Chapter 7

Lena POV

Day three.

I received a call from Ethan's mother demanding I attend Vivian's wedding dress fitting.

Since Ethan had supported me financially for years, I didn't refuse and took a cab to the most elite haute couture bridal shop in the city center.

Inside the shop, Vivian wore a diamond-encrusted train wedding dress, like a princess on high.

Ethan sat on the velvet sofa, gazing at her tenderly. That look had once belonged only to me.

Seeing me enter, Ethan's gaze instantly turned cold, with a punishing edge. "You actually showed up? I thought you'd hide in that dump of a hotel forever."

Ignoring his mockery, I walked straight to the coffee table, pulled out a USB drive from my bag, and placed it in front of him.

"This contains all the design plans and construction proposals for the wedding house. My work is complete."

Ethan looked at the USB drive, irritation suddenly surging in his chest. He stood up abruptly. "What do you mean? Hand over the designs and think you can leave?"

"Lena," Vivian lifted her skirt and walked over, saying sweetly, "the train on this wedding dress seems a bit long. Can you help me adjust it?"

She looked down at me from her elevated position, her eyes full of victor's pride.

I stood without moving.

Ethan spoke coldly. "Lena, help her. I've funded you all these years. Vivian is my fiancée. Don't you understand basic courtesy?"

I looked at Ethan and suddenly laughed.

I obediently crouched down and reached to adjust the elaborate lace train.

Malice flashed in Vivian's eyes as her high heel deliberately stepped forward, the sharp heel aimed straight at the back of my hand.

I quickly pulled my hand back. Vivian stepped on nothing, her body tilting, nearly falling.

"Ah!" Vivian cried out, looking at Ethan aggrieved. "Ethan, Lena deliberately tripped me..."

Ethan caught Vivian, glaring at me furiously. "Lena, are you done yet?!"

I stood up, dusting off my hands, my gaze clear and cold.

"Ethan, I've submitted the designs. The day after tomorrow at the wedding, I will 'attend' on time."

I deliberately emphasized the word "attend."

Hearing me agree to attend the wedding, Ethan's expression eased slightly as he snorted coldly. "Smart of you. You're the girl I raised. You must be present to witness my wedding."

"Of course." I curved my lips into a smile devoid of warmth. "I will witness it."

I turned and walked out of the bridal shop, tossing that gold-embossed wedding invitation into a roadside trash bin.

October 28th.

Today was Ethan and Vivian's wedding of the century.

The ceremony was held at the most luxurious cathedral in downtown Manhattan. I knew that right now the venue must be decorated with tens of thousands of airlifted white roses, numerous guests, extremely extravagant.

But I didn't go.

I went to the international airport thirty kilometers away. In a simple trench coat, I wheeled my suitcase through security.

The airport announcement came on, a sweet female voice. "Passengers traveling to Paris, please note, your flight is now boarding..."

I pulled out my phone and looked at the dozens of missed calls from Ethan. Then I opened the message screen.

I typed out one last line:

"Ethan, happy wedding. That design is my final gift. From now on, we'll never meet again."

I hit send.

Then I blocked Ethan's number, popped out my SIM card, and tossed it into a nearby trash bin.

After that, I walked toward the boarding gate without looking back.