Chapter 7

Three days before the wedding countdown, Alex and Selena returned.

When I received the call, I was packing the last batch of books to be shipped away.

"Dinner tonight. Selena wants to thank you." Alex's voice came through the receiver, the background filled with airport announcements and the noise of crowds.

"Alright." I didn't ask questions, nor did I refuse. Just like accepting any ordinary schedule.

After hanging up, I continued what I was doing, sealing the cardboard box with tape. Another large piece of my trace in this apartment had disappeared.

That evening, I went to the dinner. When I arrived at the private dining room, they were already there.

Selena's complexion looked even better than in her Instagram photos.

"Isabella, thank you for coming." She spoke first, her voice soft. "This trip... Alex took very good care of me. I just felt I should thank you in person for your... understanding and generosity."

I said nothing, sitting directly in my seat.

Alex frowned slightly and called for the waiter.

Selena didn't immediately look at the menu. She said softly to Alex, "This place is still the same, hasn't changed a bit."

"The apartment seems a lot emptier." Alex suddenly spoke, breaking the brief silence. "Did you move things from the study and living room?"

Here it comes.

I closed the menu and met his gaze. "Yes. I tidied up a bit. I have an academic conference trip next week. Been too busy lately, so I sorted things while I had time."

"A trip?" His brow furrowed slightly. "When was this? Why didn't I hear you mention it?"

"Decided last minute. My advisor recommended it. A rare opportunity." I brushed it off in a few words, not giving him a chance to probe further.

"Let's order. I'm a bit hungry." Selena interjected at the right moment.

When Alex recited Selena's dietary restrictions to the waiter, his familiarity was startling: "She doesn't eat cilantro, onions must be completely cooked down, salt reduced by half in all dishes, sauces served on the side. She's pregnant, so her palate needs to be particularly mild."

Then it was my turn.

The dessert he ordered for me was mango parfait.

I almost laughed out loud.

After ten years by his side, he had forgotten that I nearly suffocated from accidentally eating mango at a banquet with him years ago.

But I said nothing.

There was nothing left for me to say to him.

When the aperitifs arrived, I stood up. "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

I had just reached the stairwell when a figure emerged from the shadows beside me, blocking my path.

It was Selena.

"How have these ten days been, Isabella?" She spoke, her voice pressed low, yet every word was clear. "Watching your fiancé accompany me to our future honeymoon destinations, fulfilling my final wishes... how does it feel?"

I looked at her, my face expressionless, my heart unable to muster even a ripple of emotion.

I stepped around her, intending to continue down.

Just as I turned, my foot about to land on the staircase—

She suddenly reached out and shoved me hard!

Almost at the same moment, I heard a short cry of alarm behind me, followed by a dull thud.

I turned around and saw Selena collapsed on the carpet at the top of the stairs, hands clutching her belly, face deathly pale, tears instantly welling in her eyes.

"Isabella!" Alex rushed over from the private room, demanding, "What did you do?"

Selena leaned in his arms, tears streaming down her face. "She... she pushed me..."

"Isabella Kane!" Each word seemed squeezed through his clenched teeth. "I never imagined you could be this vicious! To lay hands on a sick person, a pregnant woman?!"

Silence.

No defense.

No explanation.

I couldn't even feel anger.

"Call an ambulance." I stood up. "Don't delay."

The last supper ended with a crude framing.

Enduring the pain in my ribs, I ignored Alex's roaring behind me and walked down the stairs, step by step, and left.