Chapter 3 farewell

And so, the journey began — from Don Vo Domaill to the City of Milnavos.

The Black Swan sailed smoothly across the open sea, its dark sails cutting through the gentle waves. Overhead, the sky stretched wide and clear, painted in soft hues of blue, with the sunlight glinting off the water like scattered diamonds. The wind carried the scent of salt and freedom, while the crew moved briskly on deck, their voices mingling with the cry of distant gulls.

There, near the bow of the ship, Gordon leaned over a global map, pointing out their route to Selena. She playfully pretended to be a pirate, making him chuckle. The two laughed together, caught in a rare moment of lightness.

Selena started a conversation.

"Gordon," she called softly, "do you want to tell me about the girl you were chasing?"

Gordon smiled faintly. "It's a long story."

Selena stroked her hair, tucking it behind her ear. She grinned. "I have five hours before we reach the city."

Seeing her curiosity, Gordon finally spoke.

"The girl I've been chasing… was my childhood love. Our families were closely bonded — so much so that we built a company together, called R&E. But one day, the promise we made was broken."

Gordon's voice grew heavier.

"Her family arranged for her to marry into another wealthy family. One night… she was taken."

Gordon's fingers absentmindedly traced his chest, where something lay hidden beneath his shirt — a promise necklace.

In a low whisper, he continued, "That was the night I made a promise to her… that I would find her. But after days of searching, no one ever saw her again."

With a heavy heart, Gordon exhaled. "Some say… she's no longer with us."

Selena's eyes widened. "No way… that's the story of the wealthy Ravensdale family!"

Gordon sighed. "Yes. That's my story."

Still in denial, Selena pressed him for more. "Are you serious?"

Without another word, Gordon unbuttoned the top of his shirt, revealing the necklace he had worn all these years.

The moment Selena caught a glimpse of it, a shock ran through her body.

A sudden flashback played in her mind — Emily grabbing her necklace, Emily's eyes reflecting Gordon's face.

The vision shifted. She saw them — Gordon and Emily — as children. She saw the moment Gordon gifted Emily the necklace and made his promise.

"Emily, remember this — I will find you, no matter what! That's a promise!"

But just as Emily's fingers brushed the necklace, someone seized her from behind and yanked her away. The door slammed shut in Gordon's face — a promise ripped away in an instant.

Selena's body went cold. Her throat dried up, and a shiver ran down her spine.

"No way…" she whispered.

Trying to steady herself, she forced the words out.

"So you are…?"

Gordon replied softly,

"Yes. I am Gordon Everleigh. And she is Emily Ravensdale."

Selena's heart plummeted. She wished she could unhear it.

Her best friend was no longer just a friend — she was now a threat.

Yet, she forced a smile, hiding her emotions.

As the City of Milnavos drew closer, unease settled deep in her chest. Every passing minute felt like an eternity.

She wanted to turn back. She wanted to run. But it was too late now.

Beyond the endless ocean, the city loomed ahead — and there was no escaping it.

"Release the anchor, boys! We're here — the City of Milnavos!" Captain Brendon shouted.

The crew hurried to unload the cargo as the captain glanced at Selena.

"Enjoy your time here, my lady. Good luck with your friend."

As Gordon led Selena through the bustling city, they wandered into a lively market. Among the various stalls, something caught Gordon's eyes — a candy seller famous among the locals.

Gordon offered some to Selena, but she hesitated.

Her mind was clouded by thoughts of Emily.

Noticing her silence, Gordon asked,

"What's the matter? Are you alright?"

He assumed she was just feeling seasick — it was, after all, her first time on a ship.

Selena forced a gentle smile and murmured,

"Gordon… if you meet Emily once again… what will happen?"

Gordon frowned, confused by her question.

Selena looked up at him, her eyes filled with fear and hopelessness.

The weight of her emotions left him speechless.

Without a word, he pulled her into a hug.

Questions flooded Gordon's mind — but he had no answers.

As they arrived at the hospital, Selena glanced at Gordon and softly asked him to stay outside.

Without hesitation, Gordon nodded.

"Of course."

He stepped back, giving her the space she needed.

Watching Selena go inside, Gordon sat on a bench under a tree in the hospital garden, waiting. As he looked around, he noticed a girl in a wheelchair passing behind him, a nurse guiding her.

"Miss Emily, it's time to go inside," said the nurse.

Gordon immediately turned around.

There she was — Emily. Motionless, sitting in the wheelchair, her gaze cast downward. With her new short hairstyle, she looked younger — almost like a child.

As Gordon gazed at her, a familiar warmth filled his chest.

"That's… Emily?"

He reached out instinctively.

The sound of his voice reached Emily's ears, and for the first time, she responded — her fingers twitched ever so slightly.

The nurse gasped in joy. She turned to Gordon with a warm smile before rushing inside toward the hospital gates.

Gordon stood frozen, speechless.

Meanwhile, Selena reunited with Emily in her room.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she saw her friend in this condition — motionless, unresponsive, unable to speak or react.

Suddenly, a familiar voice — Ms. Mary — welcomed Selena with love and a big hug.

"Ms. Mary, how is Emily?" Selena asked softly.

Ms. Mary sighed.

"Her condition is bad… she's unable to respond. But she can still hear us. There's nothing more we can do for her. She's fighting her own battles now. All we can do is hope."

She patted Selena's shoulder.

"I'll leave you some time alone with her."

Then, she quietly left the room.

Selena sat on the edge of Emily's bed, staring at her old friend — now just a shell of who she used to be.

"Hey, Em… it's me, Selena. We were best friends back then… until you broke my necklace. Do you remember? That necklace, made by someone named Gordon?"

She smiled bitterly, brushing a few strands of Emily's golden hair behind her ear. "I always admired you. Even now, you look beautiful."

She adjusted her position, leaning in closer.

"Hey, Em… do you wanna know a secret?"

Selena moved near Emily's ear, whispering in a soft, airy voice.

"I got your man, Gordon."

Emily's wide, teary eyes — helpless.

"Look, Em… you should thank me," Selena murmured.

Reaching for Emily's water cup, she carefully unscrewed the chloroform bottle.

"Em, do you know what this is?" Selena asked, tilting just a few drops into the water. It mixed silently.

"Someone will feed you soon. And that's going to be your last breath."

She swirled the cup gently before placing it back on the table.

Meanwhile, as Mary left the room, she bumped into Gordon.

"Gordon?! What are you doing here?" Mary asked, surprised, sweat running down her face.

"Ma'am, can I ask you a couple of questions?" Gordon asked.

Mary looked at him nervously, mild curiosity in her eyes.

"Who is Emily?" he asked, his voice low but insistent, demanding an answer she could no longer avoid.

With a faded smile, she spoke.

"Not many people know this, and not many have asked. Emily… she wasn't born in my town. Her family sent her to me, placed her under my care. But Emily — she was never comfortable with that, so she insisted on working for me at my store. Her family owns a company, and I've always been grateful to her family. And to her. She is…"

Mary paused.

"And you? Do you think you found what you're looking for?"

Gordon smiled slightly.

"So her full name is… Emily Ravensdale."

Mary smiled faintly before answering.

Gordon's eyes widened. Without another word, he quickly rushed toward her room.

Reaching the door, he placed his hand on the knob and took a deep breath.

A flash of memories struck over him, pulling him back into the past — the door, slammed in his face by the kidnappers, sealing Emily away from him; the door, standing before Emily's shop, where he once lingered, uncertainty keeping him from stepping inside; the door of Emily's house, only a letter slipped under the door frame…

Just that distance between them — and now yet another one.

Gordon exhaled.

"This is it. The last door."

His fingers curled around the doorknob, his heartbeat skipping fast.

He opened it.

The first thing Gordon saw was Selena. She stood there, holding Emily's cup, her other hand hiding a small bottle of chloroform.

Emily sat motionless in her bed, tears streaming silently down her face.

Selena turned in shock, panic flashing across her features.

"Help me!" she cried. "Emily was choking — she needs water!" she blurted out, her voice trembling.

Without hesitation, Gordon rushed forward. He grabbed the cup from Selena's hands, kneeling beside Emily.

Gently, he stroked her hair, lifting her head to help her drink.

Emily's teary eyes met his, her weak hands trembling as she tried to reach for him.

For a fleeting moment, Gordon felt an overwhelming sense of relief wash over him.

Finally…

Emily's lips curved into a faint smile.

She tried to speak — her mouth forming silent words: "I see you."

But her life was slipping away.

Gordon leaned closer, his face near the cup — when a sharp, distinct chemical scent hit his nose. His breath caught. His eyes darkened.

Slowly, he turned to Selena, his voice dangerously low.

"What have you done, Selena?"

Selena trembled, her face pale as she broke down.

"Yes… I put chloroform in her drink, but I didn't mean it like this," she sobbed, her voice cracking with guilt.

Suddenly, the room filled with gasps and commotion as nurses rushed in, pulling Gordon aside. He fought back, desperate to reach Emily.

Mary stood frozen in the doorway, trying to comprehend the horror before her.

The nurses surrounded Emily, their voices frantic, shouting orders, pressing against Emily's fragile body again and again.

Yet deep down, they all knew.

On the other side of the room, Gordon lunged forward, desperate to reach Emily — but the nurses' grip tightened around his arms, holding him back.

He shouted,

"Let me see her!"

But they refused, pushing him back, helpless.

His hands clenched into fists. His breath came ragged.

A storm of emotions raged inside him — anger, sorrow, helplessness.

He had never felt so powerless.

Then —

A sudden voice, soft and delicate, like silk, whispered his name.

A single tear traced down his cheek.

Emily's voice soothed,

"It's alright… I see you."

Gordon's heart twisted, his eyes flooding with tears.

He saw Emily's body, lying lifeless — and yet her presence lingered around him like a final embrace.

He closed his eyes, feeling her for one last time.

Emily's voice faded into nothingness, like a whisper carried away by the wind.

Gordon's chest tightened as the weight of reality crashed down on him.

Emily had given him her final farewell. Then — silence.

A doctor's voice broke through the hush.

"She's gone."

Gordon collapsed to the floor.

A guttural, broken sound tore from his throat — half a sob, half a scream.

Anguish burned through him like fire.

Frustration, grief, rage twisted inside him.

With wild, desperate fury, he struck the wooden floor with his fist, over and over.

"WHY!"

His cry echoed through the room.

Just like that, fate had taken Emily away — as Gordon watched his love slip through his fingers, like sand.

The promise he had carried all these years… would never be fulfilled.

The next morning, they set sail back to Don Vo Domaill, carrying Emily home for her final rest — where she belonged.

The entire town gathered, mourning her loss.

Faces were solemn, eyes filled with grief.

The air hung heavy with sorrow.

As if the heavens wept with them, rain began to fall — soft, gentle, like tears from the sky, soaking the soil where Emily was laid to rest.

Gordon stood before her grave, his heart weighed down by unbearable ache.

Slowly, with trembling hands, he pulled out the necklace he had carried for so long.

Carefully, he placed it on her tombstone — a final farewell for his first love, and his only love.

He took a deep breath.

And then, turning away, he walked from the town, his figure fading into the rain, like a ghost carried off by the wind — together with his broken heart.

As for Selena —

Guilt and sorrow shadowed her wherever she went.

She had lost her best friend. And the man she loved.

For Mary —

She was disappointed beyond words by Selena's actions, but she kept her sorrow hidden from the world.

Selena had been like a daughter to her — her adored daughter. The girl she had raised, loved, and protected.

Yet the truth of what Selena had done had shattered something deep within her.

But Mary never spoke of it.

Never revealed the pain that lingered in her heart.

From that day forward —

She never spoke to Selena again.

Next: Chapter 4 — Guilt