Chapter 20
The old man had been trying for years to convince his granddaughter to move overseas, but she always refused. So, when he suddenly heard her say otherwise, he was taken completely by surprise. “Ella, what did you say?! Are you really willing to come live with us? I’ll have your uncle buy an even bigger villa right away! When will you come? Is tomorrow’s flight too soon? Maybe I should have your uncle pick you up.”
Briella felt a bitter taste on her tongue. “No need, Grandpa. I’ll come on the seventh of next month by myself.“}
The old man was so overjoyed that he said “good” several times in a row. Then, as if realizing something, he asked worriedly, “Why the sudden decision? Did someone bully you over there?“}
Briella thought about the messages in the group chat and a sharp pain pierced her heart. She could picture Sheldon’s expression, that casual mockery and smugness. However, none of that mattered anymore. She had loved fiercely and even if she had misplaced that love, she could afford to lose. She would sort out her feelings and everything that came with them.”}
Her grandfather was already old. There was no need to add to his worries. Forcing a smile, Briella reassured him, “No, I just miss you all.“}
The older man, comforted by her words, happily chatted with her for a while longer before finally hanging up. Briella got out of bed, took a shower and sat in the living room, planning her next steps. The video was clearly recorded by a surveillance camera. The top priority now was to find its location. She had to delete the footage to prevent anything unexpected from happening at the awards ceremony. Then, there was what they had mentioned about Sheldon’s childhood friend’s death.
Briella was leaving, but she would leave with her name clear. She refused to take the blame for something she never did. With that thought, Briella picked up her phone and made a call. She was grateful that when she first learned about the profession of content reviewer, she had decisively taken it up as a side job to save money.
That job gave Briella not only a stable way to earn income from home by drawing but also access to all kinds of people. After the call ended, the door swung open. Sheldon stepped inside, wrapped in the night, his eyes filled with familiar affection. “Checking up on me already? Good thing I made it back in time,” he teased.
Briella instinctively tightened her grip on her phone, lowering her gaze to hide the redness in her eyes. She couldn’t understand. How could someone be this good at acting? He had faked his love for five whole years. She asked calmly, “Why are you back so early?“}
“I missed you.” Sheldon walked over and pulled her into his lap. With a gentle tug, the belt of her robe came loose. Briella pressed down on his hand. “We already did it multiple times today.”
Sheldon chuckled. “Can’t handle it? What should I do then? Every time I see my baby, I just can’t control myself. I wish I could spend a lifetime tangled up with you.”
A lifetime? What a cruel joke. Briella turned her face away, avoiding his lips as they came closer. “I’m exhausted today. I want to sleep.”
Seeing the weariness between her brows, Sheldon didn’t push. Briella soon drifted off, but her dreams were filled with memories of their past. The next morning, when she woke up, Sheldon was already gone. By the bedside, he had left a note. Off to make money for my baby. Eat well and wait for me.>
In the past, seeing those little notes would make Briella happy for the whole day. Now, they only made her sick. Every word on them felt like a cruel joke, mocking her misery. Briella tore the notes to shreds and threw them in the trash. After a quick breakfast, she began searching the villa for hidden cameras. However, after a whole morning of searching, she found nothing. Briella grew increasingly agitated and made a bold decision.}
When Sheldon returned, he saw her taking a painting down from the wall. The backyard was already piled high with things. Their first photo together, the matching couple items they had bought, the collectible ornaments he had gifted her, stuffed animals from every room and the portrait she had breathlessly painted for him during one of their most passionate nights in the studio. Sheldon paused for a moment, surprised. “Baby, what are you doing?”
Briella tossed the painting aside like garbage. “Burning it.” If she couldn’t find the cameras, she would burn everything to the ground.}
Sheldon frowned, clearly confused. “These are our memories. Weren’t they your most treasured things?“}
Briella didn’t answer. Without a word, she lit the pile on fire. The flames devoured the past, the orange glow flickering against her face. A strange feeling rose in Sheldon’s heart. Like something was slipping away, burning along with those things. He pulled her into his arms. “If you want to burn them, then burn them. They’re just old things. We have plenty of time to make new memories.“}
There is no future, Sheldon. From the moment you set this trap, we were doomed.
“But I really like that portrait. How about painting another one for me?” His fingers teasingly traced her waist, clearly reminiscing about that night. Briella dodged him. “I won’t be painting again until after the 7th of next month.”
Sheldon frowned. “Why?“>
She stared at the roaring flames, exhaustion seeping into her bones. “I’m tired. I need a break.“}
Sheldon didn’t doubt his girlfriend. “That’s fine. The 7th is a big day for you. Get some rest so people don’t say the rising star of the art world looks worn out.“!
Briella let out a soft, unreadable smile. “Will you be there that day?“}
Sheldon was silent for a few seconds before smiling. “Of course. How could I miss your most important moment? I’ve even prepared a big surprise for you.”D
Her breath caught. Her fingers curled, nails digging into her palms. “Good. I have a gift for you too.”
Sheldon chuckled. “I’ll be looking forward to it.”
I hope you really are. Briella turned and walked back inside. Just then, Sheldon’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen out of habit. She could only see Lia’s part on the screen. He stepped away to answer, his voice low and intimate. A while later, he came back and kissed
Rriella’s forehead “Something urgent came up at the company I have to an I’ll be back later”
9:07 PM
Briella’s forehead. “Something urgent came up at the company. I have to go. I’ll be back later.“%
Briella nodded obediently, but his “later” turned into the whole night. He sent a message explaining that work had been complicated. She didn’t reply. Instead, she packed a bag and headed to the immigration office. Her grandfather had already arranged everything, but some documents had to be submitted in person. The process would take a month, but Briella couldn’t wait that long. She begged and pleaded, trying to get it expedited. As she stepped out of the building, her footsteps suddenly halted.
Ahead of her, she saw Sheldon walking side by side with another woman. The woman was holding his arm, her head resting on his shoulder, looking petite and dependent. Sheldon was talking to her, his expression gentle and familiar, yet also strange. He seemed to have looked at her that way before, yet it felt different. Perhaps this was the person he truly loved.
Suddenly, Sheldon looked up. Briella hurriedly looked away, but it was too late. Their eyes met and Sheldon instinctively pushed the woman’s hand away and strode toward her. Seeing the sign for the immigration office, he frowned slightly. “Briella, what are you doing here? Are you immigrating?“>
Briella’s heart tightened and she lied, “No, I’m just picking something up for a friend.“%
Sheldon seemed to relax. The woman followed closely behind. As she got closer, Briella realized the woman’s face was almost identical to Sheldon’s childhood sweetheart. But his childhood sweetheart had died. Back then, the news had caused quite a stir at their college.%
“Briella, what a coincidence! Fancy running into you here. I’m Celia Law.” Oh, so this is the “Lia” in Sheldon’s contacts. Celia and Briella’s were almost similar, but they were worlds apart in his heart. One was his beloved, the other his enemy.❞
A bitter taste filled Briella’s mouth, but her expression remained indifferent as she shook the woman’s hand. Celia naturally leaned into Sheldon again. “We were just on our way to an art exhibition. Why don’t you come with us, Briella? You could even be our guide.“%
Briella didn’t want to go. Although she had decided to let go of Sheldon, it would take time to erase someone she had loved for so many years from her heart. However, before she could refuse, Celia mouthed something to her. “The video.” Briella’s body stiffened and she gripped her handbag tightly.”
