Chapter 6

Chase let out a self-deprecating laugh, his voice unusually calm as he said, "That wasn't fake blood." Serena was silent for a moment, then snapped, "Are you ever going to stop? Martha from the kitchen had already said it was fake blood. "She cooks every single day, so don't you think she'd know? I'm changing the locks. Don't come back. Go wherever you want." Chase interrupted, "Wait." Serena said, "It's too late to apologize..." Chase cut her off for the first time. "I'll come back today to pack my things. You don't need to change the locks. I won't be coming back." Serena fell silent again before letting out a cold laugh. "I'm only giving you one day." She hung up without another word. Andrew quickly said, "Mr. Hutchinson, you're seriously ill. You can't be discharged yet. Should I pack for you?" Chase shook his head. "You don't know what I need to take." More accurately, what he needed to dispose of. He pulled out his IV and went home to gather all his belongings. Everything that could be burned, he burned. Everything else he packed away—the watch she'd given him for his birthday, the pen for their engagement anniversary, and all the belts, cologne, and other gifts Serena had given him over the years. Finally, there were the gifts he had given Serena. She was always losing things. After they moved in together, she entrusted him with keeping her important items safe as well. Chase packed up the commemorative photo album he'd spent so much effort creating for Serena, the preserved flowers he'd had custom-made for her, and the pendant necklace he'd crafted by hand. Once everything was cleaned out, there would be no trace of him left in this house where he'd lived for five years. He left with his packed belongings. He casually gave away those memories that had once meant everything to him to a homeless man on the street. He was about to drive back to the hospital when he received a phone call. "Mr. Hutchinson, the wedding rings you commissioned from our shop are ready. Do you have time to come take a look, or should we deliver them to you?" He and Serena had originally planned to set a wedding date and get married this year. He had eagerly worked with the designer to finalize the ring designs and sent them to an overseas company for custom handcrafting. However, before he could even pick up the rings, Lucian had returned. Chase figured they were just a meaningless pair of rings now, so there was no need to trouble the staff with a delivery. He drove to collect the rings and headed toward the hospital through the night. Suddenly, brilliant fireworks burst across the sky, drawing countless people to stop and watch. Serena's face appeared on the large screen of a shopping mall he passed. She held an open red velvet ring box in both hands, her expression reverent. "Lucian, fate kept us apart for so many years, but we've finally found each other again. Tonight, I've lit up the entire city with fireworks for you. Will you accept this ring and give me a chance? "I know you want to acquire SC Corp's patents, and I promise I'll get them for you. When I do, will you grant me one request?" Passersby were screaming over this romantic scene. SC Corp was the company that Chase had started two years ago. There was a time when he would have given Serena anything she asked for. Now... Chase laughed bitterly to himself. As his car crossed the river bridge, he casually tossed the wedding rings he'd spent so much effort and money commissioning into the rushing waters below. He was about to leave Beltoni and exit Serena's life forever.