Chapter 14 The Last Day

• After participating in the interview, Stella went to see Paula.
• She discovered that Paula and Cecilia's younger brother had planned to marry Cecilia off to an old man in exchange for three billion.
• Seeing that Nathaniel was silent for a long time, Stella decided to stir the pot, saying, “I heard from Mrs. Smith that Cecilia demanded a betrothal gift of three hundred million. I really didn't expect her to be that kind of person...”
• She paused before adding, “They also mentioned that the cool off period isn't over yet, so it's not appropriate for her to get married. They'll just hold the wedding ceremony first.”
• Unbeknownst to Cecilia, her mother and younger brother were still busy planning her wedding. They didn't take her previous words seriously.
• Paula was convinced that Cecilia wouldn't dare to defy them, just as she hadn't in the past.
• She had faced so many hardships growing up and never once considered leaving—this time would be no different.
• Magnus had already persuaded Randy to transfer the three hundred million betrothal gift in advance, which he then used to start planning his new company. He didn't feel the slightest guilt or that he owed anything to Cecilia.
• One day, Cecilia received a text from her mother: Mr. Larke has picked the date; it's the fifteenth of this month. You have four days left, so prepare yourself well for your marriage. This time, you must capture his heart, understand?
• Upon reading those messages, a wave of indescribable emotions washed over Cecilia.
• The fifteenth...
• It was a day of joyful reunion, the day she and Nathaniel had agreed to finalize their divorce, the day she was forced to marry Randy, and it was also the day she decided to leave the world behind.
• Afraid she might forget, Cecilia took notes of these events in her notebook. After noting it down, she began writing her farewell letters.
• Picking up the pen, she found herself at a loss for words. In the end, she left messages for Martha and Calvin.
• Once she finished writing, she tucked the farewell letters under her pillow.
• Three days later, on the fourteenth, the rain was particularly heavy. Cecilia's phone sat on the coffee table, ringing incessantly.
• The calls were all from Paula, asking where she was. They encouraged her to go home and properly prepare herself for the wedding.
• Cecilia didn't respond. That day, she wore a brand-new dress in a shade of begonia and meticulously applied her makeup.
• She wasn't unattractive—just too thin, with a face too pale. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Cecilia saw a radiant and exquisite version of herself, as if she had traveled back in time to the days before she married Nathaniel.
• She hailed a taxi and headed toward the cemetery. Stepping out of the car, she held an umbrella against the rain and slowly made her way to her father's tombstone, gently placing a bunch of white daisies.
• “Dad,” she whispered. The cold wind howled, leaving only the sound of raindrops hitting the umbrella.
• “I'm sorry... I didn't intend to come here, but I really had nowhere else to go.” Her voice trembled as she continued, “I admit, I'm a coward, scared of going alone. That's why I chose to come to you... If you wish to scold me, then go ahead.”
• After softly uttering her words, Cecilia settled herself next to the tombstone, hugging her body tightly. She unlocked her phone and was greeted by a barrage of malicious messages from Paula.
• Paula: Cecilia! Did you really think you could escape by just hiding?
• Paula: Magnus has already taken the money. Do you really think someone as influential as Mr. Larke would let you off the hook?
• Paula: You better think it through. It's far better to willingly marry tomorrow than to be discovered and forced into marriage.
• “Know what's good for me, huh?”
• She read each message quietly.
• In her reply, Cecilia wrote: I don't want to go back. Tomorrow, come pick me up from the west suburb. I'll be waiting for you all by Dad's tombstone.
• Upon receiving Cecilia's response, Paula didn't give it much thought. She assumed Cecilia had accepted her fate and finally stopped calling.
• Cecilia relished the moment of tranquility. She spent the entire day sitting there.
• As night fell, she took out the small wooden puppet her father had painstakingly carved for her when she was a child. She held it gently against her chest, using her body to shield it from the darkness and the rain.
• As time ticked away, the distant chime of a clock struck twelve. The day had arrived—it was the fifteenth. Cecilia gazed up at the endless, dark sky, a bitter taste lingering in her mouth.
• At three in the morning, with trembling hands, she pulled out a bottle of pills from her bag.
• At that same time, in Daltonia Villa, Nathaniel returned home and settled on the living room couch, not bothering to turn on the lights.
• He was so weary that he pressed his temples and closed his eyes, only to be jolted awake by another nightmare—again about Cecilia. This time, he had dreamt of her death, and it felt so real...
• Checking his phone, he realized it was only four in the morning. Nathaniel was deep in thought, knowing that day was the day the cooling-off period ended, and they had agreed to finalize the divorce.
• He couldn't help but send a text to Cecilia: Don't forget, we're finalizing the divorce today.
• When Cecilia received the text, her mind was already hazy. She mustered her strength to send a voice message, “I'm sorry... I might not be able to make it. But rest assured, we will definitely part ways...”
• After her death, the marriage would naturally cease to matter.
• Listening to Cecilia's voice message, Nathaniel inexplicably felt a sense of unease.
• How could it be possible that Cecilia was dying? She can't bear the thought of dying, let alone divorcing me.
• He couldn't believe it, so he called her.
• Over the years, Cecilia had seldom received calls from Nathaniel. He was always a man of few words, usually communicating through text messages. He had hardly ever called her.
• When Cecilia answered, before she could speak, she heard Nathaniel's icy words. “My patience has its limits. Wasn't it you who first suggested divorce? Are you backing out now because I didn't give you any money? Planning to marry someone else, huh? Three hundred million probably isn't enough, is it?”
• A lump formed in Cecilia's throat, and suddenly, she couldn't hear anything at all. But as the end approached, she refused to admit to things she hadn't done.
• Mustering her last bit of strength, she spoke into the phone. “Nathaniel... when I married you... it was never about your wealth. Thinking of divorce now, it's not about the money either... You might not believe me, but I have to say this... I had no idea when my mom and brother broke the contract. I wouldn't marry anyone now... not even for three hundred million...”
• Her words came out in fits and starts. Hearing her, Nathaniel could tell there was a strong wind blowing on her end, accompanied by the sound of rain.
• “Where are you now?” he asked urgently.
• But Cecilia couldn't hear his voice. She just held onto the phone tightly, explaining over and over again, “If... If I had known what my mother and brother did, I would have never... chosen to marry you. If I had known... that you've always had feelings for Stella... I would have never married you. If I had known that my father would be in a car accident on my wedding day, I... I wouldn't have married you.”
• From Cecilia's words, Nathaniel could hear the deep regret and discontent she had carried for years. He could discern just how much she regretted marrying him.
• Suddenly, his throat felt tight, as if it were clogged with cotton, making it impossible to swallow.
• “What right do you have to regret? Wasn't it you who tearfully insisted on marrying me?” Nathaniel's voice was low, unexpectedly tinged with hoarseness.
• Meanwhile, Cecilia's voice was fading, becoming so faint that Nathaniel could barely hear her. “Cecilia! Where are you now?” he demanded.
• But there was no response. All he heard was Cecilia's final utterance, “Actually... I've always hoped that you could find happiness.”
• Thud!