Chapter 3

The next morning, I went to the bank and cashed the check.

I stared at the screen of my phone for a long time when I received the notification that the money had been deposited into my account.

I pocketed my phone. I bought a few presents for Dad and a bouquet of fresh flowers before I visited Mom in the cemetery.

There was a bouquet of carnations leaning against the tombstone. Tristan had brought them the last time he dropped by. The flowers were still blooming.

I shifted the carnations aside and placed my own bouquet against the tombstone.

It was very quiet in the cemetery. The leaves rustled as the breeze blew past.

I didn't say a word. I stood in front of Mom's tombstone for a short while before I turned around and left.

The dark clouds suddenly dispersed when I walked out of the cemetery, mirroring the way the gloomy feelings in my heart also dissipated at that moment.

Just then, I received a call from Dad. He sounded rather excited when he exclaimed, "Hurry home, Luna! Mr. Graham just announced something huge!"

I hummed in response and said, "I have something to tell you too, Dad."

The yard was buzzing with activity and packed with unfamiliar faces when I made it back to Graham Manor.

Dad placed down the bottle of weedkiller. He was grinning from ear-to-ear when he explained, "These people are part of Ms. Franklin's family. Mr. Patrick just announced that Ms. Franklin and Mr. Tristan will be getting engaged in the next three days."

I was momentarily stunned before I glanced at the guests in the yard.

All of them were smiling as they conversed with each other, balancing wine glasses in their hands.

I wasn't sure why, but I felt incredibly calm. I didn't feel any anger, sadness, or surprise. It was almost as if I had been subconsciously anticipating this outcome. It was just a matter of time before Tristan and Madison officially got together, after all.

"You grew up with Mr. Tristan, Luna. The two of you are practically siblings," Dad said with a smile. "Perhaps he might even ask you to be one of Ms. Franklin's bridesmaids."

My lips twitched. I smiled and replied, "Nonsense. Mr. Tristan's the prestigious heir of the Graham family. I wouldn't dare to call him my brother."

I turned around and prepared to leave after I was done speaking, coincidentally gazing into a familiar pair of eyes.

Tristan had moved behind me when I wasn't paying attention. He was balancing a wine glass between his fingers, and he looked as if he had been watching me for a long time.

I broke the silence first, speaking in a calm and steady voice that even surprised myself, "Congratulations on your engagement, Mr. Tristan."

Tristan's eyes darkened.

I was very familiar with that look. It was a dead giveaway for when he was about to lose his temper.

However, he couldn't do anything since we were surrounded by guests. In the end, he simply nodded at me before taking his leave, treating me as if I were just one of the guests.

I felt relieved by his reaction. I turned around and led Dad to the side, saying, "I've decided to study abroad, Dad. I want you to come with me. I've already bought the plane tickets and will be leaving tomorrow."

Dad's eyes widened. "What? Why did you suddenly decide to move abroad? Mr. Patrick already promised us that if we continued staying with the Graham family, we wouldn't have to worry about a thing for the rest of our lives."

I smiled. Not wanting to go into detail regarding my reasons, I held his hands tightly and said, "I just want to live for myself for once."

Dad was silent for a long time. It made sense that it wouldn't be easy for him to leave the Grahams since he had stayed with them for more than a decade.

In the end, he sighed and said, "You're the only family I have left since your mother isn't around anymore. I can't just leave you alone. I'll go with you."

My nose stung as I pulled him into a tight hug.

Eventually, I let go of him. I then squeezed past the guests in the yard and returned to my room to pack my belongings.

Suddenly, a pair of hands wrapped around me from behind and clamped over my mouth.

I started struggling wildly.

"It's me," Tristan whispered into my ear. He then dragged me behind the closet and trapped me against the wall.

"It's not what you think. It's just a marriage of convenience. We don't actually have feelings for each other," he said in a rush as if he were desperate to explain himself.

Tristan froze when he noticed the impassive look on my face. "You… Don't you care?" he asked.

My indifference seemed to wound him.

He suddenly leaned down and captured my lips in a kiss. He fumbled with the buttons of my shirt, making quick work of them as his hands traveled downward.

Just then, Madison's voice came from beyond the door, "Tristan? Where did you go?"