Chapter 9

Inside the magnificent castle, a violinist played a graceful melody while flower girls scattered petals along the aisle. The air was thick with romance and grandeur.

Disheveled and breathless, Odessa stumbled in just in time to see Ansel on one knee, holding out an engagement ring to Sydney.

"Sydney, will you marry me?" he proposed.

His eyes were gentle and full of love.

In that instant, Odessa was transported back to a memory from three years ago.

Ansel had once looked at her just like that, but back then, his eyes had been full of tears.

Sydney stood radiant in a stunning wedding gown, its long train shimmering beneath the lights. Blushing, she extended her hand and whispered, "I will."

Odessa couldn't ignore the striking resemblance. The gown was almost identical to the one she had worn.

In just a few days, Ansel had it remade.

The memories that had once meant the world to her clearly held no weight for him. To Ansel, it seemed any woman could take her place at the altar.

Tears poured down Odessa's face. Without warning, the bag holding the divorce papers slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor.

Despite this, the gentle thud was lost beneath the thunder of cheers and applause. Surrounded by a tide of congratulations, Ansel drew Sydney close and leaned in to kiss her.

Unable to watch any longer, Odessa suddenly rushed forward. "Ansel!"

Her hoarse voice shattered the perfect moment. The room plunged into a heavy, unsettling silence.

Ansel turned toward her, a flicker of panic flashing in his eyes at her disheveled appearance. Instinctively, he pushed Sydney aside, his expression hardening.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

Odessa wiped away her tears, forcing a bitter smile.

"I just came to wish you well. And also—"

She held up the divorce papers. "To divorce you."

Ansel scoffed. "I told you, I'll sign it on the sixth day. It's not time yet."

Odessa grasped his sleeve. "Please… just let us both move on. All you have to do is sign your name."

Her eyes were bloodshot, and strands of hair stuck to her pale face. She looked like a delicate porcelain doll, ready to shatter at any moment.

Ansel froze, their eyes locked in a tense silence before he abruptly pulled his hand away. His voice was sharp and unforgiving.

"Odessa, do you really believe you have any right to bargain with me?" he questioned.

Sydney clutched Ansel's arm, leaning in with a confident smirk. She gave Odessa a pointed look and said, "Ansel has already set the date with you. It's only a few hours away. Why are you so insistent on today? Is it because you're jealous he proposed to me?"

Ansel reached out, gently stroking Sydney's hair. "There's no need to waste your breath on her," he said coldly.

Odessa trembled uncontrollably. "Ansel… today really is my last day on this earth. I'm not lying, I—"

"Enough!" Ansel's voice sliced through her like a knife.

"Odessa, how many times do I have to say it? These lies are pathetic. You say you're dead, but where's the proof? Can a ghost really board a plane?

"Keep spinning these stories, and I'll have you sent to a psychiatric hospital. This is the last time we'll ever see each other!"

A deafening ringing exploded inside Odessa's head, as if the last thread of her sanity had finally snapped.

Her eyes widened in torment as she screamed, "Ansel! Is this some kind of game to you? Why won't you just set me free?

"You treat me like I'm nothing but an old toy. You don't play with me anymore, yet you can't find the strength to let me go. So here I am, just collecting dust!

"Didn't you say Sydney was just a passing distraction? So what on earth are you doing now? Why can't you walk away from me?"

Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. Her strength gave way, and she collapsed to the floor.

"I wasn't lying… that night… I was stabbed 17 times… it hurt so much…"

Her voice dwindled to a fragile whisper. She wrapped her arms around her knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

A sharp, searing pain ripped through Ansel's chest. His eyes reddened as he reached down and helped Odessa to her feet.

"Come with me," he said.

Sydney grabbed his sleeve, her voice trembling with desperation. "Ansel, please don't go!"