Her soft words hit Lysander like a sledgehammer in the heart.
But within seconds, his composure returned. “Leaving? Where are your going on vacation this time?
Natier froze, unable to suppress a batter realization.
After all these years by his side, he had never once considered the possibility the might actually leave him. That’s why, even when she spoke her truth, he automatically assumed she was just planning smother trip,
She parted her lips to speak, hut Lysander et her off, dismissing her words entirely. “Skip the travel plans for in a few days the the anniversary of my first meeting with Ophelia. Im throwing a banquet. You can handle the preparations”
Navier said nothing more, just nodded, “Got It.”
For days, she busied herself with the event.
The gala was extravagant–white lilies, Ophelia’s favorite flower in life, adorned the entire venue. Under the dazzling lights, the scene looked like something from a dream.
Amid the clinking glasses and mingling guests, snippets of conversation reached her ears.
Lysander is really something, bah? It’s been years, he still can’t forget Ophelia. Throwing a whole damn banquet just to celebrate the day they met, even though she’s gone the power of a first love is something else entirely.”
Right? And his wife? God. I don’t know i how she puns up with it. She even planned the whole thing herself. No way in hell I’d be able to do that because
of love.”
Love? Perhaps once upon a time.
As she reached for a glass of wine, she spotted Lysander placing an elegantly wrapped gift box before (
Then, his friends approached.
Ophelia’s framed photograph
“Man, you’re really pushing it this time. Look, we all get it–Ophelia was special. But you’ve got a wife who’s spent years loving you. What if she finally decides she’s had enough?
Lysander gave a soft laugh, his tone tinged with disdain and self–ayurance. “Anyone else might leave me, but she won’t
Navier’s fingers trembled slightly, ripples forming in her wine.
She lowered her head, a bitter smile tugging at her lips
Lysander, this time, you’re dead wrong
After the banquet ended, they returned home, only to discover flames engulfed the villa. Smoke billowed into the night sky, painting the horizon in a sickly orange glow.
Lysander’s face turned ashen. He flung the car door open and rushed toward the burning building without hesitation.
Navier instinctively grabbed him. “Are you crazy? Wait for the firefighters
But Lysander shoved her away, his eyes wild with desperation. “If I wait, all of Ophelia’s things will be
gone!
Navier stumbled backward from the force, her knees slamming against the pavement, reopening her wounds. Blood trickled down her leg.
She looked up at Lysander’s back as he raced into the inferna. “They’re just material objects. Are they really worth more than your lie?”
Lysander paused briefly but didn’t turn back.
is voice was cold and resolute. “Yes, She’s gone–those things are my life now.”
Watching him charge into the flames, Navier laughed out loud, making no further attempt to stop him.
The the prew more Intense, the smoke nearly suffern ing.
Lysander’s silhouette appeared and disappeared in the fiery glow as he desperately salvaged everything connected to Ophelia as (bout | more to him than his own survival.
Finally, he emerged from the blaze, arms full of rescueil possessions.
His clothes were burned to tatters, his body covered in injuries, yet he still clutched Ophelia’s belongings tightly to his chest.
His eyes held a glimmer of satisfaction, as if he’d accomplished something vital to his existence..
