"Why did you buy a burial plot and an urn?" he asked.
Clara's pupils shrank in shock. She had no idea how those things had ended up in Ian's hands.
She blinked rapidly, her mind racing for an explanation before she stammered out a response, "I... I’ve been planning to relocate my grandmother’s grave. You know there’s no one else in the family but me."
It was a reasonable explanation.
Ian hesitated, his unease was still lingering, but eventually he nodded and said, "Then I’ll take the day off tomorrow and go with you."
"There's no need. You should focus on work and spend time with Rea. I’ve grown up now. I can’t keep clinging to you and being a burden. I’ll handle these things on my own in the future."
She meant every word she had just said.
However, there was a flicker of surprise in Ian's eyes. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but Clara had already turned and walked away.
Watching her retreating figure, he murmured under his breath, "You were never a burden to me."
The next day, Clara visited Mrs. Cumberland grave alone. She carefully wiped the dust from the tombstone, placed a bouquet of fresh flowers that she had bought at its base.
Gazing at the gentle face in the photo, her heart twisted painfully. She went closer and sat next to the tombstone.
"Mrs. Cumberland, this will probably be my last visit. I wonder if you’d blame me for being so reckless, trading my soul for these seven extra days."
"I finally understand now that my feelings were nothing but a burden to Ian. He’ll have his own family one day. It was foolish of me to think I could stay by his side forever."
"This life has been full of suffering for me. That’s why I don’t regret my decision, Mrs. Cumberland. This world is too painful for me so I won’t come back in the next life."
Clara sat there for a long time as if she wanted to pour out everything in her heart in front of Mrs. Cumberland.
After she left the cemetery, Clara cashed out all the properties under her name and transferred all the money into one card. She would give this money to Ian as compensation for her harassment of him over the past few years.
As for this jade bracelet ...
Clara raised her hand in a daze. Under the light, the bracelet looked translucent and delicate. It seemed very valuable.
"This is my heirloom jade bracelet for my future daughter-in-law. Clara, I’m leaving Ian in your care in the future."
Mrs. Cumberland's final words echoed in her mind.
Clara took a deep breath and let out a bitter laugh. It was better to leave the bracelet with Ian, along with the money.
By the time she returned to the villa, it was already late at night. The entire villa was eerily quiet. It seemed no one was home.
This was good. It was easier for her to move out of the house.
She walked into the study with the bank card and the jade bracelet in hand.
This was Ian’s private space. He was always meticulous, but tonight, the study was in disarray. It was a sign that the owner was restless and bored. It seemed her presence in this house truly frustrated him.
Clara blew resigned breath and went to his desk then pulled the lower drawer opened. She placed the card and bracelet deep inside. Just as she was withdrawing her hand, her fingers accidentally brushed against a small, ornate box.
The lid popped open and revealed a glint of cold metal.
Clara froze, her breath caught as she hesitantly reached inside. It was a pop tab ring, the handmade grass rings that she had given Ian over the years,
Hadn’t he said he threw them all away? Why are they still here?
Her gaze shifted to the final object in the box. It is a diamond ring. Did Ian buy it?
