Chapter 10

I woke up bright and early.

I watered all the plants in the house and made myself a hearty breakfast.

All my belongings in the bedroom had completely vanished.

"Izzy, I'll pick you up at 12."

It was a message from Liam.

I replied with "Okay."

I was leaving the country.

Picking up the coffee from the table, I leaned on the balcony, lost in thought.

Perhaps things would get better from now on?

When Alex returned, this was the scene he walked into.

"Izzy, can you stop being mad, please?"

He pulled me into his arms from behind.

"Once Serena settles in here, I'll cancel the engagement, but as her guardian, I still have to take care of her."

Listening to Alex's words, my heart felt not a single ripple anymore.

"Alex, do whatever you want, you don't need to tell me."

Seeing my calm demeanor, Alex thought I had truly come to terms with it.

"I'll talk to my family about marriage, and we'll have two beautiful babies. Everything will be fine."

With that, he pulled a velvet box from his pocket.

"Izzy, didn't you say you liked this? I had someone bring back an even better one."

It was the ring I had yearned for so much.

Alex knelt on one knee and slid the ring onto my ring finger.

"Izzy, stay by my side."

I inspected the ring on my hand. It was indeed beautiful, even more stunning than Serena's.

But I didn't need it anymore.

Seeing my expression, Alex kissed my forehead.

"I'm off to the company. I'll be back for dinner tonight."

I didn't answer. Alex just smiled helplessly.

He always thought I’d eventually be appeased, and even if I was angry, I’d eventually get over it myself.

Alex left with a relieved mind.

I took off the ring and placed it back in the box on the table.

It was almost noon.

Liam came upstairs to help me with my luggage.

"Thanks for your hard work, Liam."

Liam, inadvertently flexing his bicep, smiled and said.

"It's my honor to help you, Izzy."

We got into the car together and headed for the airport.

The scenery outside the window kept changing.

A news headline popped up.

"Thorne Group CEO spotted dining with new love at Sycamore Tree Restaurant, the two sharing laughter."

The news was taken down within a minute.

But I still saw it.

The photo showed Alex and Serena.

The Sycamore Tree Restaurant was where Alex and I first fell in love five years ago.

Turning off my phone, I said to Liam.

"I heard Germany is a food desert. Will we starve?"

Liam chuckled.

"Don't worry, Izzy, I'm a good cook."

I laughed too.

We picked up our boarding passes and boarded the plane together.

Before leaving, I sent Alex one last message.

"Alex, we're not getting married."

After sending it, I deleted his contact information.

Then I turned off my phone.

When Alex received the message, he was shopping with Serena.

He shook his head and replied.

"Izzy, I've already lowered myself. What more do you want from me?"

But it showed a red exclamation mark.

He started calling, but the phone was constantly off.

"Serena, here's my card. Buy whatever you want."

Serena pouted.

"Alex, is it her again?"

Alex was anxious, but he kept a smile on his face.

"No, just some urgent business. I'll be back later."

Serena finally nodded.

Alex rushed home.

The living room was neatly cleaned; their matching couple's mugs were still there.

He breathed a sigh of relief, then rushed into the bedroom.

The photos he had once displayed, Izzy's clothes and belongings – all gone.

Alex couldn't believe it. He frantically searched for any trace of Izzy.

Then he saw the box on the table.

That exquisitely beautiful ring lay quietly inside.

A note beside it read.

"I've gone abroad. Goodbye."