Chapter 5

The ward fell into silence when the call ended. Kaelis leaned against the headboard, staring blankly at the darkening sky outside the window. Her pale face and eyes, long since dried of tears, were reflected in the window. Suddenly, her phone buzzed. Garrick's name on the screen was an eyesore to her. "The line was busy just now." His voice came from the other end of the phone, casual yet edged with suspicion. "Who were you talking to?" Kaelis unconsciously tightened the grip at the edge of the blanket. Her reply was barely audible. "No one." There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. Garrick didn't seem to be bothered by her answer and asked, "How's your condition?" "I'm fine now." "Good." He sounded relieved, as if he had just checked off a duty. "Lyra still needs me here. I won't drop by today." She said nothing and just quietly ended the call. She looked down at the faint bruises where the IV needle had pierced her hand before slowly closing her eyes. She was discharged after a week in the hospital. She began packing her belongings back at the villa. With slow movements, she folded each piece of clothing neatly as if bidding a silent farewell. The room door was suddenly opened from the outside. Garrick stood at the door and frowned slightly. "Why are you suddenly packing?" "The season's changing," She said calmly without looking up. "I'm just tidying things up." His eyes lingered on the suitcase momentarily, but he didn't feel suspicious. "You can leave it to the household staff." Garrick left the house early and returned home late for the next two days. He barely crossed paths with Kaelis until his assistant, Tyler Smith, stopped by to deliver documents one afternoon. Tyler looked at her folding clothes and said, "Mrs. Ironvale, Mr. Ironvale has been planning your birthday banquet these days. He must be preparing a surprise for you." Another household staff member chimed in, "That's right, Mrs. Ironvale. Mr. Ironvale still cares for you. Ms. Fenvale's just a passing fancy. Men always return to their families in the end." Kaelis' hands paused before resuming her folding in silence. She looked at the nearly empty wardrobe. She would no longer be waiting for him here when he decided to return to his family. On her birthday, Garrick sent someone to escort her onto a cruise ship. "Ms. Windryn, you're here." Lyra walked toward her in a white dress and smiled sweetly. "What a coincidence. We even share the same birthday. Garrick suggested that we celebrate together. Honestly, I should thank you for letting me bask in your good fortune." Yet, it took only one glance at the deck for Kaelis to see the truth. It was adorned with flowers and ribbons. The decorations were unmistakably to Lyra's taste. There were no pink roses or white baby's breath, and those delicate ribbons weren't things Kaelis liked. It was clear who was basking in whose fortune. She recognized the provocation behind Lyra's words, but she no longer cared. Her lips curled faintly, but her expression was calm. The host suddenly raised his voice midway through the banquet. "Now, let's welcome Mr. Ironvale to present birthday gifts to the two ladies!" The deck lights dimmed. A spotlight fell on Garrick as he strode confidently onto the stage and took an ornate velvet box from an attendant. "This is Tears of the Stars." He gently opened the box. The diamond flared with dazzling brilliance under the lights. "For my girl, Lyra." The crowd suddenly erupted in gasps. Someone murmured, "Isn't that the finale piece from last month's auction? I heard it went for an astronomical price…" Lyra covered her mouth. Her eyes reddened, as though she might burst out crying from joy. Garrick gently put on the necklace for her before lowering his head to kiss her tenderly on the forehead. The attendant handed Kaelis a plain paper bag when it was her turn. She calmly took out a scarf from the paper bag. Its texture was rough, and its edges were frayed. It was clearly nothing more than a freebie from the necklace purchase.