My Last Wish Was to Marry You のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 21 - チャプター 30

Ian caught sight of something peeking out from beneath the pillow. He set the picture frame on the bed and lifted the pillow.It was a box containing only a diary.He hesitated for a long time before he found the courage to open it.The first page held a single line…[As surely as trees grow on hills and branches grow on trees, I love you, though you do not know.]The date beneath it was the same as the one on the picture frame.The pages that followed recorded the happy and embarrassing moments of their school days.A simple greeting, an accidental touch, an innocent gesture.Rowan’s feelings came through in every word.She had been so openhearted, happy, and full of hope.Before he knew it, Ian was smiling gently.Then the entries changed.One read: [Ian and Tina broke up today. He drank too much. I only meant to look after him, but I never expected…]Ian froze. He once suspected Rowan used what happened that night to bind them together for good.Had she been telling him the truth

Before Rowan entered the waiting area, Ian called out, “I didn’t get married!”[You’re the one I want to spend my life with.]Rowan’s mother saw her red eyes and grew angry. “What did that awful man do to you now?”Rowan meant to let Ian go, but she knew it would take time.The moment he said he hadn’t married Tina, her tears began to fall.“He didn’t do anything. Something blew into my eyes.”Her mother smiled with helpless affection. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I only want you to be happy.”“I know. Thanks, Mom!”Rowan slept for much of the flight and had a long dream.She dreamed she chased a boy across mountains and rivers, through days and nights, but never quite reached him.At last, she grew too tired to go on. She lay on soft grass, breathed in its fresh scent, and gazed at the blue sky....Rowan stayed in Valdoria for one year before returning to the country.Over the past year, she visited nearly every part of Valdoria. The trip did her good. For once

Rowan gave an awkward smile. “Of course not.”The smile vanished as soon as she turned away.Her mother saw through her. Rowan could try to hide her feelings, but her mother knew her too well. “Rowan, have you forgotten how he treated you?”“I haven’t,” Rowan said quietly.“Then why do you still…”Rowan didn’t know why. So much time passed, yet she still couldn’t forget Ian.The certainty she had shown a year ago now felt misplaced.“I’m going out for a walk.”The city glowed with color at night, but Rowan kept to the shadows, afraid to step into the light.She feared that if she did, she could no longer hide what was in her heart.She felt miserable. When she happened to pass a bar, she went in without quite knowing why.The music was loud, and the easy atmosphere and smell of alcohol helped push her thoughts away.A few more drinks might make her forget them altogether.Rowan drank until she was thoroughly drunk. She picked up a bottle with half its contents left and drained it.

So, Ian decided to reclaim Ford Enterprises from Rowan’s father.He built Yanshore Group into one of the country’s leading companies so he could prove himself capable of taking the family business back.He also wanted to learn the truth about his parents’ deaths.That was the secret he uncovered by chance.During a business trip overseas, Ian met a former associate of Ford Enterprises.The man said their companies agreed to work together fourteen years ago. Before they could sign the contract, he heard that Ian’s parents died in a car accident.Ian asked whether any other company approached him about a partnership at the time.The man thought for a long while. “There was a small company that had just started. After I turned them down, they seemed to disappear.”“What was it called?” Ian asked.“Quinn Group.”Ian studied the information he found on Quinn Group. The company was registered fourteen years ago, but its trail ended there.Still, something that happened always left a trace.

Chase shrugged. “Need any help?”“Not really…”Before Rowan could finish, her phone rang. It was her mother.Rowan had only just left home. What could her mother want?She answered. “Hi, Mom. What’s up?”It sounded noisy on her mother’s end, as though she were dining with a group in a private room. “Rowan, will you come with me to a friend’s party tomorrow night?”“A party?” Rowan wanted to refuse. “Why don’t you take Dad?”“Your father’s away on business all week,” her mother said with a sigh.“All right. Do I need to prepare anything?”Her mother sounded delighted. “Just put on some makeup and pick out something nice to wear from home.”Rowan had a bad feeling. “Mom, you aren’t trying to set me up with someone, are you?”Chase’s smile stiffened.“Of course not,” her mother said at once. “It’ll be full of company executives in their thirties and forties. I wouldn’t try to marry my darling daughter off to one of them.”Rowan felt a little better. “All right. I’ll be home soon.”As soo