I lay there, lips pale, heart strangely calm. So this was what it meant. I really would disappear completely from his world.
The doctors later said my injuries weren’t life-threatening. Still, the maid didn’t know who else to call. In the end, she reached out to Wilmer’s mother.
When his mother heard, she rushed over in a panic. She stayed by my side the whole night, caring for me in a way her son never would.
I woke up to the sound of raised voices outside my room. The corridor was quiet, so every word carried straight into me.
“You bastard!” it was his mother’s voice, sharp with anger. “I don’t care where you are. If you still want any chance of making things right with Lucy, come here and take care of her immediately. If you let this slip, she’ll never forgive you!”
For a second, I almost held my breath, waiting. Hoping.
Then his voice came through, low and cruel. “What does it matter if she forgives me? The engagement is over. Her things are gone. Even if she dies, I won’t bother showing up to her funeral.”
The phone clicked. Silence followed.
The door opened and his mother stepped in, her face flushed, her hands shaking a little. She looked embarrassed when her eyes found mine. “Lucy… Wilmer… you know how he is when he’s angry. He says things he doesn’t mean. Don’t let it get to you.”
I shook my head. No words left. She didn’t need to cover for him. He was right. We had no ties anymore. He’d already cut me off. I needed to do the same.
She sighed softly, like she knew there was no turning things back. Then she came closer, sat by my bed, and pulled out a folded list.
“Lucy,” she said gently, putting the paper in my hands. “These are dowries I’ve prepared for you. You’re going far, starting over on your own. You’ll need property, money, security. These things will give you confidence.”
My chest tightened. I shook my head quickly. “Mrs. Preston… I can’t accept this.”
Her hand covered mine, “If your mother hadn’t brought me out of that little village years ago, I wouldn’t be here today. I owe her… and I owe you. Besides, it was Wilmer who wronged you. As his mother, I need to make this right.”
Her eyes softened, “Once you’re in Europe, I’ll send someone to help you with the transfer.”
The door suddenly pushed open.
A familiar voice cut through the air. “Who’s going to the Europe?”
I froze, and lowered my lashes and kept my mouth shut. I didn’t look at him. I just pretended he wasn’t even standing there.
His mom glanced between us. She sighed. “It’s Lucy, she…”
He cut her off, his gaze sliding straight to me. “You’re going to Europe? Right. You mentioned before that you wanted to see your aunt. But your injuries are bad this time. It’s not good for you to travel yet. How about later? I’ll stay with you for a while, arrange things here, then go with you.”
A laugh almost slipped out of me, bitter and small. Yes, I had told him once that I wanted to go. He’d promised to come with me too. But he never showed.
Why? Because Madonna told him she envied me. She said I always had someone beside me while she, poor little Madonna, had never left her small village. She said she’d never seen the world. And because of that, Wilmer canceled his ticket behind my back and took her abroad instead. They travelled together and I was left all alone
I still remember that day... I waited until the last flight was gone, calling him over and over, thinking maybe something happened. My chest ached with worry. Then dawn came, and so did the photos. Him and Madonna at another airport. Smiling. Together.
Now, after all that, he stood here acting like he still wanted to go with me. I had nothing left to hope for.
I opened my mouth, ready to tell him the truth. That I wasn’t going to see family. That I was going to marry. That I wasn’t just leaving for a while. I was leaving New York for good. I’d never come back unless I had no choice.
But before the words could leave me, he sneered. “You don’t need me to go? Then who do you want? That pretty boy who gave you a gift the other day? Don’t tell me you’re going alone. You’re so clueless you can’t even read a boarding pass right. You’ll end up crying and begging me to pick you up.”
I let out a breath, heavy and tired. I wanted to tell him he was wrong. I didn’t need him. I didn’t want him. I didn’t want him anywhere near my wedding.
But I never got the chance. His phone lit up and he glanced at it, his face softening in an instant. He turned away. “Alright, looks like you’ve got plenty of strength. That eases my mind. Maddie hates being alone, so I’ll go keep her company. As for Europe, I’ll go with you once you’re healed.”
He even smiled at his mother. “Thanks for taking care of your daughter-in-law, Mom.”
She shot him a cold look. “Get out.”
