ตำหนักจันทรา ข้ามเวลารักนิรันดร์

"R-Really?" My mother looked at me suspiciously.

For all these years, I had barely spent a moment away from Nolan.

Even today, on the day he was getting married, he had only been able to leave after staying with me for an entire week.

I gave a bitter smile. "His heart isn't with me anymore. What's the point of holding on?"

My mother's expression finally relaxed. She wrapped her arms around me and sobbed uncontrollably.

I did not know how much time passed before she finally spoke hesitantly. "Then… are you really okay staying here by yourself? I… Nolan wants me to officiate his wedding…"

That was when I learned that my mother had personally introduced Evelyn Brook to Nolan.

I nodded numbly. I could understand her. Relatives throughout the Swift family worked for the Drake Group.

Maybe, to her, Nolan was more important than her own daughter.

My mother left, visibly relieved.

…

However, after all those years with Nolan, I somehow ended up following my mother to the wedding.

White bellflowers and blue balloons. It was exactly the kind of wedding Nolan and I had once planned.

"Chloe?" Sasha Wingate, my best friend, was the first to notice me.

I clutched the hem of my dress, suddenly exposed beneath everyone's gaze with nowhere to hide.

Nolan had been about to kiss the bride, but he instinctively backed away. He turned stiffly and forced out a few words. "Ho—Chloe? What are you doing here?"

The entire room was filled with contempt and disdain.

He stumbled toward me, words tumbling out as he tried to explain. "Chloe, listen to me. This was just an accident. I…"

Before I could say anything, my mother screamed and rushed over, pinching the soft flesh of my arm hard. "You promised me you wouldn't come! Why are you here?"

I hissed in pain.

"Mom… Mrs. Swift, don't hurt Chloe!" Nolan instinctively stepped in to defend me.

But Sasha frowned. "Hasn't she dragged you down enough? It's been three years. When was the last time you got a good night's sleep? She's using her depression to make your life miserable every single day."

She paused, then muttered a few words under her breath. "A woman who's already been raped, and she still has the nerve to show up at the wedding and defile it…"

My fingertips went white.

Three years ago, I had risked my life to save Nolan after a rival kidnapped him.

I was assaulted.

From that day on, I was plagued by nightmares.

Whenever I bit Nolan's hand until it was covered in blood, I would come back to my senses and feel terrible. He would only shake his head and say, "I owe you this."

"Enough!" Nolan snapped at Sasha.

But then a soft voice rang out, taking away whatever strength Nolan had left to defend me.

"So, you must be Ms. Swift. Welcome to my wedding with Nolan."

She held out a glass of champagne to me with perfect composure. Her beautiful wedding dress outlined her elegant figure.

Then, I looked at myself, gaunt and wasted from cancer. I instinctively took several steps back.

Evelyn's hand remained suspended in the air as she looked toward Nolan.

He frowned and pulled me aside. "Go home for now. I'll explain everything later. Don't put everyone in an awkward position."

"Okay."

My quick agreement seemed to catch Nolan off guard.

But at that moment, a sudden, excruciating pain churned through my stomach. My face went pale, and I doubled over.

Nolan's expression changed. He quickly pulled me into a corner.

"Please. Don't make a scene here, okay? If you do, the Drake family won't let us be together anymore."

Sasha strode over and stepped in front of Nolan, shielding him from me as she glared at me. "Didn't you promise me you wouldn't put on an act? Are you having another episode?"

I did not dare speak. I was afraid the metallic taste of blood in my throat would escape.

At that, Sasha shoved me out of the reception hall. "You promised me. Don't use your depression to get sympathy! Chloe, I really regret ever being your friend."

The strong metallic taste of blood filled my mouth, and I could only swallow back my tears as I hurried away.

If everyone had already given up on me, there was no need to say goodbye.

I bought a ticket back to my hometown.

For whatever time I had left, I no longer wanted to be anyone's burden.