Chapter 5

The day after we landed was the Lanterra Festival.

It was even more breathtaking than I'd imagined. The whole night sky was lit up with sky lanterns, stunning and magical. After letting their lanterns go, people watched them float away, smiling and earnestly making wishes for the future.

I always thought I'd come here with the guy I loved back in my teens, side by side, sending up our lanterns and wishing for a happy life ever after.

But life had other plans. By the time I actually made it here, my heart was in a totally different place.

"What did you wish for?" Olivia blinked at me, watching me carefully.

"Just hoping everything goes smoothly from now on. What about you?" I replied.

She grinned proudly. "I wished Grace's wish to come true."

"Olivia," I said, touched.

Thank goodness I had you, my friend.

On the way back, I tried calling Kyler for a video chat, but as expected, he didn't pick up.

Of course, he didn't. At this hour, he was probably at Loretta's place, checking out her latest lingerie, so there's no way he'd dare answer my call.

Olivia remembered that chat too and let out a dismissive snort, nearly startling the poor driver.

By the time we were already back at the hotel, Kyler took his sweet time to text me: [Just out at a business dinner, babe. I might be home late tonight. I'll let you know when I'm home, okay?]

[No worries, just focus on your work.] I replied, my face blank. Then I put him on Do Not Disturb and went back to enjoying my precious time off with Olivia.

As I set my phone down, it hit me that Kyler and I were really over.

I felt like crying, but maybe Olivia had already shed enough tears for both of us. So I just sat there in a daze for a while, and then let out a few self-mocking laughs.

I laughed at how little he valued my feelings, and at how I'd wasted my heart on someone who never deserved it.

I laughed because, all of a sudden, I remembered a poem I'd read in my schoolbook the year I first fell for Kyler.

"They are not long, the days of wine and roses. Out of a misty dream. Our path emerges for a while, then closes. Within a dream."

I used to be so innocent, thinking that since we had known each other since we were kids and he had always treated me with such warmth and sincerity, there was no way things would ever get so ugly between us.

But feelings really could change in the blink of an eye.

After the Lanterra Festival, we made our way to Charnon.

Life here was way more laid-back than in Maustone. On the weekend, we hit up a few famous markets. Olivia and I were totally hooked on the local tea and ice cream.

At a market, we sat in a little pavilion by the water and made a pact. When we were old and gray, we'd come back here to retire.

In the evening, we went to a place known for its grilled fish. Olivia had looked it up and said it was super famous, but honestly, I was more into their taro ice cream.

On the way back, we skipped the taxi and hopped on a motorbike taxi instead. Under the orange-red sunset, we rode along the small moat back to our hotel, and even the air felt free and easy.

I realized marriage had really tied me down. I was still young, and there were so many possibilities still out there for me.

If I weren't in such a rush to sort things out with Kyler, I'd have loved to stick around here a while longer.

But either way, five days later, our little getaway was over, and I had a real fight waiting for me back home.

"I've already found a lawyer," Olivia said as she packed up for our trip back. "He said all the terms you asked for are all above board, and you could push for even more if you wanted."

I shrugged. "Even better. Only a fool would leave money on the table."

"I'll get in touch with him right away," Olivia said, looking relieved as she started tapping away on her phone. "I was really worried you'd go soft and not fight for what you deserve. Glad you're keeping your head straight, Grace."

"Of course, money matters," I said with a smile. "Maybe it's not always the most important thing, but in this situation, it's the only thing that matters." After all, I was just claiming what's rightfully mine.

After I finished packing, I was feeling bored and started scrolling through my phone. That's when I noticed a new notification in my chat with Kyler. [Babe, are you coming back tomorrow? I'll come pick you up. I miss you so much.]

[You post on your feed but ignore me? I'm getting mad.]

[Babe, please talk to me.]

[Babe, why won't you answer my calls? Olivia's phone is off, too. Did I mess up again?]

[Babe, don't be mad. Next time, I promise I'll come with you, okay?]

Then, it was a notification that Kyler had sent me a transfer of $18,000.

I accepted the money and shot back a reply to his first message. [No need, I'll get back on my own.]

He messaged back soon. [Babe, you've changed. You used to always want me to pick you up. We've been apart for five days. Don't you miss me at all?]

I smirked at his message. I was about to head home, and it was unfair that I was the only one who was with stuff weighing on my heart. After a pause, I replied, [You were the one who changed first.]

Once I sent that, I didn't bother with him anymore and left the airport with Olivia.