“Kaylee! mom and dad have been searching for you for 7,236 days, and we’ve finally found you!”

In Evergreen Cemetery, a well–dressed, elegant woman clung to my hand, crying her heart out.

“All these years you’ve been lost, your father and I have been searching for you around the world. Each day was a painful wait. Now that we’ve finally found you, and since your adoptive parents‘ affairs have been settled, would you be willing to come to Italy and live with us?”

Hearing the hopeful tone in my mother’s voice, I glanced at the tombstone engraved with the kind smiles of my adoptive parents, my eyes red, unable to make a decision.

“I’ll think about it.”

For now, I still wasn’t ready to adapt to the identity of a billionaire’s daughter after living as an ordinary girl for so long.

“No problem. We’ll wait for your answer.”

After parting ways with my mother, I returned to my apartment at Seasides. I opened the door to find the yellow roses in the vase on the entryway cabinet withered and a thick layer of dust coating the table. Even the clothes on the sofa remained exactly as they were before I left.

I had been away for seven days attending a funeral, and Vincent García had been unreachable for seven days. I took a deep breath and scrolled through our contact log on my phone. Thirteen calls, twenty–one WhatsApp voice calls, all with the same response: “No answer.”

Out of habit, I opened Instagram and saw Vincent’s junior colleague, Alina Clark, had just posted an update:

“Watching the sea with the person I love, and he’s gentler than the ocean today.”

The picture showed her and Vincent camping by the sea, watching the sunset. Staring the image, my swollen eyes felt like something shattered within them. I recalled my mother asking if I wanted to settle in Italy, and I had actually considered it for Vincent’s sake. But now, it just seemed laughable. Baylee Anderson, your love life is truly a failure!

‘Da!”

The door lock clicked. Vincent returned in casual attire. Seeing me sitting dazed on the sofa, he quickly asked,

“Kaylee, why are your eyes so red?”

I looked at him, his clear gaze reflecting my sorrowful expression.

“I just got something in my eye,” I replied hoarsely, then asked, “Where have you been these past few days?”

His expression faltered slightly at my question.

“A new project came up at the lab, and I’ve been so busy I couldn’t come home. I finally wrapped it up today.”

He watched my face, his tone concerned. “I didn’t have my phone with me in the lab, so it was only on my way back that I saw all the calls from you. Was something urgent?”

My tightly clenched fingers pressed hard into my palm as I held back my emotions.

“Nothing urgent–I accidentally dialed a few times, that’s all.”

I walked over to the entryway, pulling out the wilted yellow roses and tossing them in the bin. I had given Vincent the chance to tell the truth, but he chose to lie instead. So, without revealing his poor excuse, I quietly went to my room to rest.

Vincent seemed unsettled, quickly following me. “You look pale. Is it your period of this month?”

I paused. He used to know my period date was at the end of the month, and always preparing hot ilk and heating pads to soothe my cramps. But now, it was only the middle of the month. Watching his concerned face, I felt a coldness spreading through me.

“No, I just didn’t sleep well yesterday.”

Unconcerned, Vincent took his pajamas and went to shower. “Then get some rest early tonight.”

The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom as a dampness crept into my heart. A notification sounded from my bedside table. I glanced over to see a message from “Sailor Moon” with the flashing profile picture of a crescent moon.

“Vincent, the ocean romance has been received. Don’t forget you promised to take me hiking to watch the sunrise next week!”

One glance at that message sent a dull ache through my heart.

He saved Alina’s contact as “Sailor Moon.” They watched the sunset by the ocean, and now they’re planning to watch the sunrise in the mountains–how romantic!

Clenching my fists, I forced myself to remain calm. With a quick glance at the closed bathroom door, I walked into the living room and dialed my mother’s number.

“Mom, I’ll come to Italy with you after I get my diploma at the end of the month.”

“Wonderful! I’ll start preparing your visa right away.” My mother sounded delighted but paused before cautiously asking. “But if you go to Italy, you and Vincent will have a long–distance relationship. Will he be okay with that?”

Thinking of Vincent, a surge of pain briefly flashed through my heart before settling into quiet resolve.

“I’m planning to break up with him. I won’t ever see him again.”

My mother seemed to sense the slight catch in my voice and gently comforted me.

“You’ve been with him for four years, yet when your adoptive parents both passed away in that car accident, he didn’t even go to accompany and care for you. You’re better off without a man like that. There are plenty of eligible bachelors in Italy. When the time Dies mes, your father and I can help you find someone–you’ll have your pick.”

“Alright, I’ll pack up over the next couple of weeks. I’ll meet you at the airport.”

Just as I ended the call, the bathroom door opened, and Vincent emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist.

“Who are you meeting at the airport?” he asked.

I paused, looking down slightly. “My mother.”

As he put on his pajamas, Vincent said, “If your mom’s coming to Seattle, I’ll set up a dinner to welcome her.”

He assumed I meant my adoptive mother, and for a moment, I didn’t feel the need to clarify everything. I glanced at the date on my phone: June 15. Only fifteen days left until I left for Italy.

“Talk about it later,” I replied vaguely.

Vincent murmured a half–hearted “hmm” and returned his gaze to his phone, his face relaxed, occasionally breaking into a soft smile. I looked away, lying down with my eyes closed.

After some time, I heard him set down his phone and felt him slide closer, wrapping his arm around me. My body stiffened, and I instinctively pulled his hand away.

“Babe, are you mad because I didn’t answer your calls? I’ll make sure to keep my phone with me from now on so I won’t go off the grid again.” Vincent seemed to sense something was off, trying to coax me gently.

“No, I’m not mad. I’m just really tired.”

I kept my tone flat, unwilling to say more. But inside, I silently told him: Vincent, there is no “next time” for us. The night was quiet, and his gentle breathing filled the room, but I couldn’t sleep. Thoughts of the “Sailor Moon” in his phone haunted me, and I made up my mind. I got up, picked up his phone, unlocked it, and opened WhatsApp.

Originally, I was the only pinned contact, but now it was both me and “Sailor Moon,” with her chat sitting at the top. Their latest messages were goodnight texts right before he slept.

My hands trembled as I scrolled through Vincent and Alina’s chat history, realizing they’d been messaging daily for an entire year. He’d spent Valentine’s Day with me, yet he’d still sent her pictures of the food we shared. He’d watched movies with me, only to text her later about whether it was worth seeing, even taking her for a second viewing the next day.

Even after our late nights together, he would share folk music with her as if he were a pure–hearted young man. Each page of their chat clashed with my memories of our relationship, tearing me apart inside. I didn’t understand it. The man who looked at me with such genuine love–how could he share those intimate details with someone else while claiming to love me?

I stayed up all night.. The next morning, as I finished preparing breakfast, I checked the reminder on my phone. Today marked four years with Vincent. Six months ago, we had planned a trip to Disneyland to celebrate. With fourteen days left until I left, I decided to end things there, bringing closure to our four years together.

At the dining table, Vincent was scrolling on his phone as he ate. I couldn’t hold back. What was so important that couldn’t wait until after breakfast? You have a flight to catch, remember He absentmindedly replied, “Flight? Are you going somewhere today?”

For a moment, I froze, realizing he’d forgotten our Disneyland plans and the significance of today. I had intended to part on good terms, but now I just felt foolish. Forcing a smile, I said, “It’s nothing. I’m just seeing off a friend.”

Vincent didn’t ask further. At that moment, his phone screen lit up. I glanced over instinctively and saw a message from “Sailor Moon“:

“I’m so hungry! Where’s my breakfast?”

Vincent quickly grabbed his phone, taking two egg crepes from the table and glancing at met with a guilty look.

“My advisor needs me for something. I’m heading to the lab.”

Watching him leave in a hurry, I let out a silent laugh. He could barely even lie convincingly. He really couldn’t wait. I picked up my phone and canceled the Disneyland tickets I had booked months ago. On Instagram, I opened Alina’s new post:

“I said I was hungry, and my boyfriend showed up downstairs with a homemade breakfast right away!”

I felt a chill wash over me. Homemade by him? How absurd! I couldn’t eat anymore. I got up and threw the remaining breakfast into the trash, along with the last traces of affection I had for Vincent.

I never doubted love, but love can change in an instant. Especially after four years. This relationship had already soured–1 should have realized it sooner. But love makes you blind. I pulled out a large cardboard box and opened the storage cabinet that filled an entire wall.

Inside, there were remnants of our love–Kuromi plaster figurines we painted on rainy days, handmade pottery projects, bracelets, and phone cases. The wall was covered in photos, a visible timeline of our four years together. From our early days of warm embraces to later photos where we only posed with half–hearted peace signs.

I didn’t even know when Vincent’s heart had started to change. I took a deep breath, wiping the redness from the corners of my eyes, then tossed everything from the cabinet, piece by piece, into the box. I tore down every photo from the wall as well. The yellowed adhesive left stark marks on the white wall, mirroring my scarred, fractured heart.

As I packed, memories surfaced, and daylight slowly faded. Once the box was filled, I took it downstairs to the dumpster, then lay on the sofa, exhausted. After some time, the door opened. Vincent walked in, turning on the lights in the living room.

“Kaylee, why are you sleeping here? You’ll catch a cold.”

I stared at him for three seconds before looking away. “I was cleaning the house and fell asleep accidentally”

Vincent glanced around the room, noticing the changes, “Did you throw away a lot of stuff? It feeds emptier.”

I nodded lightly, “Graduation’s here, it’s time to throw out the old and bring in the new.”

Graduation season is not only a time for decluttering, but also for breakups. Anything tied to the past had to go, along with the traces of a love that no longer held meaning.

“Alright, we can go shopping together later and redecorate our little nest.”

Vincent nodded, not giving it much thought. Watching his casual demeanor, I felt a slight ache in my chest. If he’d looked a bit more closely, he’d have noticed that everything missing was part of our couple’s collection or love mementos–things I’d never discard without a reason.

But he was too busy texting to notice anything. After all, Alina filled his thoughts now. A notification pinged on his phone. Vincent glanced down, and his expression shifted.

“Kaylee, today’s our anniversary! Why didn’t you remind me? Did you forget too?”

Only then did I realize that his phone’s calendar had reminded him of today’s date. Hearing his reproach, I felt a dull weight settle inside me.

“You seemed too busy, so I didn’t mention it.”

I had reminded him this morning, but someone preoccupied wouldn’t have registered it. Sensing my indifference, Vincent looked a bit uneasy.

“Babe, that was my fault. Let’s make it up another day, like we used to, with all the ceremony and excitement.”

He gently held my hand, trying to appease me with a soft tone. Just then, his phone rang again. It was a voice call from “Sailor Moon.” He instinctively declined the call, but Alina dialed right back. Seeing his guilty expression, I gave him an excuse to leave.

“Go ahead and take it; it could be urgent from the lab.”

After all, the lab had always been his go–to excuse whenever he had to step out unexpectedly. This time, I said it myself to save him the trouble of lying again. Vincent hesitated, then quickly went to the balcony to answer the call.

When he returned, he gave me a light hug and said softly, “You really understand me. It was an urgent lab issue. I need to go handle it and wrap up this project.

“When things settle down, I’ll take you out for a proper anniversary celebration. We’ll stay in the Disney castle, and I’ll make you feel like a princess.”

I turned slightly away from his embrace, lowered my gaze, and nodded.

“Okay.”

It was a simple response, devoid of any expectation. I had long since stopped believing in his promises. But when I saw a red notification on Instagram, I instinctively opened it. Alina had posted a new update- The picture showed Vincent sipping coffee in the lab’s break room.

“Sharing the same cup of coffee with my boyfriend, more intimate than a kiss.”

I curled my lips into a faint smile and put down my phone. When despair reaches the heart, pain fades away. For the next few days, Vincent left early and returned late. I no longer had the energy to focus on him, busy with wrapping up graduation matters.

All I hoped for was that everything would go smoothly so I could take my diploma and leave this city, starting a fresh life somewhere new.

June 20th, Tuesday.

With ten days left before Italy, I submitted my residence transfer application at school. As I exited the campus, I ran into John, a classmate from Vincent’s lab.

John looked at me in surprise. “Kaylee, you’re still here? Vincent’s experiment was a success, and they’re celebrating at the amusement park today!”

I paused in shock–Vincent hadn’t told me about this. Before I could make up an excuse, John had already pulled me into his car. “Come on, we need to get there! You and Vincent are the stars of the day!”

At the amusement park, I was greeted by the sight of a huge infinity pool. Men and women in swimsuits splashed and played in the water. In one corner, Vincent was holding Alina, who was in a bikini, close to him.

“Vincent!” John called out.

Vincent and Alina immediately released each other when they saw me.

“Kaylee, don’t misunderstand. I just got a cramp in my leg, so I grabbed onto Vincent,” Alina explained, a slight blush on her face, as if embarrassed.

Vincent helped her over to the steps by the lounge area, then hurriedly approached her.

“Kaylee, it’s a pool party, I figured you wouldn’t enjoy it since you can’t swim, so I didn’t invite you. You’re not angry, right?”

I said nothing, my gaze drifting to Alina, who shot me a taunting smile. Those blatant Instagram posts had already declared who Vincent’s first choice was. She find no interest in humoring his feigned sincerity.

“Do as you like. After all, this is your choice,”

From now on, I would also make my own choices. Vincent seemed flustered, quickly taking my hand.

“I promised you that once the experiment was finished, I’d take you to Disneyland. I already bought the couple’s tickets, so let’s go this weekend, okay?”

I didn’t want to dig deeper, nor did I want to test the truth of this promise. With only ten days left until I was due to leave for Italy, whether or not we went to Disneyland no longer mattered to me.

“Let’s talk about it later.”

I told Vincent to go enjoy himself with his friends, then sat alone in a corner of the lounge area. Just when I thought I could have a moment of peace, Alina approached, wrapped in a robe.

“Kaylee, I specifically had Vincent leave you out, but like a persistent shadow, you still showed up. How tiresome ”

She sat down beside me, her robe gaping to reveal her pale skin.

“I’ve been kindly reminding you on Instagram every day that he no longer loves you. Why can’t you just let go?”

I remained calm. When Alina had added me as a friend a month ago, I’d known her posts were veiled provocations aimed at me. At first, I felt jealous and hurt, but after my heart turned cold toward Vincent, I had let go of those feelings.

“Tell me, what do you think Vincent would say if he knew you posted those things on Instagram just for me to see?” I asked.

Alina’s expression froze for a moment before she sneered at me.

“Vincent and I both come from families that own publicly traded companies. We’re the most suitable match for marriage. And you? You’re just an unwanted stray, taken in and raised by your adoptive parents. What makes you think you’re worthy of him?”

My face paled instantly. The only person I’d shared my past with was Vincent, and I never imagined he’d share even this with Alina. But they were wrong–I wasn’t an unwanted stray. My biological parents had spent twenty years searching the world for me, never once giving up.

I looked at Alina, my tone indifferent. “You’re right; I wish you both a happy ending.”

But, it’s Vincent who doesn’t deserve me.

Cheers from the poolside interrupted our conversation Alina removed her robe, revealing her curvaceous figure.

“In that case, I’ll go spend some happy time with Vincent,” she said, her tone suggestive, And walked barefoot towards the pool.

As soon as Alina entered the water, she threw herself straight into Vincent’s arms. I instinctively stood up and walked directly towards the amusement park exit. I could force myself to remain calm, but I couldn’t bear to watch my boyfriend openly flirting with another woman.

I hadn’t gone far when I heard Vincent calling out anxiously behind me.

“Kaylee, where are you going?”

I didn’t stop. “I’m not feeling well, so I’m heading home.”

Vintent immediately responded, “Then I’ll go home with you; just wait while I change.” He turned to head toward the changing room.

Alina chased after him. “You can’t leave, Vincent! Everyone’s here for you. What will we do if you leave?”

Vincent hesitated, frowning slightly, caught in indecision.

Seeing this, I forced a smile. “I’ll take a cab home. Don’t disappoint her.”

Without waiting for his reaction, I left in a taxi. As the scenery outside sped by, my eyes welled up, and my lashes grew damp.. In this game of love, I had to learn to cut my losses. Back home, I did one thing: continue packing.

The things I’d thrown out last time were only a fraction of what remained. Too many fraces of me lingered in this apartment. I would remove every last bit, leaving nothing behind–not even a single hair. I had given Vincent chances, whether to come clean about my background or to have a respectful breakup.

Since he didn’t cherish them, I saw no reason to hold onto the past. True departures are never grandiose. I stayed busy into the night, and Vincent still hadn’t come home. When I checked my phone, I saw a new message from Alina: a photo.

In the image, champagne sprayed high into the air, and Alina, in her bikini, clung to Vincent like an octopus, smiling radiantly. Their intimate pose sent chills down my spine. I thought I was beyond pain, but Vincent always found ways to hurt me.

I put down my phone, went to the bathroom, and splashed cold water on my face to calm myself. As I looked up at the mirror, my gaze fell to a message written in lipstick at the bottom corner:

“Vincent will always love Kaylee, his baby.”

In that moment, the emotions I’d held back finally erupted, and I broke down in tears, not for Vincent, but for myself–for the four years of my youth I had invested. That man used to declare his love for me openly, both at school and at home.

He wanted the world to know that I, Kaylee, was his only “baby.” Yet now, the lipstick–written love note was still fresh and red, but his heart had long soured.

Once hold and fervent, his love was now a series of stabbing pains in my chest. I tried to calm down, but my heartache was too overwhelming. Who could save me from at one in the morning, the door lock clicked, and Vincent stumbled in, reeking of alcohol. Seeing the lipstick stain on his collar, I remained seated on the sofa.

“You’re still up? Were you waiting for me?”

Vincent slouched beside me, wrapping his arm around me.

“I knew you’d have trouble sleeping if I wasn’t here, so I hurried back to keep you company

His voice, slurred with drunkenness, was filled with affection, his gaze soft. But if he’d looked more closely, he would’ve noticed my red, tear–stained eyes.

Sadly, Vincent didn’t notice. He continued to profess his love, declaring his devotions.

“My baby is the best in the world. Someday, I’ll have you in a white wedding dress and marry you…”

Staring at the stark red lipstick stain on his collar, I forced myself to ask, “Your baby who is it?”

Vincent squeezed my check gently. “Of course, it’s you, Kaylee.”

His affection seemed genuine, and so did his love. But how could he be so oblivious to the change in me? Vincent, oh Vincent–drunken words are supposed to be truthful. But how much of this is real, and how much is just a lie? I swallowed my bitterness, slowly pulling my hand from his embrace.

“Kaylee, don’t go.”

He gripped my hand tightly, panic in his voice, as if afraid that letting go would mean me forever.

“Stay by my side; don’t leave…”

Looking at the lipstick stain on his collar, I trembled as I withdrew my hand. “You’re dirty. Go wash up.

With that, I went back to the bedroom. After a while, Vincent returned, changed into pajamas. He lay down gently beside me and offered an explanation: “I noticed a lipstick mark on my collar while showering… Probably got it by accident. Don’t misunderstand, Kaylee.

Facing away from him, I held back the tears that threatened to spill, keeping my voice steady.

“Alright. Let’s just sleep”

In the days that followed, Vincent came home early every night from the lab, even making me breakfast himself.

“Kaylee, once we’re married, I’ll do the cooking, and all you’ll have to do is enjoy the food!”

Listening to him fantasize about our future, I stayed calm, not saying a word. For us, there was no future left. The countdown on my phone read six days. Only six days until I would leave. By then, Vincent wouldn’t need to shower me with love and could share his life with another woman.

Sunday, 7 a.m.

Vincent got up early, packing for our trip.

“Kaylee, I promised to take you to Disneyland this weekend. Let’s head out early and drive there ourselves.”

I paused, surprised he still remembered. Since he did, I decided to give him one last chance. I’d end things with him at Disneyland. Without much thought, I nodded. We went downstairs, but as soon as we reached the parking lot, we encountered an unexpected guest–Alina.

“There you are, Vincent,” she greeted with a wave, her high ponytail giving off a youthful energy, a stark contrast from the sultry look she’d worn at the pool.

A chill settled over me. I looked at Vincent. “I thought it was just the two of us?”

Vincent’s expression faltered, and he stammered, “Alina is coming too. She couldn’t get a train ticket, so I offered her a ride.”

I laughed bitterly to myself. Perhaps this trip wasn’t about taking me to Disneyland but rather about bringing Alina along. It was just the tagalong. Before I could say anything, Alina opened the passenger door and looked back at me.

“I get carsick and can only sit in the front. Vincent always says you’re considerate, so you won’t mind, right?”

I forced a smile. What was there to mind? I didn’t even want this man anymore, let alone the front seat.

“Go ahead.”

Vincent noticed the edge in my tone but still let Alina get in the car. As we drove toward Shanghai, I closed my eyes, pretending to nap, and overheard Vincent asking Alina in a low voice,

“When you asked on WhatsApp about going to Disneyland, you said you’d tell me why once we were in the car. Can you tell me now?”

Alina replied playfully, “I’m meeting up with a cute guy I met online.”

Hearing this, I opened my eyes just in time to see Vincent’s face darken.

Vincent questioned her, “Meeting someone from the internet? What if he turns out to be a scammer? Aren’t you worried about the danger?”

His concerned tone made Alina smile radiantly.

“That’s why you’re here, right?” she replied. “I’ve thought it all through–since you and Kaylee are also going to Disneyland, we can all hang out together as a group.”

She turned to look at me in the backseat with a sweet smile.

“Kaylee, my chats with Vincent are always casual. Don’t take what I said at the pool to heart.”

Her smile carried hidden meaning, and Vincent, looking concerned, asked, “What did say to Kaylee?”

Alina playfully stuck out her tongue. “It’s a secret between us girls.”

The car fell into silence, and Vincent didn’t press further, focusing on driving. At Disneyland’s entrance, the three of us lined up to enter. Soon after, Alina went off on her own to meet her online date.

Vincent and I queued for the Tron Lightcycle ride, though he seemed distracted, constantly glancing back in Alina’s direction. After fifteen minutes, he couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Kaylee, wait here in line. I’ll go check on her and see if she’s met her date yet.”

Then, as if to justify himself, he added, “She’s a girl–I’m just worried about her safety.”

I had expected this reaction. Gripping my phone, I tried to keep calm.

“Alright, go ahead.”

On the way here, I’d already anticipated this. It was just a pity that my farewell plans wouldn’t end the way I’d envisioned. After Vincent left. I stayed in line by myself. By the time I reached the front, he still hadn’t.

Seeing my two–person ticket, a staff member couldn’t help but ask, “This is a couple’s seat. Where’s your boyfriend?”

I laughed bitterly to myself. My boyfriend was busy with another girl. No, Vincent was no longer my boyfriend.

From the moment I saw those messages, and from the repeated times he left me behind as an afterthought, he had declared his departure from our relationship. I smiled faintly at the staff member, showing no emotion.

“I’m here alone.”

I took my seat on the Lightcycle. Couples surrounded me, with an empty seat beside me. As the ride began, a girl in front of me gripped her boyfriend’s hand tightly. “I’m scared,”

she said.

The boy reassured her gently, “Don’t worry, hold onto the handlebars–I’m right here with you.”

Once, Vincent was like that too, always gentle and patient.

He used to say, “Don’t worry, I’ll be here to hold up the sky if it falls.”

But now, all that warmth and protectiveness was given to someone else. The ride sped up, and the intense ups and downs felt like I was being carried away by the wind. As screams surrounded me, I closed my eyes, gripping the handlebars tightly.

When it finally ended, my legs were weak, my mind blank, and my heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest. Around me, boyfriends helped their girlfriends to their feet, but I could only lean against the wall to catch my breath.

Just as I’d regained my composure, Vincent returned, a little too late.

“Kaylee, I’m back! Let’s get in line for a ride together!”

Pale, I shook my head. “No need–1 just finished the ride.”

Vincent looked taken aback. “Didn’t I ask you to wait for me?”

Ignoring the irritation in his voice, I lowered my gaze to hide my sadness. “Rules of the ride–there’s no waiting for anyone.”

Just like our love, it was long past time.

Vincent sighed, relenting. “Fine, let’s go somewhere else.”

During the parade, we were squeezed to the front of the crowd at Toy Story Castle on Mickey Avenue.

“Vincent! What a coincidence–you’re here too!” Alina’s voice rang out as she squeezed through the crowd to join him.

Vincent noticed her alone and asked, “Still by yourself? What about the guy you were meeting?”

Alina sighed. “He stood me up. Guys online are just unreliable–not like you, Vincent.”

Relief flickered across Vincent’s face. “Next time, don’t meet people from the internet. Just hang with us today–it’ll be safer that way.”

“Alright!” Alina agreed, flashing him a playful smile. “I knew you cared about me the most.”

I stood silently to the side, saying nothing. At that moment, the music swelled, and the red–and–black gates behind us opened.

They held the kiss as long as the cheers lasted. The sight felt like a knife, slicing through my heart over and over, each cut deeper and bloodier than the last.

Standing there, I felt like the world’s biggest fool. I turned and stumbled out of the crowd, away from the parade. After four years together, Vincent and I had planned to celebrate every anniversary at Disneyland.

Now that we were finally here, it was nothing but disgrace and heartbreak. The intense pain felt like it was ripping through my chest, and I could barely walk steadily. I pressed my hand over my heart, trying to calm the suffocating ache.

Don’t cry. Not here, not at Disneyland. Today, I was going to be my own princess. I wandered around the park, taking in the sights as if bidding farewell to my youth.

Four years–just 1,460 days. After walking 14,600 steps through the castle, I forced myself to let go of that dead love. Then, I left the park and found a café to sit and rest. By 8:30 p.m., Vincent still hadn’t called.

But Alina had posted a new update:

“Disney’s fireworks are so romantic, and my boyfriend’s kiss is so gentle.”

The post included two photos: one of her kissing Vincent on the float and another of them forming a heart under the fireworks. Was this an official announcement?

I laughed softly, my voice hoarse, though tears pricked at my eyes. It didn’t matter. In a few days, I would leave this man I had loved with all my heart. At that moment, my phone rang. It was a message from my mother.

“Kaylee, I’ve arranged everything. We bought you a house where you’ll see the harbor every morning and breathe the freshest air in Italy. Your dad even bought a Feadship yacht as a gift for you.”

“From now on, we’ll give you all the love we missed out on for the past twenty years.”

Reading her words, I felt my nose sting. “Thank you, Mom and Dad.”

I wasn’t unloved. I wasn’t unwanted.

Eveil my life with my adoptive parents had been lukewarm, I now had parents who truly cherished me. Mom sent me photos of the villa and yacht, along with an airport address.

“We’ll be waiting for you at the airport the day after tomorrow to fly home on a private jet.”

Outside, fireworks lit up the sky, illuminating my tear–streaked face. Kripped my phone tightly and replied, “Alright, see you then.”

In the parking lot, rows of streetlights cast my shadow, thin and lonely. By the time Vincent arrived, I’d been waiting by the car for a while.

“Kaylee, I’m sorry for making you wait…”

He approached quickly, reaching out to pull me into his arms. But I stepped back, evading his touch.

“I won’t wait for you anymore,” I said, my voice hoarse.