The moment the cruel words left her tongue, Vionnet’s wrist flicked–her blade almost plunging straight into Xanthe’s neck.
But in that split second, just as disaster struck, a gunshot cracked through the air–the bullet went through Vionnet’s head.
She was dead. But her eyes remained wide open in disbelief.
While she collapsed to the ground, Xanthe stood frozen, her face splattered with blood. Shocked beyond words, she couldn’t even scream.
The groom rushed to her side, wrapping her tightly in his arms.
“Xanthe. Xanthe,” he murmured, “it’s over. Don’t be afraid. You’re safe now.”
He had anticipated something might go wrong at the wedding, which was why he had stationed snipers in advance.
But snipers needed time to get into position. Trevor had been stalling for exactly that
reason.
Fortunately, the shot came at the critical moment.
Still, the damage had been done–what was supposed to be a grand and joyous wedding of the century ended in a tragedy.
Vionnet’s intrusion traumatized the bride so badly that she fainted and remained in the hospital for a full week before finally waking up.
But when she did, she had lost part of her memory. More precisely, she suffered from
selective amnesia.
She remembered everyone in her life… except her ex–husband and her ex–best friend.
The doctors said it was likely trauma–induced, a psychological defense mechanism blocking out the most painful memories.
“Maybe it’s for the best,” her parents thought, forbidding anyone around their daughter from ever mentioning those two names again.
Meanwhile, in Springfield, under pressure from the W Industries, BMC Global had officially declared bankruptcy.
One by one, business partners pulled out of deals, leaving the BMC Global buried in breach–of–contract penalties. Barrington himself was now facing possible criminal
charges.
It didn’t take long before everything of value in his company had been seized and auctioned off to repay debts.
In his empty office, the CEO sat by the floor–to–ceiling window. As he was staring blankly in the direction of Chicago, a strange smile appeared on his face.
When the assistant walked in, he saw tears glistening at the corners of his boss’s eyes. “President Connolly,” he said quietly, setting a letter at his feet, “here’s my resignation.”
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Everyone else had already left. Only the assistant had stayed with him till the very end. Barrington gave a faint, tired smile. “Go. It’s alright. Everyone’s gone. You should leave too.” The assistant sighed deeply, then replied with the same respect in his voice. “Thank you for everything you’ve taught me over the years, sir. I wouldn’t be who I am today without you.
“I was there from the beginning. I saw everything that happened between you and Ma’am Xanthe. Before I leave, I just want to say one last thing.
“Ma’am Xanthe truly loved you–once. And now, she truly wants to forget you.
“The truth is, you both loved each other. But you were never in love at the same time.
“Let the past stay in the past, sir. Life moves forward. I hope one day, you can too.”
With that, he turned and walked out, leaving Barrington alone in the vast office that no longer looked like it belonged to a CEO.
He sat in silence for a long time, lost in thought.
And slowly, the pieces fell into place.
The assistant had been right. Barrington and Xanthe had both loved each other–but never in sync. Their timing had always been off.
Suddenly, he felt like everyone had seen right through him.
Vionnet had known he was a coward, someone who’d never risk his life for Xanthe.
Xanthe had known he was unfaithful–always chasing after something else even while holding on to her.
Even the company’s shareholders had known he wasn’t really capable. Much of BMC Global’s early success had been because of Xanthe.
At last, he understood why he had lost everything.
‘A man like me… How can I ever deserve Xanthe’s love?‘
Slowly, he stood up and looked out the window again, smiling faintly in the direction of where his ex belonged now.
In Chicago, Xanthe had been discharged from the hospital, though she still suffered from headaches on rainy days.
She used to love the ocean. But now, even the sight of seawater filled her with dread, so Trevor no longer dared take her to the beach.
After the first wedding was ruined, they quietly arranged a new one–this time, at a hotel.
Surrounded by friends and family offering warm congratulations, Xanthe walked slowly down the aisle toward Trevor.
The proud heir of the Michelsons knelt before her in front of everyone and asked, almost in tears, “Xanthe Wentworth, are you willing to spend the rest of your life as my wife?”
As she looked at him, she felt a strange sense of déjà vu and a dull ache that stirred in her head.
Just as she was about to respond, the doors of the venue were flung open, revealing a few
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uniformed police officers.
“Ma’am,” one of them said gravely, “we’ve received an urgent call. Your ex–husband Mr. Connolly attempted suicide by jumping from his company building in Springfield. He was resuscitated, but he doesn’t have much time. He requests to speak to you–just once- before the end.”
The mood in the room dropped instantly.
Under everyone’s expectant gaze, Xanthe frowned. Flashes of disjointed memories began to flicker behind her eyes.
She clutched her head, trembling, pounding her fists against her temples as if trying to chase the images away.
Trevor’s heart ached at the sight. He couldn’t help but gently take her hand. “Don’t,” he whispered. “If you can’t remember, don’t force it.”
He turned to the officers. “Officers, whatever happened to that man has nothing to do with my bride. Today is our wedding. If you’re here to join the celebration, you’re welcome. But if it’s about anything else, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
Gesturing his hand to the security, he ordered, “Somebody show them out please.”
Just as the officers were about to be escorted out, Xanthe’s body tensed.
Her eyes widened–her lost memories came rushing back to her.
In her mind echoed his ex’s once–sincere words.
“Let’s build a good life together, Xanthe.”
“Wait!” she called out, getting the officers‘ attention.
All eyes turned to her–including Trevor, whose palms were now slick with sweat. “Please tell him,” she said slowly, clearly, “that from this life onward, there is nothing between us. There’s no need for us to meet ever again.”
The officers exchanged glances before nodding in unison. “Got it, ma’am.”
When Xanthe turned back to her groom, a smile bloomed on her face.
“Yes, Trevor Michelson, I’m willing to spend the rest of my life as your wife.” Her face glowed with a sweet smile she never had in years as she promised, “This time, let’s never be apart again.”
Trevor’s lips quivered as he smiled too, tears shimmering at the corners of his eyes as he pulled his wife into a tight embrace.
She hugged him back just as tightly, her eyes gazing into the distance as she whispered in her heart.
‘Barrington, do you see this? This is my goodbye. And this is forever. Let’s not meet again- even in another universe.‘
