Chapter 7

Lucas accepted the gift from her, his expression unreadable.

“You can save your congratulations for the engagement party.”

Engagement party?

But she wouldn’t live to see that day.

Celia lowered her head, silent and unresponsive. She neither explained nor argued, merely handed over the gift before walking away. Finding a quiet corner, she sat down alone.

Lucas didn’t pay much attention as she left. He remained by Yvonne’s side, leading her through the crowd with a gentle smile. He patiently introduced her to every guest offering their congratulations, his demeanor full of warmth and affection.

Before long, after greeting everyone, Lucas and Yvonne disappeared from the crowd altogether.

Celia lingered for a while longer before standing and quietly slipping out of the banquet hall.

She had always disliked these crowded, noisy gatherings. In the past, Lucas would notice her discomfort and quietly lead her away halfway through. Now, that habit hadn’t changed but the person he chose to leave with had.

The area outside the hall was spacious, and Celia recalled there being a garden pavilion nearby. She decided to take a walk there, seeking a moment of solitude.

However, as she approached, she realized the pavilion wasn’t empty.

Drawing closer, she saw Lucas and Yvonne there, speaking softly.

“Lucas,” Yvonne’s voice carried a playful, almost childlike tone. “When we get married, I want my own garden pavilion. Can I have one?”

Her words were met with Lucas’s indulgent chuckle. “Why wait until after we’re married? I’ll have it ready for you now.”

“Really?” Yvonne’s eyes sparkled with delight, her cheeks flushing pink as she leaned in to kiss his cheek.

But Lucas turned his head at the last moment, and her kiss landed unexpectedly on his lips.

The accidental gesture deepened the flush on Yvonne’s face, and she pulled back in a flustered attempt to recover. Before she could retreat, Lucas wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close to deepen the kiss.

From a distance, Celia stood frozen, watching the scene unfold.

Perhaps it was because she was already dead, or perhaps it was because she had steeled herself to wish them happiness.

But no matter how prepared she thought she was, the sight still struck something deep within her.

As Celia watched the scene unfold, the pain she had anticipated didn’t come.

Instead, an unfamiliar sense of calm settled over her.

She didn’t disturb them. Turning away, she left quietly.

She wandered aimlessly through the property, eventually finding herself near the swimming pool.

Celia stood still, gazing blankly at the crystal-clear water, lost in thought.

She didn’t know how much time had passed before a familiar voice broke through her reverie.

“Watching all this must really hurt, doesn’t it?”

She turned to find Yvonne standing behind her.

Celia frowned slightly, confused by her words.

“Lucas told me everything,” Yvonne continued, her tone laced with feigned understanding. “He told me about your... feelings for him. Honestly, I get it. You’re just a young girl, and Lucas is so incredible. It’s normal to have a little crush.”

Her words seemed understanding, but the malice in her eyes betrayed her true feelings. “But it’s also not normal, is it? After all, what kind of child falls for their own uncle?”

Celia hadn’t expected Lucas to share her feelings so openly with Yvonne.

A wave of shame and bitterness washed over her. She didn’t need him to reciprocate her feelings. She had even resolved to bless their future together.

But why did he have to trample on her dignity like this?

She remained silent, refusing to respond, but Yvonne wasn’t done.

Her voice took on a hint of smugness as she added, “Lucas doesn’t like you. Honestly, I don’t have the patience to keep up this whole family charade with you either. Soon, I’ll be marrying into the Shaw family, and I don’t want a clingy child lingering between us.

“If you’re willing to leave, I can give you some money. You’re an adult now. It’s time you learned to be independent.”

Celia’s face turned pale at her words. After a long pause, she finally replied in a hoarse voice, “Don’t worry. I’ll be gone in three days.”

Her concession didn’t soften Yvonne’s attitude.

Instead, it only emboldened her to push further.

“Why wait three days? Why not leave now?”

For a moment, Celia was at a loss for words. How could she explain that three days wasn’t the timeline for leaving the Shaw family—it was the time she had left in this world?