Chapter 7
Scarlett pressed her lips together, unsure what she was feeling in that moment.
Nathaniel looked at her questioningly. “Is something wrong?”
Scarlett gazed at him, forcing a casual smile. “Nothing.”
Nathaniel gave her a long, searching look, then leaned down to say something to Riley, who nodded and left first.
After Riley had walked away, Nathaniel approached Scarlett and handed her a plane ticket.
“After the wedding, you’ll return to America.”
Scarlett froze, then asked in disbelief, “Are you worried I’ll ruin things for you?”
Nathaniel’s gaze was dark and unreadable. “I don’t want any complications for Riley and me afterward.”
Scarlett’s heart suddenly contracted painfully.
She blinked, trying to hold back but still feeling her eyes grow hot.
She couldn’t possibly ruin anything for them because she simply didn’t have the time.
Scarlett exhaled heavily, looking at Nathaniel and saying deliberately, “Nathaniel…”
He looked down at her, his eyes filled with darkness.
Scarlett felt as if his intense gaze had blocked something in her chest. She remained silent for a very long time.
Finally, she smiled through her tears and said, “Nathaniel, I wish you a happy marriage.”
After Nathaniel left, Scarlett returned to her room and looked at the unfinished cake on the table.
The cream had already melted, with chocolate pieces scattered on the table.
Scarlett stood for a moment, then walked over and sat down, eating the cake bite by bite.
It was past midnight-her birthday had begun..
‘Happy birthday, Scarlett,” she whispered to herself. “You would die on your own birthday.”
Scarlett looked around the empty hotel room as she finished the last bite of cake, her face already streaked with tears.
Her twenty-seventh birthday. Her mere twenty-seven years of life.
The next day, Scarlett checked out of the hotel early.
Switzerland really was small-walking out of the hotel, she could see a row of wedding cars.
Written on the cars in golden lettering: “Congratulations to Nathaniel Blackwell and Riley Jordan.”
She stared at the cars for a moment, then turned away and took a taxi to the medical facility.
The medical staff had already prepared everything.
Scarlett chose a room with a window, through which the Alps were clearly visible.
Lying on the bed, once everything was ready, the staff handed her a control switch.
“After pushing the switch, you’ll fall asleep within thirty seconds and pass away within four minutes. If you change your mind, just push the switch
back to stop the procedure.”
Before that, if you have any last words or letters, we can deliver them for you.”
Scarlett paused blankly. She wanted to say nobody would want to hear her last words.
But instead, she said, “When the pallbearer I requested arrives, please tell him to bury me next to my parents.”
Let her return to her parents. A family reunion.
After speaking, Scarlett took one last look at the bright blue sky in the distance and resolutely pushed the switch.
The cold liquid flowed into her body. She didn’t feel pain, just cold-her entire body growing increasingly frigid.
In her daze, she thought she heard church bells ringing in the distance.
The melodious echo resonated in her ears. She knew Nathaniel’s wedding ceremony had begun.
On her birthday. On the day of her death.
Two tears slid down her temples as Scarlett slowly closed her eyes, never to open them again.
Meanwhile, at the church.
“I can’t reach Scarlett. What should we do?” Riley was anxious. “The ceremony starts in a few minutes. She’s not backing out of being my bridesmaid, is she?”
Nathaniel frowned at his phone that couldn’t connect, pressing his lips together as he moved toward the door. “I’ll go find her.”
“Let’s just forget about it!” Riley called after him. “We can do without a bridesmaid. Don’t delay the wedding.”
Nathaniel paused for a moment. For some reason, he felt deeply uneasy.
He glanced out the window, still troubled. “I’ll be back quickly. It won’t cause a delay.”
He started walking out, but Riley suddenly grabbed his wrist.
“Nathaniel! What are you trying to do? Don’t forget what you promised me! My parents and brother died because of you! Are you abandoning me
now?!”
Nathaniel froze, feeling as if his feet were weighed down by thousands of pounds, unable to take another step.
He pressed his lips tightly together, and after a long while, withdrew his leg.
Just then, the church bells suddenly rang out loudly, startling a flock of birds from the trees.
Everyone looked up in surprise.
Nathaniel heard the church bell ring thirteen times-unmistakably a death knell!
An inexplicable panic suddenly gripped his heart.
The next moment, he heard the church announcement system activate.
“Today, a visitor from America has chosen to quietly depart from this world. Let us pray for her, may the Lord receive her soul into heaven.”
“Her name is Scarlett Chase.”
