Chapter 215

Dawn light crept across the horizon, painting the sky pale.

Stella Valentine glanced at her phone. 4:15 AM.

"It's time," she murmured.

Adrian Roland nodded, about to start the motorcycle when she caught his sleeve.

"Let's take one more wedding photo." Her voice was feather-soft.

Every girl dreams of her wedding portraits.

A white gown studded with pearls, its train billowing like clouds. The groom should wear a crisp white tuxedo with the tie she chose herself, waiting for her at the end of a flower path.

But reality—

Her skirt was smeared with dirt. His black trench coat damp with dew. Behind them, a weeping crabapple tree bloomed brilliantly, utterly out of place in a wedding scene.

Stella raised her phone. The screen framed their embrace.

Click.

"Let's go."

The motorcycle roared to life, crushing fallen petals beneath its wheels.

"Is this the backside of Mount Rainier?" She suddenly recognized the location.

"Yes. Tourists only come up the front trails."

"That crabapple tree must be twenty years old—"

Screeching brakes split the dawn.

The world spun as he shielded her with his body. They hit the ground hard. Darkness swam in her vision.

"Good morning, Miss Valentine."

An elderly man in a maroon tang suit sat in a wheelchair, idly rolling walnuts in his palm.

Stella forced her eyes open. Mr. Alistair's face was bloodied, his black coat saturated with crimson.

"An ambulance!" Her trembling hands found only shards of her shattered phone.

"Want to save him?" The old man's voice was calm.

Her pupils contracted. The timing. The location. That familiar stretch limousine...

"You're...Mr. Xavier?"

"Clever." He chuckled. "But too late for epiphanies."

She crawled to Mr. Alistair. His skin was ice-cold.

"What are your terms?" Her voice shook.

Mr. Xavier checked his watch. "The flight leaves soon. Take your time deciding—see how long he lasts."

"Grant."

Grant Rubenstein emerged from the car, leaning on a cane, half his face bandaged.

"This is the price of betrayal." Mr. Xavier sighed. "I've shown Adrian more mercy than he deserves."

The blood pool widened.

A familiar torn page from her diary appeared before her.

"Write him a letter," Mr. Xavier said. "One that will make him let go."

...

The airport intercom announced final boarding.

Charlie Macmillan held the twins while Grace Laurent scanned the crowd frantically. Spotting Stella, she waved desperately.

The limousine's tinted window lowered.

Mr. Alistair lay curled on the backseat, his face ashen, brows furrowed in pain.

"Remember your promise." Mr. Xavier's voice followed her. "If I can save him, I can destroy him again."

Stella wiped her tears and ran toward the gate without looking back.