Chapter 2

I returned to the home Silas and I shared.

Everywhere I looked, there were traces of our life together; picture frames on the walls, a custom-made rug, and flowers in vases we had assembled together. Once, I thought this house symbolized my happiness.

Now, I realized how foolish I had been.

Although the picture frames held countless photos of Silas and me, Silas wore a cold, indifferent expression in every single one, while I played the fool, smiling like a clown.

He always said he was not the type to smile, but I had seen the way he looked at Nora.

It was the kind of look that naturally brought a soft smile to his lips. It was a smile of pure joy and genuine happiness, so different from the impatience he showed towards me.

The house was filled with things. They were mine, Silas's, and things we chose together.

However, when I looked closer, I realized almost everything had been chosen and bought by me.

As for Silas, aside from his personal belongings, there was nothing he had contributed.

How could I ever have believed this house represented the happiness we shared?

A deep sadness and mounting resentment welled up inside me, filling every corner of my heart.

I lost control and began smashing everything I could. Vases, picture frames, cups—things I once cherished with all my heart were dragged out and thrown into the yard.

As I stared at the growing pile of debris like a small mountain before me, a notebook suddenly fell to the ground.

I picked it up and opened it. A single line was written inside. "A hundred things I want to do with Silas."

Skiing, diving, watching sunsets…

One by one, I had carefully listed them, writing every detail with hopeful anticipation. However, tragically, not a single one of those dreams had come true.

I ignited the lighter in my hand.

The flames grew quickly, mercilessly consuming every piece of evidence of our time together.

Seven years of memories seemed to dissolve into nothingness, turning to ashes along with the fire.

A sharp pain spread through my stomach. I glanced at the mess I had left the house in, then picked up the phone without hesitation.

"Liam, could you send someone to clear out everything in Garrington Garden? And sell it as soon as possible."

After packing a few clothes, I grabbed my suitcase and purchased the first plane ticket I could find, leaving Capiton behind.

Before boarding the plane, I received texts from an unfamiliar number.

"Chaldene, what's gotten into you?”

"Don't think that just because we're getting married that I'll tolerate this nonsense.”

"When the time comes and you're kneeling on the ground, begging me to marry you, I won't even bother to look at you."

I did not reply. I simply blocked the number.

As I scrolled through social media, I came across a post from one of Silas's friends.

"After all these years, some people's love is still as strong as ever."

The photo was of Silas playing some sort of game. His face was covered in colorful paper notes, likely from Nora, yet he gazed at her with a helpless, indulgent smile.

I could not help but remember how Silas once lost his temper with me when I accidentally smeared cream on his face. He had shoved me to the ground in anger.

Now, here he was, sweetly humoring his beloved, while still finding the time to threaten me.

I left a comment. "Best wishes to you both." Then, I deleted and blocked every person connected to Silas without hesitation.

Following the list in the notebook, I completed all the things I once wanted to do with Silas—on my own.

In just one month, I achieved what we could not in seven years.

The final stop on my journey was the snow-capped mountains at sunrise. Alone, I braved the freezing cold and thirst, climbing step by step to a place I had never been.

I wanted to give up countless times, but somehow, I kept going.

When I reached the summit, the dazzling golden light of sunrise broke across the horizon.

I stood there, watching the brilliant dawn in the distance. The sounds of awe and joy from strangers around me filled the air, and it felt as though the sun melted away all of the ice and snow around me, but also the pain I carried within.

On my way down the mountain, I tossed the notebook into a trash bin.

When I finally returned to Capiton, my waiting parents and brother rushed forward, pulling me into a tight embrace.