…”

Rowan tried to smile.

The slightest movement sent pain through every muscle in her body.

“I don’t want you to picture me like this every night for the rest of your life. Chase, I’m all right. Really.

“Listen to me. After I die, don’t tell my parents right away. Tell them I’ve gone overseas on a trip. Give them some time before you tell them the truth. And please tell them I went peacefully, without pain. Tell them not to be sad…

“After I’m cremated, don’t put up a headstone. Scatter my ashes at sea.

“I don’t want a funeral. I don’t want everyone crying over me. I couldn’t bear that.”

Rowan used what little strength remained to tell him everything she wanted done.

“Chase, it hurts so much. I’m going to sleep for a while. Come see me in a few decades, all right?”

Chase was sobbing too hard to answer.

After the call ended, Rowan gathered enough strength to call Ian.

She tried several times, but he didn’t pick up.

Her hand shook as she dialed again and again.

At last, she gave up and struggled to open her phone.

The first thing she saw was a photo Tina posted.

It showed the glittering city below a skyscraper rooftop in Silverport, with enormous fireworks lighting up the night sky.

In another photo, Rowan recognized Ian at once, even though only his back was visible.

The caption read: [Together, year after year.]

So, the important thing Ian had to do was watch fireworks overseas with Tina.

He wouldn’t take Rowan to Valdoria because he would rather be with Tina.

Rowan began coughing up blood again.

She couldn’t help touching Ian’s figure on the screen, and blood soon smeared across the photo.

As a child, Rowan followed Ian everywhere like a little shadow.

Now she looked at the back of a man who no longer belonged to her, and her tears fell quietly to the floor.

She opened her conversation with Ian and typed with bloodstained fingers, one word at a time.

“My Ian, I’m dying. Congratulations. You’re finally free of me.”

“I hope you and Tina stay together, year after year. Life is too cruel. I’m giving it a bad review. Next life… I… won’t come back…”

Rowan typed the last word and used all her remaining strength to send the message.

The phone slipped from her hand.

Her left arm fell limp, and she lay motionless in a pool of blood.

Then the phone on the floor suddenly began to vibrate again and again!