Chapter 23
I emerged from the thousands of initial competitors, advanced to the semifinals, and then made it to the finals among hundreds.
In the spring of the following year, I won the championship.
Along with this triumph came another piece of news: the court’s divorce ruling.
I also received three properties in the city center, a villa in the countryside, and a luxury car.
I accepted them quietly.
This was what Elijah owed me.
On the day of the court ruling, I didn’t attend the hearing but entrusted it to my lawyer. I had no desire to see Elijah’s insincere face.
As the champion, I was in the spotlight for a media interview. Standing before the cameras, I spoke confidently about my journey.
Meanwhile, Liam waited for me backstage.
After the interview, I returned to find him holding a bouquet of sunflowers. “Ashie, congratulations…”
I took the flowers and smiled sweetly at him. “Thank you.”
I pulled out my phone and saw numerous unread messages.
Without looking, I knew who they were from.
At that moment, an unfamiliar number rang through.
Without checking, I knew who it was.
“Answer it,” Liam said.
I answered the call, and Elijah’s regretful voice came through. “Ashie, congratulations on winning the championship.”
“Thank you,” I replied coldly.
“I watched the live broadcast. You were amazing,” Elijah continued.
I merely responded with a faint, “Mm.”
“I…” he started.
I interrupted, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up.”
With that, I ended the call.
Overnight, I became a sensation. Many talent agencies reached out, and several directors offered me roles.
However, I made a decision that surprised everyone.
I chose to enroll in a music academy in Boston for further studies.
The night before leaving for Boston, Hallie found me.
With tears streaming down her face, she demanded, “We grew up together. Why does Elijah like you and not me?”
“Our bond was so close before.”
“Why did you have to steal Elijah from me?”
I didn’t answer.
I simply watched as she raged.
Her words grew more and more vicious, so I took out my hearing aid and let her continue.
After all, I could choose not to listen.
Hallie, realizing she was only making a fool of herself, left in anger.
The next morning, I arrived at the airport early. I had booked a business class seat, and just as I settled in, a man appeared beside me.
He was holding a bouquet of sunflowers.
The language of sunflowers is: silent love, unspoken affection.
It also symbolizes a passion for dreams and life.
After getting off the plane, I checked my phone.
It was filled with missed calls and unread messages.
There was also a headline on the city news:
“Terry Group President Crashes into River While · Speeding.”
I opened the article to find that Elijah had been speeding along the riverbank and ended up driving into the water. By the time he was rescued, he was barely conscious.
And… he was now deaf.
I wondered if this was poetic justice.
Curiously, I asked Liam next to me, “Are you here in Boston for business?”
He smiled gently and replied, “My sunflower has arrived in Boston.”
-The End –
I lost my memory.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
My last memory was from a year ago, during the happiest time with Norton.
He took great care of me, holding me and kissing me every night, his voice trembling.
‘Sweetie, please never remember.”
Later, I recalled everything.
The day I was kidnapped with his first love.
He chose to save her.
I endured great torment.