Chapter 21
The cemetery was cloaked in morning mist. Vanessa held a bouquet of white roses as she walked along the stone pathway. Her fingertips unconsciously traced the velvet box in her pocket.
Matthias’ headstone stood quietly in the corner.
“Matthias, I’ve come to see you,” she murmured, crouching down as she gently brushed fallen leaves from the grave.
Then, she laid the roses carefully before the stone. After that, she took out the silver ring and placed it beside the flowers.
“Back to where it belongs,” she whispered, her fingertips resting briefly against the cold surface of the headstone. “I promised you I’d keep living… but this time, I’m living for myself.
A gentle breeze stirred, causing the roses to sway lightly like a silent response.
Vanessa stood up as sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on her face. She smiled with a sense of relief.
In the distance, Alexander leaned against an oak tree, quietly watching this scene. He shouldn’t have come, yet he couldn’t control himself.
He watched her bend down to place the ring, the faint smile that spread across her face as she spoke to the headstone, and her light steps as she turned to leave.
In that moment, Alexander finally understood that he had lost her forever. However, it wasn’t because she had lost her memories, but because she had finally truly let go.
She had let go of Matthias, hatred, and everything.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. It was a message from Adrian, his assistant. “Ms. Watson’s buyer pulled out. She was arrested for fraud and attempted homicide. Should we take action?”.
Alexander locked his screen, his gaze following the increasingly distant figure. Only after Vanessa completely disappeared at the cemetery entrance did he reply, “No need.”
He walked to Matthias’ grave, looking at the face on the headstone that resembled his own. He
couldn’t help but feel somewhat dazed.
In the bookstore, Vanessa was organizing the last batch of orders. The wind chimes tinkled as Janice pushed through the door, holding a letter.
Chapter 21
“Are you really leaving?” Janice asked reluctantly.
Vanessa smiled as she accepted the letter. “I’m going to travel for a while. Here’s next month’s order schedule. I’ve explained everything to Melanie Spears.”
The cab slowly drove out of the small town as Vanessa watched the gradually receding streetscape in the rearview mirror, feeling surprisingly calm.
Her phone displayed the flight information she had just booked. She was heading to Prabrurgh, the city Matthias had once promised to take her to, but could never fulfill.
The airport terminal was brightly lit. After completing her check-in, Vanessa turned around and nearly collided with a tall figure.
She looked up and met Alexander’s deep, steady gaze. She instinctively stepped back as she mumbled, “What…”
“Don’t worry,” Alexander said, raising both hands to show he meant no harm. “I’m just here to see you off.”
The boarding announcement echoed through the terminal as crowds began moving toward security. The two stood an arm’s length apart, yet it felt like a vast ocean stretched between
them.
Alexander finally spoke first. “Prabrurgh is beautiful. In spring, the cherry blossoms along the Sierra River—”
“How do you know I’m going to Prabrurgh?” Vanessa interrupted him.
Alexander smiled bitterly. “I promised not to interfere with your life anymore, but at least… let me know where you’re going.”
He handed her an envelope and added, “This contains something you might need.”
Vanessa didn’t take it. “I don’t need your
“It’s not money,” he corrected her softly. “It’s Matthias’ diary. I think… he would want you to
read it.”
The envelope was thin, yet she could tell what was inside. After a moment of hesitation, Vanessa accepted it. Her fingertips accidentally brushed Alexander’s hand, causing both to pull away like they’d been shocked.
“Thank you,” she mumbled as she put the envelope in her carry-on bag. “But I’m not going to
“I know,” Alexander said before she could finish. His voice was unexpectedly gentle. “I just wanted to do one last thing for the two of you. As for everything else… Have a good trip,
Chapter 21
Vanessa.”
It was the first time he’d said her name without guilt and possessiveness. It was just a sincere, simple goodbye.
Vanessa gave him a small nod and turned away without looking back.
Alexander remained where he stood, watching her figure fade into the crowd. He remembered how Vanessa had said she didn’t hate him, but she would never live for him again.
She truly did it.
As the plane soared into the sky, Vanessa finally opened the diary. On the first page was Matthias’ familiar handwriting.
“To my dearest Nessa, may you find the courage to live for yourself.”
Outside the window, a sea of clouds, bathed in golden light, stretched endlessly beneath her. She gently traced those words and suddenly discovered a photograph tucked into the last page.
Tears fell silently, but this time, they were warm.
Vanessa closed the diary and looked out the window at the boundless blue sky. She knew this journey wouldn’t carry the weight of the past anymore, but only her brand-new future.
