Chapter 4

The crimson cinnabar charm dangling from her neck caught my eye, causing my heart to ache. It was identical to the one my mother had acquired for me through arduous prayer, kneeling 81 times before her passing.

When Zach fell seriously ill, I not only gave him one of my kidneys but also entrusted him with the talisman for protection. I never thought he'd give it to her.

Instinctively, I reached for the cinnabar. Suddenly, Zach's hand clamped around my throat, his grip unyielding as he berated me.

"Yvette, haven't you learned anything? How dare you try to confront Vicky again?"

Tears cascaded down my cheeks, landing on his hand. A flicker of remorse crossed his face, but upon noticing the talisman in my grasp, his anger reignited.

"It's your fault!" he barked. "You caused Vicky's foot injury last time. I gave it to her for protection."

I gazed at him, stunned into silence, struggling to comprehend. Mustering all my humility, I pleaded quietly,

"This is a memento from my mother. Please, may I have it back?"

Zach wavered, seemingly about to agree, when Vicky chimed in with a honeyed voice,

"But I really like it."

Zach froze, then softened his tone, patting my arm as if to console me.

"Since Vicky enjoys it, let her wear it for a while, just for fun."

A bitter chuckle escaped me, mingling with tears. I laughed and wept until it hurt.

Zach pulled me into an embrace.

"You're expecting," he said, almost scolding. "You shouldn't get so agitated."

His words only intensified my anguish. Without warning, I snatched the talisman and swallowed it whole.

Terror flashed across Zach's face. He frantically pried my mouth open before sweeping me into his arms and rushing me to the hospital.

As I underwent gastric lavage, Zach hovered anxiously. When the cinnabar was finally expelled, he exhaled in relief.

But before I could reach for the soiled talisman, Vicky's shoe descended upon it with deliberate force. The red beads shattered into countless pieces.

"Oops, my bad," she said, her voice laced with mockery.

Zach's indifferent response cut even deeper.

"It's for the best. That thing was driving Yvette mad."

I stared at the broken fragments on the floor, my heart shattering alongside them. They had trampled on the love and legacy my parents had bequeathed to me.

As the physician explained post-procedure care, Zach inquired offhandedly,

"By the way, Doctor, how's the baby doing?"

But before the doctor could reply, Vicky tugged him away. He left without waiting for an answer.

I returned home alone, my mind in turmoil. Without hesitation, I arranged to relocate my parents' graves. I needed to expedite my departure plans. I couldn't remain in this city any longer.

While waiting for the move, our wedding anniversary arrived.

Zach insisted on celebrating, refusing to take no for an answer. But just as we were about to leave, Vicky emerged from the neighboring villa and slipped into the front seat without hesitation.

"She just returned from America and wanted to join us," Zach said casually. "Don't mind her."

I watched Vicky munching on potato chips, occasionally feeding one to Zach.

My thoughts drifted to the past. Zach used to detest anyone eating in his car. I once sipped water during a long journey, and he doused me with the remainder in anger. Even when I was famished and in pain, he forbade anything that might leave an odor.

But now? Love had clearly redrawn his boundaries.

The anniversary dinner felt surreal. The server, confused by their overly familiar behavior, mistook them for a couple.

I consumed the steak Zach had cut for me while observing him and Vicky share nostalgic laughter. Their closeness no longer stirred any emotion in my heart.

When the meal concluded, I handed Zach a neatly sealed envelope.

"This is for you," I said. "Open it when you're home."

His brows furrowed slightly as he accepted it.

Suddenly, the fire alarm blared, throwing the restaurant into chaos. People scrambled toward the exits, and I found myself caught in the crowd.

Zach, however, didn't hesitate. He instinctively pulled Vicky into his arms and ran for the door.

I stood there, jostled by the panicked throng, watching his retreating figure.

For a fleeting moment, I reached out, desperate to grab the edge of his coat, hoping he'd look back and take me with him.

But he never turned around.

I stood there alone, helpless as the frenzied crowd pushed me forward. My feet were trampled multiple times, the sharp pain bringing tears to my eyes. I couldn't discern what hurt more—my feet or my heart.

Dragging my luggage, I finally made my way to the airport, still shaken. The images of people engulfed by flames haunted me, as did Zach's cold indifference.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled out my phone and sent a single message to Zach:

[Goodbye.]