Chapter 6
Everyone was aware that Lina was leaving the literary world, and social media had been buzzing with the news for days. Lina had disabled comments on her posts. Her latest book was a final goodbye to her fans, and the demand for signed copies was far greater than anticipated
Eric had only noticed the changes in the study. Had he looked more closely, he would have realized that aside from Lina, the divorce papers, and that jade pendant, nothing else in the house was hers
anymore.
As Lina departed, she couldn’t resist glancing back. This place had hosted her dream for five years and witnessed its demise. Once she left, there would be no return.
“Honey, what are you looking at? It’s time to head to the venue,” Eric called from next to the car.
Lina smiled and walked forward confidently. Leaving this place felt like a new beginning. Lina, you deserve a better life.
When they arrived at the venue, a crowd had already gathered. Just as they were about to go in, Eric got a call from Bonnie.
“Eric, my stomach is in pain. Can you take me to the hospital?”
Eric’s face turned pale with worry.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be there right away!”
After ending the call, Eric looked at Lina, who smiled, waiting for him
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to speak. She knew only Bonnie could make him react this way, and she was curious about his decision. But Eric shattered her last hope- he chose Bonnie.
“Honey, there’s an urgent matter at the company. I’m sorry, but I can’t go to the launch with you. I’m really sorry.”
In that moment, Lina felt a sense of calm. Thank you, Eric, for helping me let go.
“It’s alright. Go handle it. This isn’t really that important anyway.”
Eric gave her a grateful kiss on the forehead, as though he had just been granted a royal decree.
“Sorry, honey. I’ll come back to pick you up later, I promise. Wait for
me.”
Even before his words had fully faded, Eric was already gone. That was when Lina got a message from Bonnie.
“Lina, haven’t you given up yet? I’ve been more important than you for ages–in bed and in his heart. I think you should quit while you’re ahead. After all, I’m pregnant with the Absom family’s heir. That alone makes you irrelevant.”
Lina barely glanced at the message before lifting her head and walking confidently into the venue. She hadn’t lost–she just decided not to be part of a love triangle anymore. The one who lets go first is always the real winner.
“Lina, thank you for your words that have been with me all these years. No matter where you are, we’ll always be your fans.”
“Lina, if you ever want to come back, we’ll still be your strongest
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support.”
“Lina, remember you still owe me a script! I’m keeping track!”
***
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As Lina gazed at the lively crowd in front of her, tears began to form in her eyes. Among the attendees were fans, colleagues, and collaborators -all gathered to bid her farewell. However, the one person who should have been steadfastly supporting her was instead standing beside another woman.
At that moment, a notification from Instagram appeared. It was Bonnie’s latest post.
“Two little troublemakers, you gave mommy and daddy quite a scare! So relieved you’re both alright.”
The photo showed a pair of hands placed on her belly, with the man’s shiny wedding ring piercing someone’s heart–though it was unclear
whose.
Lina moved to the center of the stage and offered a deep bow to the
audience.
“Thank you for your love and support throughout the years. Although I’m hesitant to leave the literary world, I will hold each of you dear in my heart. May your lives shine even brighter than mine!”
With tears mingling with her smile, Lina said goodbye to the crowd. It didn’t trouble her that Eric wasn’t there wasn’t she surrounded by numerous people who truly cared? He was just a callous man; why cling to him?
As the autumn breeze turned chillier, who could tell how many others
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would drift apart during this solitary season?
Lina took a taxi directly from the event to the airport–her luggage had already been sent ahead. She felt flecting gratitude that Bonnie had kept Eric occupied, sparing her the need to make up an excuse to leave unnoticed. Lina chuckled at herself wryly; in retrospect, Bonnie wasn’t entirely the villain.
From the moment she entered the airport, she never once glanced back. As the plane ascended from the city, Lina finally released a deep breath. She had left behind not just a man, but also a career she had once passionately loved. From this point forward, it was truly a new beginning.
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