Chapter 7

It wasn't until the next day that Benedict returned with Rowena by his side. Rowena was still wearing a light-up concert headband, her face glowing with joy. Benedict, meanwhile, walked over to Minerva and laid several different styles of wedding invitations on the table in front of her. "Take a look. See if there's any you like." Minerva didn't answer right away. Instead, she picked one up and turned to Rowena. "How about this one? Do you like it?" Rowena blinked, confused by the question, but she instinctively nodded. "Yeah, I do." Minerva gave a quiet hum, then handed that invitation to Benedict. "This one, then." Benedict didn't take it. He just stared at her, his eyes narrowing. Why did she always ask Rowena? The dress, the ring, the shoes, the venue, and now… even the invitations. Every decision and detail, Minerva ran them all by Rowena, like she was the real bride and Minerva was preparing to hand everything over. The thought flickered in his mind, but he pushed it away immediately. Minerva loved him too much. There was no way she would simply give him up to someone else. Once the invitation design was chosen, Minerva offered to write the cards herself. When asked why, she said calmly, "A wedding only happens once in a lifetime. It'll mean more if I write them by hand." "There are over 3,000 invites. Are you sure?" Benedict was beginning to feel like he didn't recognize her anymore. "I'm sure." That night, Minerva sat at her desk, writing one invitation after another, letter by letter. The invitation text had already been printed. All she needed to do was fill in the names of the guests and the names of the bride and groom. Her expression was calm and focused. She carefully wrote Benedict's name in the groom's section and, without hesitation, wrote Rowena's name as the bride. In her past life, she had done the same thing, handwriting each invitation one by one. She had been filled with hope as she imagined a happy married life with Benedict. But after the wedding, she realized only bitterness awaited her. Benedict spent most of his time with Rowena. All it took was one call from her, and he would drop everything without hesitation—no matter where he was or what he was doing. Even at home, he was always on the phone with her. Minerva had argued and fought with him, but he always shut her down with the same line, "She's just like a sister to me." She hadn't understood. If he didn't love her, why marry her at all? It wasn't until the very end of her life, when she found the love letter he had written to Rowena, that the truth finally became clear. All the heartbreak and unanswered questions… Now, in this life, she was cutting the cord with her own hands. … Three days before the wedding, Minerva and Benedict boarded the cruise ship for one final rehearsal before the ceremony. In the past, she always rehearsed with Benedict alone, but this time, she had personally invited Rowena to join them. After the rehearsal, Minerva stepped out onto the deck to feel the sea breeze. Unfortunately, the weather had turned. The skies were gray, and the ocean looked ominous and heavy. Minerva had always disliked this kind of weather. She was just about to head back inside when Rowena's voice rang out behind her. "Minerva, what the hell are you up to lately? Why did you even invite me to the wedding rehearsal? Don't tell me you're not afraid I'll steal Benedict?" Minerva gave a faint smile. "Steal him? Do you even need to? He's already yours." Rowena frowned. The more she listened, the more off it sounded. She grabbed Minerva's arm, demanding an explanation. Minerva tried to pull away, her brows furrowed, but just then, the weather took a violent turn. A sudden, howling wind swept across the deck. Towering waves slammed against the cruise ship with terrifying force. Neither of them had time to steady themselves. In the chaos of their struggle, they both went overboard.