Left in Darkness

Wendy staggered forward at the hospital entrance. She held the Seventy Thousand Dollars she had received for selling her kidney. Her pale face carried a satisfied smile. That was enough to cure Lucas. She thought it was worthy to sell off her kidney for his life. She ignored her post-surgery weakness, and stumbled all the way to the hospital ward. Her heart ached even more as she looked at the frail man lying in bed. "Lucas, your lowly girlfriend is not around. Why put on a show?" "Shut up! I'm perfecting my acting. How else could I fool her?" A familiar, teasing voice came from inside. Wendy's hand froze on the door handle. What did he mean... by fooling her? Laughter and exclamations erupted from the room. "You're smart, Lucas! A fake medical report was all it took to make that woman believe you had cancer!" "I heard she handed over all her savings; all she had was only Eight Thousand Dollars!" "Eight Thousand Dollars? Lucas could simply spend more than that on a single bottle of liquor at the bar. Her money is worthless, yet she actually offers it." Chapter 1 Wendy overheard the conversation. She felt numbed. Did Lucas fake his cancer? Lucas, supposedly frail, threw his blanket off and jumped out of bed. The person beside him handed him a cigarette as if it were the norm. Lucas, smoking a cigarette, looked nothing like the man Wendy remembered—the one who always had a gentle smile for her. "Anyway, she never had much money. I didn't expect her to hand over all her money. I was surprised." Laughter and teasing voices filled the room. "You're not feeling sorry for her, are you? If Nat finds out, she will throw a fit." "How can he? Lucas probably pities her. Back then, he hid his identity as the heir of the Shalton Corporation and dated that broke girl to help Nat get revenge. Natelie is his one true love. He even lived in the slums for two years for her." "That woman should be grateful to Nat. Without her, she would never have had the chance to meet someone from high society like Lucas. Hah!" Outside the room, Wendy trembled uncontrollably, her mind in complete chaos. Lucas exhaled a lazy puff of smoke. "I'm just as surprised. I didn't expect it to be this easy to make her spend every last cent. If I had known, I'd have faked being sick sooner. "This should make Nat happy now." Those cold words shattered the last bit of hope in Wendy's heart. Her face turned even paler. She was barely able to stand. A nurse noticed her and asked kindly, "Do you need help?" Wendy regained her wit and saw someone about to exit the ward. She quickly thanked the nurse and rushed into a nearby restroom with unsteady steps. The mirror reflected her ghostly pale face. Those heart-piercing words echoed in her mind over and over again. She never imagined that the man she thought was just like her—a poor student—was the heir of the Shalton Corporation. Their entire relationship had been a lie. Sweet memories of the past clashed with the cruel reality before her. Wendy met Lucas by chance two years ago. Back then, she worked part-time at a barbecue restaurant. One night, a drunk customer got handsy with her. She pleaded for help from the boss, but he ignored her. Wendy gritted her teeth as the man got bolder, ready to smash his head. Before she could, a warm hand pulled her behind, shielding her from the harassment. Wendy's heart skipped a beat as she looked at the man's silhouette. The situation was cliché, but for someone who had been an orphan since childhood, that small act of protection meant the world to her. Later, she learned that Lucas was also an orphan. He had to work three jobs to get by. He even dropped out after high school because he could not afford the tuition. With their similar backgrounds, they naturally grew closer and fell in love. Hoping to save money for a place of their own, Wendy gave up her dorm and moved in with Lucas. Their rental was a tiny room on the outskirts of town. Life was tough, but Wendy never complained. She believed their future would be bright as long as they worked hard. A month ago, Lucas told her he had cancer. He needed a massive sum for treatment. Wendy thought of Lucas as her only family in this world. She could never watch him die. She gave him everything she had saved over four years of working through college—a total of 8,000 dollars. However, Lucas told her it was insufficient; his treatment would cost 70,000 dollars. Wendy felt desperate when she saw Lucas so frail on the hospital bed. With no other choice, she sold her kidney on the black market. She believed Lucas would recover with that money. They could go back to their old life, full of hope. She never imagined it was all fake—be it Lucas' background or his cancer. She could not help but wonder if their first meeting was fake, too. Tears streamed down her face. She had given up her kidney for a liar. As for Nat, the only person she could think of was Natelie, one of her juniors from the university. Back then, their university held a speech competition. The prize for first place was 700 dollars. Wendy had worked hard for it, knowing the money could cover her tuition. Eventually, she won first place. Natelie was the first runner-up. When Wendy went up to receive her award, Natelie whispered, "No one steals my spotlight." Wendy had brushed it off as childish competitiveness. She never thought it would cost her so much. Wiping her tears away, Wendy pulled out her phone and called Professor Wayson. Half a month ago, her professor had told her about an overseas study opportunity. He wanted to recommend her for it. At the time, she was occupied with raising money for Lucas and turned him down without hesitation. She had finally learned the truth; there was no reason to give up her future for Lucas anymore. She had no interest in the games of those from high society. "Professor, I'm willing to study abroad." Chapter 2 Professor Wayson sounded genuinely delighted. "Finally, Wendy! Don't worry about the tuition fees. I understand your difficulties and will apply for financial aid on your behalf. As for your boyfriend's treatment expenses, I'll also try to find a way to help. We can organize a donation drive at school—" "Don't worry about it, Professor Wayson." Wendy gently interrupted his kindness. "I can pay my own tuition. There are others who need such aid. As for the money for the treatment, it's not needed anymore." Professor Wayson did not overthink her response. He assumed Wendy had found a new funding source and was genuinely happy for her. "That's great. You can focus on studying abroad now. You still have half a month before admission, so take this time to get your things in order." "Thank you, Professor Wayson." Without explaining further, Wendy ended the call and tightened her grip on the backpack in her arms. She did not waste any more time. She left the hospital, deposited the entire sum into her account, paid her tuition, and bought a plane ticket for her departure in two weeks. In the end, she had only 300 dollars left. Wendy pressed a hand against her still-aching abdomen and glanced at the balance on her account. A bitter smile spread across her face. Ironically, she felt somewhat relieved. At least she had overheard the truth before handing the money to Lucas. When she returned to the hospital ward, Lucas was in bed—alone. Wendy hesitated briefly before stepping inside. Lucas had put away his cocky demeanor, returning to the gentle, caring boyfriend she had always known. "Why are you so late today, Wendy?" Her fingers twitched as she lowered her gaze. "Something at university held me up." Lucas did not suspect anything. He grabbed her hand, his excitement barely contained. "I have great news!" Wendy paused before asking, "What's that?" "The doctor just came by. My cancer diagnosis was a mistake! I'm not sick!" Of course. Wendy closed her eyes for a brief moment. Earlier, she had caught a glimpse of Lucas' phone screen, which was still lit on the bedside table. A message from someone named Nat had popped up in the group chat. [Lucas, tell that broke girl your cancer was misdiagnosed. I want to see her reaction when she realizes she's wasted all her money. It will be hilarious!] Several people joined in, laughing about how brilliant the plan was. Some even bet on whether she would lash out at Lucas in anger. Lucas replied to her message. [As you wish, my lady.] For the past two years, Lucas had given her everything she wanted. She thought she had found the perfect boyfriend. In fact, it was all because of Natelie's orders. To them, she was nothing more than a toy. Wendy smiled and said, "I'm glad you're alright." Her calm reaction caught Lucas off guard. He hesitated for a moment before putting on a guilty expression. "I should've gotten a second opinion earlier. You wouldn't have had to waste all your hard-earned money." Wendy shook her head. "It was worth it to spend it on you." She had considered that money the price she paid to buy out her two years with Lucas. From any perspective, she—the penniless student—had gotten the better end of the deal. Her words hit Lucas like a heavy blow. As the young master of the Shaltons, he had always been surrounded by flattery and false affection since birth. He had long grown immune to empty words. However, it was different with Wendy—she had never known his real identity. Every word she spoke and every sacrifice she made had been genuine. She had willingly spent every penny she had on him and bore no resentment, even after discovering it was all for nothing. A complicated emotion flickered within Lucas. He pulled her into a tight embrace. "Thank you, Wendy." Wendy lowered her gaze, hiding the mockery in her eyes. When they returned to their tiny apartment, Lucas lay on the small, narrow bed and sighed contentedly. "Nothing beats my own bed." Wendy's voice was soft when she said, "You've had a hard time." After all, it must have been exhausting for the young master of the Shaltons—used to luxurious mansions and massive beds—to lower himself and share a cramped rental with her for two years. Soon, all of that would come to an end. Chapter 3 Lucas assumed Wendy was upset about his time in the hospital. He hugged her around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Wendy, meeting you is the greatest blessing in my life." Wendy never wore perfume—only the light scent of her shampoo lingered on her. To Lucas, it was intoxicating. His breathing deepened, and he tightened his arms around her. Pain shot through her abdomen, where she had undergone surgery just that morning. Wendy's face paled as she inhaled sharply in discomfort. Lucas released her immediately, his expression filled with concern. "What's wrong? You look terrible," Lucas asked. She forced a small smile as she replied, "Nothing. Just some stomach cramps." Lucas pressed his warm palm against her lower stomach and pulled her closer. "Let me warm you up." Wendy did not resist. She closed her eyes. Yet, no amount of warmth could cure her disappointment. Meeting Lucas had been the greatest misfortune of her life. The next morning, Wendy woke up early. Lucas was awakened by some noise. He opened his eyes groggily and saw Wendy stuffing all her clothes into a suitcase. He sat up, an alarm flashing in his eyes. "Why are you packing? Are you going somewhere?" Lucas asked. "I'm going to visit the orphanage and donate these old clothes." Wendy continued folding her clothes without looking at him. In two weeks, she would leave. Lucas, a man accustomed to luxury, would never keep the cheap clothes she had bought. She would give them to the children who needed them instead of letting them go to waste. Lucas exhaled in relief subtly. He knew Wendy had always been grateful to the orphanage and visited every month. "I'll go with you," he said. He had accompanied her many times before, but she did not want him there that day. It would be her last visit, her final goodbye. Before she could refuse, Lucas' phone rang. He glanced at the screen and quickly stepped into the bathroom to answer. "It's my boss. I need to pick up this call." However, sound traveled easily in their tiny rented apartment. A sweet, spoiled voice carried clearly through the door. "Lucas, I'm in a bad mood today. You have to keep me company. Come shopping with me." Lucas agreed without hesitation. He wore his usual apologetic smile when he came out and said, "I'm sorry, Wendy. My boss called me to work. I can't go with you today." She met his eyes calmly and nodded. "Alright, go ahead." Without a second thought, Lucas dressed and left in a hurry. Wendy thought of all the times he had left her behind in the past two years, always claiming that his boss needed him. She had pitied him, thinking he was overworked. She had even suggested he look for another job, but he had only pulled her into an embrace, resting his chin on her head. "I don't mind the hard work," he murmured. "I just want to earn enough money to marry you and give you a good life." Such sweet words had moved her deeply. From then on, she had taken on extra errands to earn a little more money, thinking they were working toward a shared future. She finally realized she had been a complete fool. Wendy stopped by the store on her way to the orphanage. Even with little money left, she bought snacks for the children. As she struggled to carry two large bags toward the subway station, she passed a cosmetics store and overheard a familiar voice. "Just buy the whole set. Testing them one by one is a hassle." She turned her head toward the voice's direction and saw Lucas smiling indulgently at a well-dressed young woman. Despite his complaint, he held out his arm obediently while she smeared lipstick on it. Even though two years had passed since Wendy last saw her—it was Natelie. So that was where Lucas had been whenever he said his boss needed him. Natelie pouted and said, "You're happy to spend all your time with that lowly girl, but shopping with me is a chore?" Lucas looked at her with a fond smile. "How could I? I did all this to help you teach her a lesson, didn't I? Let's buy these and continue shopping. You have me for the entire day." He instructed the salesperson to pack up the entire lipstick collection. The salesperson, seemingly familiar with him, moved swiftly. "Mr. Lucas, that will be 14,000 dollars. Thank you for your purchase." Wendy slightly swayed when she heard the amount. In two years of dating, Lucas's most expensive gift to her was a silver bracelet worth 14 dollars. Most of his presents were cheap trinkets—bracelets that cost a few dollars and keychains from street vendors. Yet, that 14,000 dollars seemed nothing to him when it came to pleasing Natelie. That was the real Lucas—carefree, extravagant, and utterly indifferent to her struggles. Wendy had seen enough. She turned to leave, but the flimsy plastic bag in her hands tore, and the snacks she had bought for the orphanage spilled onto the floor. The loud noise caught Lucas' attention. Their eyes met. For a brief moment, she saw it—the flicker of panic in his gaze. Guilt. Fear. Unease. Those were all the emotions of a man caught in a lie. Chapter 4 "Wendy, weren't you going to the orphanage?" Wendy glanced at the scattered snacks on the ground. "I came to buy some things for the kids." Lucas tried to hide his shopping bags, but his hands were full. "I—I'm just here shopping with my boss' daughter! He's busy today, so he's asked me to accompany her. These things aren't mine." The more he explained, the more flustered he sounded, as if trying to cover something up. Wendy's eyes fell on the shopping bags. She might not recognize those high-end brands, but a single set of lipsticks costing 14,000 dollars spoke volumes. "Your boss is really generous." Lucas did not respond, afraid of making things worse. He set his bags down and moved to help Wendy pick up her snacks. However, before he could, a delicate hand rested on his shoulder, stopping him. "Wendy, he's not helping you today—even if he's your boyfriend," a sugary voice said. "He still has to shop with me—that's his job." Lucas hesitated, looking at Wendy. "Wendy, it's my boss' order. I—" "I understand," Wendy said, interrupting him. "I can handle it. You two go ahead and enjoy your shopping." Without another word, she crouched to gather the scattered snacks. Lucas tried to help, but in the end, he let Natelie pull him away. At the orphanage, the children's laughter filled the air as they excitedly tore into the snacks. As she watched their bright smiles, Wendy felt a warmth she had not experienced in a long time. Noticing she had come alone, the orphanage director asked, "Where's Lucas? He usually comes with you." Wendy could not respond. The director gently patted her shoulder and said, "Wendy, you grew up here. I know how much you've longed for a family of your own. "Lucas works three jobs to save up to marry you. He stands up for you, takes care of you, and he's wonderful with the kids here. He's a good man, someone you can rely on. If you two had a fight, don't be stubborn—just talk it out." Bitterness filled Wendy's heart. She had never told the director about Lucas' supposed illness. No one knew she had sold a kidney to save him—only to find out it was all a lie. Lucas had been good to her over the past two years, but she had been good to him, too. When she got home, Lucas was already there, waiting with dinner. "Wendy, I had no choice but to leave you there today. It was for work. Once I've earned enough money, I'll never leave you behind again. I swear," his voice was laced with guilt as if he truly regretted it. Wendy had heard the same sentence countless times before; the words had lost their meaning. She merely hummed in response and sat down to eat. Perhaps Lucas had nearly been caught that day; he seemed more on edge than usual. Dinner was unusually quiet. After they were done, Lucas pulled out a small box, his face lighting up with anticipation. "Wendy, thank you for taking care of me these past few weeks. My boss' daughter was in a good mood and gave me a bonus today. I used it to buy you a gift. Open it." Wendy accepted the box and lifted the lid. It was a single lipstick. It was the same luxury brand she had seen earlier at the mall—the one Lucas had gifted Natelie. She ran her fingers along the bottom of the box, feeling the faint stickiness where a price tag had recently been peeled away. She could not help but lift the edge of her lips because of a fresh wave of sarcasm. He had just pulled off the sticker. The gift he gave her was a freebie, while Natelie got an entire luxury set. Perhaps a girl like her—a penniless orphan—was only worth a complimentary product in Lucas' eyes. Lucas frowned at her lack of reaction. "What's wrong? You don't like the color? I had the salesperson pick it out for you." Wendy set the box aside and shook her head. She said, "You don't need to spend money on me." After all, they would not be together for much longer. She wanted to cut ties between them. Lucas, however, seemed relieved. "Oh, you're just worried about money." His usual affectionate smile returned. "It's only fair that I spend it on you. After all, you used all your savings on me, didn't you?" Wendy curled her lips into a faint smile but said nothing. She was exhausted from the day's events. After washing up, she went straight to bed. The next morning, she was still half-asleep when her phone rang. She answered it. "Wendy, your thesis has been reported for falsifying data," Professor Wayson said, his anxious voice coming through the phone. "The university is launching an investigation!" Chapter 5 Wendy jolted awake. Falsifying data was a serious crime. It was a career-ending disaster for a researcher. If she were accused of fraud, she would not only be unable to graduate but also lose her chance to study abroad. She had spent a month working late nights to gather the data for her thesis. She could not figure out who would accuse her of fabrication. "Professor, you know I conducted the experiments myself. There was no way I plagiarized." Professor Wayson let out a heavy sigh. "My trust isn't enough. You need evidence. "But there's only less than two weeks left before graduation. Even if you submit a timeline of your experiments, it will not be reviewed in time for your graduation. "The only way is to talk to the person who reported you and convince them to withdraw the complaint." "Who reported me?" Wendy immediately asked. "Natelie." Wendy felt extremely helpless when she heard the name. She had no idea why Natelie would not leave her alone. Natelie even wanted to ruin her academic career. Meanwhile, Lucas was nowhere to be found. She did not have direct contact with Natelie and had no idea where to find her. With no other choice, she searched for Cole Corporation's address online and rushed over, hoping to run into her. She stood outside for four hours without drinking a single drop of water. Her body had not fully recovered from the kidney removal surgery; she could not endure such standing and hunger. Just as she was about to collapse, two familiar figures walked out of the building—Natelie and Lucas. Wendy struggled and stepped forward to block their way. Lucas was startled to see her there, his voice uneasy as he said, "Wendy, why are you here?" All Wendy wanted was to get Natalie to withdraw the report—nothing else mattered. "Ms. Cole, I gathered all my data through experiments. There was no fraud. Please withdraw your complaint." Lucas had no idea about the situation. "What—" Natelie interrupted him with a smile. "What if I have doubts? The university will investigate whether it is genuine, and they will decide." The investigation would take at least two weeks. She did not have that much time. "Ms. Cole, tell me. What will it take for you to withdraw the complaint?" Wendy knew Natelie did that on purpose. She decided to be straightforward. Natelie did not even spare her a glance. "You ruined my shopping mood yesterday. What about this? Stand here and apologize loudly. I will withdraw the complaint when I forgive you. What do you think?" Lucas frowned, but he remained silent. Wendy took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions surging in her heart. She stood at the company's entrance, where people constantly came and went. Then, she said, "I am sorry. Please forgive me." People turned to look at her, their gazes filled with curiosity and ridicule. Wendy had never felt such humiliation. But she had no choice. "I'm sorry. Please forgive me." Natelie chuckled. "Why is your voice so soft?" Natelie asked. Wendy shut her eyes, ignoring the pain in her abdomen, and raised her voice. "I'm sorry. Please forgive me." She had lost count of her repeated words. The mocking stares and Natelie's amused expression blurred in her vision. The pain in her stomach got stronger. Her body could no longer hold on. She collapsed. At the last moment, she saw Lucas running toward her in a panic before she closed her eyes. Chapter 6 Lucas grabbed Wendy's hand as soon as she woke up. "Wendy, you scared me." She pulled her hand away calmly. After two years together, she refused to believe he did not understand her personality. Yet, he had done nothing when she was humiliated by Natelie. She finally realized that the man who once shielded her from harm was gone. "Why did you faint so suddenly?" Before she could answer, the doctor walked in with her test results. He looked solemn. "Wendy, your results show that—" "I know, Doctor." She interrupted him before he could finish. The doctor glanced at Lucas, sighed, and left the room. Lucas felt a sudden panic. "What is wrong with you? Are you sick?" His voice trembled. Wendy forced a small smile. "It's not a big deal—just low blood sugar. I've had this issue for a long time." Lucas knew she had low blood sugar. He sighed in relief. Looking at her pale face, he hesitated before speaking. "I'm sorry, Wendy. I didn't mean to keep quiet today. She's my boss' daughter. I could lose my job if I upset her." He avoided her eyes as he spoke. After all, he had chosen Natelie's side earlier. Wendy ignored the sharp pain in her chest and pulled the blanket over her head. "I understand. You should go back. Don't let work pile up," she said. Lucas felt a pang of guilt. Wendy, who was frail, was still considerate of him. He stood there for a long time. Finally, he placed his hand on her head over the blanket. "I'll never let you suffer again." What a touching promise, but it was just a lie. The fraud accusation was resolved. Wendy graduated and completed the procedure to study abroad. The doctor advised her to stay in the hospital for a few more days, but she insisted on leaving. When she returned to her apartment, everything was exactly as she had left it. Lucas had not gone back at all. She opened the news that popped up on her phone notification bar. [Breaking news! Lucas and Natelie have announced that their engagement is in seven days!] Her breath hitched—that was what had kept Lucas busy the past few days. There were only six days left until she left that place. With a quiet sigh, she gathered all the his-and-hers items in the apartment—matching toothbrush cups, towels, and keychains. They were no longer needed. After packing them into a box, she headed downstairs to throw them away. Just as she stepped out, she ran into Lucas. He looked at the familiar items they had once carefully picked out together. His voice trembled as he said, "Why are you throwing them away?" Chapter 7 "They're not needed anymore. You can buy new ones later." After all, he and Natelie would have plenty of new things once they got married. Wendy threw the box away and headed back upstairs. Just as she reached the door, she heard Lucas speaking in a hushed tone. "Don't worry, Nat. I'll make sure she comes to our engagement party." A sweet, playful voice responded on the other end of the call, saying, "Hmph, I want to see her face when she realizes her boyfriend of two years is now my fiancé. She loves attention, doesn't she? I will make sure she gets plenty of it!" Wendy tightened her grip uncontrollably. She forced a stiff smile—as if their plan would fail next. Sure enough, Lucas handed her an invitation when she went back in. "Wendy, there's an event in seven days. Come with me, okay? You have to be there." She looked at him for a long time before taking the card. Her voice was calm. "Alright." She prepared a gift for them even if she would not attend it. Lucas did not return home for the next few days, using work as an excuse. Wendy took the time to pack her belongings. Two days before she left, the university hosted a graduation party. Although she had moved out of the dorms, she had a good relationship with her classmates. She wanted to bid farewell to them before she left for two years. She had not expected to see Natelie and Lucas there. Natelie held onto Lucas' arm, a bright, innocent smile on her face. "I heard you're graduating today, Wendy. I gave your boyfriend the day off to celebrate with you!" Wendy knew well of Natelie's intentions. She took a step back and kept some distance between them. Natelie, pretending not to notice, moved even closer. Wendy did not realize she was standing near a champagne tower. Natelie's eyes flickered before she suddenly gasped and lunged toward Wendy. Wendy stepped back on instinct, and her elbow hit the table. The champagne tower collapsed instantly. The glasses shattered, and golden liquid spilled everywhere. Without thinking, Lucas shielded Natelie. Wendy crashed to the ground. Glass shards pierced her skin. The floor was a mixture of her blood and champagne. The alcohol seeped into the wound on her abdomen, fresh blood oozing from the barely healed incision. Her face turned deathly pale. Through blurred vision, she saw Lucas carefully inspecting Natelie for injuries. His hands trembled as he checked her arms and shoulders. For a moment, she saw the Lucas from two years ago—the one who used to stand in front of her. She tried to reach out to Lucas with her shaking hands. However, before she could do so, her strength gave out. Her arm fell limply to the ground. Chapter 8 When Wendy opened her eyes, she was wrapped in bandages from head to toe. The doctor stood by her bed, his expression filled with pity. "You had too many glass shards embedded in your body. We had to operate for five hours to remove them all. "The wounds on your body are minor. They will heal with time. But there's a deep cut on your face. The flesh was already torn when you were brought in. We stitched it up, but it will leave a scar unless you undergo reconstructive surgery. "It will cost 1300 dollars to do the surgery. You should pay the fees now." She had less than 200 dollars left—far from enough for the operation. With difficulty, Wendy said, "Doctor, I—I'm not doing the surgery." The doctor frowned. "Are you sure? The scar will be permanent. It's on your face." Every woman cared about her appearance, but she simply could not afford it. After a brief silence, Wendy nodded. "Then, you may be discharged now. Just be careful not to get your wounds wet," the doctor said. Her phone chimed. It was a message from Lucas. [Wendy, my boss' daughter got hurt. I need to stay at the hospital with her. You should head home.] He had not even noticed Wendy lying in that pile of shattered glass, bleeding. Wendy slowly got out of bed, gritting her teeth against the pain as she went to complete the discharge procedure. As she reached the stairwell, she saw Natelie sobbing pitifully, clutching her cheek. "I can't be disfigured! My face can't have scars—not even one! The engagement party is tomorrow!" Lucas gently comforted her. "Don't worry, Natelie. I'll make sure your face stays perfect. I'll get you the best medicine and the best doctor." The doctor beside them spoke up. "There's a highly effective scar removal cream, but it's expensive—about 1,000 dollars per tube." Without hesitation, Lucas pulled out a black credit card. "Natelie's face is what matters most. Money is nothing. Get ten tubes. I don't want a single mark left on her skin." Natelie finally stopped crying. She threw her arms around Lucas' neck. "Lucas, I'm so lucky to have you." Her hand slipped away, revealing the so-called disfiguring wound. It was nothing more than a tiny scratch, barely visible unless one looked closely. Wendy touched her own face out of instinct. Even through the bandages, she could feel the stitches crisscrossing her skin. She could already imagine how ugly the scar must be. Lucas had spent 10,000 dollars on a cream for a small, almost invisible wound. The amount was way more than the 8,000 dollars she had saved over four years, plus the 1,300 dollars she needed for her surgery. They truly lived in different worlds. After completing the discharge paperwork, she returned to her apartment. Her flight was in less than four hours. She had already packed most of her things over the past few days. However, she had to prepare a gift for Lucas and Natelie's engagement party tomorrow. She had packed all the gifts Lucas had given her for the past few years—the free lipstick from a few days ago, the cheap hair ties he had gifted her on their 100-day anniversary, an artificial flower from a street vendor he had given her for her 21st birthday, a silver-plated ring from their first anniversary, and the most expensive gift of all—the sterling silver bracelet that had barely cost over 15 dollars. Two years' worth of gifts filled an entire box—it felt heavy. Yet, their total value was probably less than 50 dollars. To him, she had been nothing more than a plaything, someone who only deserved cheap trinkets. At the top of the invitation, she wrote a single sentence. [I wish you happiness. May we never meet again.] She placed the invitation on top of the box and scheduled an express delivery to the address printed on the card the following afternoon. A notification popped up on her phone—three hours until departure. Wendy grabbed her suitcase and took one last look at the place she had once called home. Then, without hesitation, she turned and left for the airport. As the plane soared into the sky, she had left everything behind. From then on, everyone's life would return to normal. Lucas would go back to being the high-and-mighty heir of the Shaltons. She would leave for a future that no longer included him. They would never cross paths again.