Chapter 9%
Sheldon slammed the gas pedal, speeding home, only to find workers outside, clearing away tree branches. Among the broken branches were crushed rose petals. Fury exploded inside him. “Who told you to touch them? Put them down!“%
The workers hesitated, unsure whether to leave or stay. Sheldon’s expression darkened. “I planted these roses for Briella myself. She cherished them and checked on them every single day. Who gave you the right to cut them down?“Z
The property manager explained, “Mr. Gifford, Miss Jacquin cut them down herself. She called us to dispose of the branches.“2
Sheldon shook his head. “No. That’s impossible. Briella would never do that.“?
You should ask her yourself, but I saw her leaving today with a suitcase. She said she was going abroad and wouldn’t be coming back.”
Sheldon stood there, stunned. “What did you say? Briella left?”
The property manager nodded. Sheldon was stunned, remembering a conversation with Briella a long time ago. They were watching a movie where the male lead deceived the female lead and was never forgiven. Sheldon asked her, “What if I kept something from you? What would you do?”
Briella answered seriously, “Unless you can lie to me forever, the moment I find out, I will disappear from your world.“2
Back then, he was so sure he had everything under control. He ignored the unease that had taken root inside him. Still, Briella had always been someone who loved and hated with absolute certainty. He should have known that once the truth was exposed, there would be no way to keep her. Sheldon let out a bitter laugh. This was his own doing.
The property manager glanced at him warily. “Mr. Gifford, what about the roses?“?
Sheldon gently caressed the ruined petals. “Leave them. Just go.“/
The property manager and the workers left. Sheldon carried all the branches back to the backyard. He tried to put every tree back in its original place, but it wouldn’t bloom as beautifully as before. He was exhausted but still unwilling to give up.
Returning to the house, he searched for Briella everywhere. “Ella, are you playing hide–and–seek with me? Stop hiding, come out, I can’t find you.”
There was no response. The huge villa was like an abandoned garden, eerily empty. Sheldon searched again and again but found that there was no trace of Briella left in the house. Apart from the one–minute video on the computer and his memories, he couldn’t find anything related to her. Briella had erased herself completely. Sheldon sank onto the carpet, covering his eyes with his hand. She was really gone.2
–8
Briella stepped out of the airport, the warm breeze carrying the unique enthusiasm of this foreign land. She raised a hand to shield her eyes from the sun and saw a tall, well–built figure walking toward her. “Ella, long time no see.”
He greeted her casually, leaving Briella momentarily stunned. “Who are you?“}
A flicker of hurt passed through the man’s eyes. “Jared Peterson.“}
