Chapter 10
Mason’s vision blurred and his body began trembling uncontrollably. He stumbled backward several steps, then suddenly lost all strength, sliding down the wall to the floor.
He felt wetness on his face. When he reached up to touch it, he realized it was his tears.
“Lyra… Lyra…”
His voice was raw, each word tearing through his heart.
Mason didn’t notice that the airport was filled with many others just as devastated as he was. Some were frantically questioning staff about how such a crash could happen, others were sobbing hysterically, and still others were asking in bewilderment: Why did their loved ones have to die like this? Why?
No one could answer that question.
He didn’t know how long he sat there before the announcement changed. Following the broadcast’s instructions, Mason went to collect Lyra’s remains–a small pile of ashes.
Just as he reached for them, the staff member suddenly pulled them back, looking troubled.
“Sir, I’m sorry. We’ve found that Ms. Blackwood was divorced. You’re her ex–husband, which means you don’t have the right to claim her remains. We’ll contact Ms. Blackwood’s family members instead.”
Mason’s outstretched hand froze in mid–air. He suddenly remembered–he and Lyra were divorced.
He couldn’t even claim her remains!
In that moment, Mason’s mind went completely blank. He felt like he’d been standing there forever, yet also like only a second had passed, when he heard his hoarse voice speak
“That wasn’t a real divorce. I’m still Lyra’s husband. We were just pretending to be divorced–it was fake, all fake…”
“I’m sorry, but legally speaking, you’re no longer her husband.” The staff member nodded gravely, then called the next name in line.
Mason stood there in a daze, watching as one by one, people collected the remains of their most important person. But he–because of that ridiculous fake divorce decision–had lost all connection to Lyra!
“Ah… Lyra…” He let out a pained howl.
Finally, Mason didn’t know how he made it home. When he stumbled back in a stupor, Willow was still sitting on the couch in her wedding dress, crying, while his parents comforted her.
Mason didn’t have the energy to deal with any of this. He lifted his foot to go upstairs to his room, but his mother harshly scolded him.
“Mason, do you realize what a huge mistake you made today? You left Willow alone at the wedding! If you ask me, Lyra’s dead and good riddance. What’s the point of keeping around a woman who can’t even have kids? You and Willow should just make this marriage real.”
His father said nothing but nodded approvingly,
Willow’s heart leaped with joy, though she put on a grief–stricken expression. “I understand how Mason feels. Let’s give him a few days to process, then we can have another wedding ceremony.” She walked over gently. “Mason, my condolences.”
That was Lyra’s wedding dress.
Mason suddenly snapped to attention. His mouth moved several times. Willow couldn’t hear clearly. “Mason, what did you say?”
“I said, you’re wearing Lyra’s wedding dress. Take it off. You don’t deserve to wear Lyra’s clothes.” Mason dodged her hand, his voice cold.
Willow’s face stiffened, forcing a smile. “You’re right. Now that Lyra’s passed away, it’s not appropriate for me to keep wearing her dress. We’ll buy a
Chapter 10
new one for the makeup ceremony, okay?”
His parents nodded, speaking as if it was already decided. “Willow’s right. It’s bad luck to touch dead people’s things. We’ll definitely need to buy a new wedding dress. And Lyra’s room–everything in there should be burned. Willow and the baby will need to live there eventually.”
Hearing Mason’s parents‘ words, even though Willow was trying to appear considerate and sorrowful, she couldn’t help the corners of her mouth turning up.
She’d schemed and done so much–wasn’t it all for this day?
Willow reached out again to support Mason. “Mason, Lyra’s gone, but you still have me and the baby. From now on, our family of three can be together.”
Something in that sentence hit a nerve. Mason suddenly looked up. “Get out! Get the hell away from me!”
Willow jumped back in shock, stumbling and instinctively clutching her belly. “It hurts, Mason…”
His parents immediately rushed to her side, but Mason didn’t even glance their way as he went straight to his room and slammed the door hard.
Shutting out the chaos outside, he slid down against the door.
“Lyra…”
