Chapter 11

For ten years, these people had grown tired of me, eager to cut all ties.They rushed to pick Julian up from the airport,to wash away the so-called bad luck with a happy occasion.To have him marry Chloe and continue the family's honor and status.Twenty minutes later, ceremonial cannons boomed in front of the estate.Julian flinched, staring in shock at the brightly lit mansion."What is this?" he asked, his voice tight with confusion."Quick, change into this," Julian's cousin handed him a black tuxedo."It's custom-made. A perfect fit."Julian mechanically took the suit.As I shook my head,Julian's mother nodded repeatedly, pulling Julian inside to change.When I first came to this family, Julian's mother had shown me the heirloom wedding dress.Back then, I had imagined what Julian would look like in a groom's tuxedo.He was just as I had pictured: broad shoulders, a narrow waist, the black tailcoat making him look impossibly elegant.The ceremony had been simplified to suit Juli

Chapter 12

By the time Julian arrived,the funeral was almost over.Dr. Martinez had finished my eulogy, and the children from the hospital bowed their heads in a moment of silence.This Christmas, every child's stocking would have its own gift.No one knew if anyone would remember them next year.The children's soft singing echoed in the quiet cemetery.A Christmas carol that, for some reason, brought tears to everyone's eyes.It was then that Julian saw my name on the gravestone.And my photograph, forever gazing back at him with a faint smile.Standing by the grave were the doctor, nurses, fellow patients, and children who had seen me off.Against the sea of solemn black, his tuxedo was a jarring sight.And yet, he was the one crying most desperately."Ava, what kind of joke is this?""You said you were at a retreat. You said you'd have no reception.""I believed everything you said. How could you just leave me like this?"I sat on my own gravestone, watching calmly as he fell to his knees, cl

Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 11 - Chapitre 12

Chapter 11

Chapter 12