Chapter 4
When I woke up again, I was inside an unfamiliar carriage.
Sitting across from me was Julian Ashford. I shot straight up.
"You?"
Julian handed me a cup of water.
"You're awake."
"Did you set the fire?"
Julian frowned instantly.
"Of course not. A wall sconce in the hallway was knocked over. It was an accident. Two servants saw it happen."
He leaned back, his tone sharp but steady. "If I had to commit arson to get your attention, that wouldn't be romance. It'd be a felony."
I didn't say anything. He continued explaining:
"I received your letter breaking the engagement, and I heard Edward had locked you up. I was already planning to come find you tonight."
"When the fire broke out, two footmen and I pulled you out through the back window."
"The house was in total chaos. Everyone thought you were still trapped inside."
"Instead of handing you back to Edward while you were unconscious, I decided to take you away first."
"Once the sun is up, my lawyers will notify the local precinct and the Whitmore family's attorneys that you are alive."
"I didn't fake your death. I just gave you a window to decide for yourself where you want to go."
He pulled a parcel from the seat beside him.
Inside was a stack of cash, a train ticket to Upstate New York, a letter of introduction, and a change of clothes.
"From this moment on, you can go anywhere."
"Upstate, or back to the city. You decide."
I stared at him.
In my past life, I actually knew very little about this man.
I only knew from his letters that he was a free spirit who did whatever he pleased.
Looking at him now, his actions were even more outrageous than his writing.
"I'm going to Upstate New York."
Julian nodded.
"Alright."
I was just about to step out of the carriage to head to the train station myself when he suddenly caught my sleeve.
"What a coincidence. I'm heading North to visit my grandfather. We can go together."
I pulled my sleeve out of his grasp.
"We've already broken off our engagement. It's inappropriate for an unmarried man and woman to travel alone together."
Julian's hand hovered in midair. I stepped down from the carriage.
The carriage was parked on the street behind the Whitmore estate. In the distance, chaos still reigned.
I clutched my parcel tightly and walked toward the train station.
As I passed a high-end tailor shop, I unexpectedly heard Edward's voice.
"I'll leave Claire's wedding dress in your capable hands."
A bolt of breathtaking French silk was spread out in front of him. The tailor smiled.
"Rest assured, sir. You've paid double the price. Should we also upgrade Miss Evelyn's previous wedding dress to this material?"
Edward didn't even have to think about it.
"No need. For Evelyn's, just make sure the style looks decent."
A moment later, as if realizing something was off, he added:
"Actually, never mind."
"Make it an evening gown. Otherwise she'll just throw another tantrum when she realizes she lost her wedding."
I stood across the street, a heavy weight crushing my chest.
Right at that moment, a servant sprinted into the shop.
"Sir! The house is on fire!"
Edward shot to his feet.
"How is Claire?"
"Miss Claire is fine! It's Miss Evelyn's room that caught fire!"
His panic instantly morphed into rage.
"What kind of tantrum is she throwing now? Did she start a fire just to force me to let her out?"
"Her room is right next to Claire's! Isn't she afraid of hurting Claire?"
He didn't even ask if I was hurt.
A cold, absolute sense of closure washed over me. I turned and walked toward the station.
From today onward, everything in New York City had absolutely nothing to do with me.