Chapter 4
As I stepped outside, someone recognized me.
"Couldn't even wait until after the ceremony to come apologize?"
I paid them no mind.
It wasn't until the ribbons began drifting down from the sky that I finally looked up.
On each and every ribbon, I had written a message of blessing.
Seeing those thousands of silk strips fluttering in the air, I couldn't help but remember the boy who once swore he'd marry no one but me.
I had imagined countless ways our story might end.
I just never thought it would be like this.
In my heart, that boy was already dead.
And there was no reason left for me to linger in this house.
The sound of celebratory cannons filled the air just as I stepped through the main gates of the Evans Estate.
Miles didn't believe he had done anything wrong.
Two years ago, he had gradually started remembering his time with Scarlett, piece by piece.
But what did it matter?
As he had said, the Evans family would never allow him to marry a woman with no family, no connections.
After his father's passing, if he wanted to secure the family's legacy, he needed a wife with a powerful background, someone who could help maintain the Evans' century-old prominence.
As for Scarlett, he felt he had been more than generous.
A woman with nothing, yet she was allowed to stay in the Evans Estate, addressed respectfully as Mrs. Evans by everyone. Wasn't that more than she'd ever had?
If she wasn't satisfied, that was her own greed talking.
Yet, for some reason, a restless anxiety had been gnawing at him these past few days.
Scarlett's behavior had been... unusual.
Especially last night, when she said she was "going home."
She was an orphan. Where could she possibly go?
It was surely just a petty tactic, a play for his attention amid the wedding.
After the ceremony, he decided, he would indulge her a little, soothe her wounded pride.
He only needed to mention recalling some small, shared memory from their past, and she would light up with happiness, as always.
"Mr. Evans..." The head steward approached him hurriedly. "Mrs. Evans... isn't in her room."
Miles frowned.
The ceremony was complete. Everyone was waiting for Scarlett to come out and apologize to Delilah.
A maid rushed over as well, holding out a small pile of torn paper. "Sir, look what I found..."
It was their marriage certificate, meticulously shredded.
Miles clenched the fragments tightly in his fist. "What is the meaning of this?"
Hearing the commotion, Delilah immediately swept over. "What's wrong? Is she refusing to come?"
She pouted, feigning sympathy. "I told you she doesn't truly care about you, Miles."
Miles strode quickly toward the bedroom.
It wasn't possible for her to be gone.
She couldn't leave him.
In the past, no matter how harshly he had treated her, she had stubbornly refused to go.
How could she possibly leave on her own now?
But the room was indeed empty.
Not only was she gone, but every single trace of her had been erased.
In a fury, he stormed out, only to stop short as he noticed the writing on the red ribbons still drifting in the sky.
He stood frozen.
Did she... know everything?
"Send everyone out." he commanded, his voice tight. "Turn Guswe city upside down if you have to, but find her and bring her back."
"Miss, we've done as you instructed. Bella's employment contract has been voided, and she's already on a plane back to her hometown." My assistant delivered the report from the passenger seat.
"Okay." I nodded, my gaze fixed on the world outside the window.
The ribbons had finally disappeared from view.
"Miss, we're about to leave Guswe City. Is there anything left you need to do here?"
I thought for a moment. "No," I replied softly. "There's nothing."
As we drove out of Guswe city, I saw a fleet of black cars speeding past in the opposite direction.
But none of that had anything to do with me anymore.
My assistant directed the driver to a small, unassuming park on the outskirts.
After I got out, I noticed a car parked in the distance.
The door opened, and a man with a face both familiar and strangely unfamiliar emerged.
I hadn't expected him to come in person.
But... what was I supposed to call him?
Before I could find the words, he strode forward and pulled me into a tight embrace.
"Layla... my daughter."