Alex felt rather uncomfortable in the speeding car.

He kept turning around to check if Gabriella had followed up. He frowned when he set his sight on the gift box.

How late was she going to be that she had asked him to deliver her gift instead?

Was she really taking this long just to change and put on makeup?

He tried to recall how much time she usually spent getting ready before they went out. If she had never taken long before, maybe she was deliberately stalling this time, avoiding an apology she didn't want to offer.

And he'd never let that happen.

Still, he could barely recall the times she put on makeup in their six years of marriage. Maybe Lucas was right—Gabriella didn't have time for that because she cooked and took care of the family all day.

Or she could just dislike makeup in general. As such, he couldn't recall how much time she usually spent on makeup.

When the car 

Soon, it was time for gift exchange. One after another, expensive gifts were presented before Melody, satisfying her vanity. 

When it was Alex's turn, he deliberated before handing over Gabriella's gift.

"This is from Gabriella. She says you must play it at your party. Check out her gift before mine."

He opened the box. A tiny USB drive rested inside. He pulled it out and handed it to the maid to be played.

Melody did not protest. She was curious about Gabriella's next move in this situation.

Head held high with a faint hint of disdain, she watched the screen in the middle of the hall lit up, attracting all the guests' attention.

As they waited patiently for the video to load, everyone including Melody was curious about the video that Gabriella wanted to play at the birthday party of Alex's true love. Gabriella had clung to Alex for six years now.

Would the video be about the lovi

Melody nodded shyly. Beside her, Lucas tugged at her dress and held up a delicate lavender wreath.

"Aunt Mel, I spent so long picking the best lavender buds to weave this for you. It's for you!"

Gabriella watched the video in silence. When it ended, she walked around the house, gathering every gift she had ever given Alex and Lucas.

Dust had settled thickly over them, some still in their original packaging, never even opened.

She threw them all into the fire and watched as the flames consumed them.

One day before her departure, Gabriella received a third video.

In it, Alex and Lucas were at an auction with Melody, spending lavishly on her. No matter how expensive the item was, if Melody so much as showed interest, Alex would bid without hesitation.

The moment she frowned, Lucas was immediately at her side, warming her hands and offering her fruit.

All their attention belonged to her.

Gabriella closed the video without a flicker of emotion, and then headed out to finalize her divorce. When she returned, she erased every trace of herself from the house.

On departure day, Gabriella packed her belongings. Just as she was about to leave, Alex and Lucas suddenly returned home.

The first thing they did was demand an apology.

"Today is Mel's birthday. You slapped her last time. You should go and apologize," Alex said.

Gabriella stood motionless, her expression calm as she looked at them. For some reason, Alex and Lucas felt their hearts quickening in a way they couldn't explain.

"You were in the wrong. Shouldn't you apologize?"

The moment Alex spoke, Lucas clung to his hand like he had found his pillar of support. "That's right! You hit Aunt Mel, so you should say sorry!"

Gabriella still said nothing, only watching them.

Just when they thought she would keep up her stubborn silence, she suddenly turned away.

"Got it. You two go ahead first."

Alex paused for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly. "You're not coming with us?"

"It's a birthday party. I need to change and put on some makeup. You hate waiting, don't you? Besides, it's Melody's birthday. She'd want you there from the start."

Her tone was indifferent, and her reasoning was clear. Alex found himself at a loss for words.

Lucas shot her a glare, displeased. "You stay home all day. What's the point of putting on makeup?"

Gabriella's steps faltered. Her gaze dimmed briefly before she looked straight at him and said, "To cover the handprint you left on my face."

For an instant, guilt flickered across Lucas' expression. He fell silent. Frustrated at being called out, he grabbed Alex's hand and was about to leave when Gabriella's voice rang out again.

They turned around to see her handing them a gift box.

"This is my present for Melody. When it's time to hand out gifts, be sure to play it for everyone."

Inside was the hospital surveillance footage.

Since they refused to watch it, she would let everyone else see.

Alex didn't understand her insistence, but he nodded and took the gift anyway.

With that, the two turned to leave.

"Lucas."

When Lucas turned around in annoyance, she simply said, "Goodbye."

Then, she looked at Alex and said the same. "Goodbye, Alex."

Alex looked back. Gabriella stood under the light, her face shadowed and her expression unreadable. Nevertheless, he could see the faintest trace of a smile on her face.

He was somewhat dumbfounded.

When had she become so thin, as if a single breeze could carry her away?

Carry her away from the Palmer family. Maybe even… away from his world.

But in the next moment, he dismissed the thought.

Gabriella loved him too much to leave. For six whole years, she had stayed through everything. No matter who came and went, she never left.

Suppressing the inexplicable unease rising in his chest, Alex shook off the thought, nodded, and left with Lucas, carrying the gift box with them.

Only after watching them walk out the front door did Gabriella return to her room. She grabbed her suitcase and left the house as well.

At the curb, she hailed a cab and then gave the driver an address.

The car started, speeding off in the exact opposite direction of Melody's home.

Alex. Lucas. Goodbye.

And this time, it was forever.

Alex felt rather uncomfortable in the speeding car.

He kept turning around to check if Gabriella had followed up. He frowned when he set his sight on the gift box.

How late was she going to be that she had asked him to deliver her gift instead?

Was she really taking this long just to change and put on makeup?

He tried to recall how much time she usually spent getting ready before they went out. If she had never taken long before, maybe she was deliberately stalling this time, avoiding an apology she didn't want to offer.

And he'd never let that happen.

Still, he could barely recall the times she put on makeup in their six years of marriage. Maybe Lucas was right—Gabriella didn't have time for that because she cooked and took care of the family all day.

Or she could just dislike makeup in general. As such, he couldn't recall how much time she usually spent on makeup.

When the car came to a stop, Lucas waited for a bit, but Alex did not budge. So, he opened the car door and hoppe

Chapter 9