Chapter 8

Chapter 8

They held the kiss as long as the cheers lasted. The sight felt like a knife, slicing through my heart over and over, each cut deeper and bloodier than the last.

Standing there, I felt like the world’s biggest fool. I turned and stumbled out of the crowd, away from the parade. After four years together, Vincent and I had planned to celebrate every anniversary at Disneyland.

Now that we were finally here, it was nothing but disgrace and heartbreak. The intense pain felt like it was ripping through my chest, and I could barely walk steadily. I pressed my hand over my heart, trying to calm the suffocating ache.

Don’t cry. Not here, not at Disneyland. Today, I was going to be my own princess. I wandered around the park, taking in the sights as if bidding farewell to my youth.

Four years–just 1,460 days. After walking 14,600 steps through the castle, I forced myself to let go of that dead love. Then, I left the park and found a café to sit and rest. By 8:30 p.m., Vincent still hadn’t called.

But Alina had posted a new update:

“Disney’s fireworks are so romantic, and my boyfriend’s kiss is so gentle.”

The post included two photos: one of her kissing Vincent on the float and another of them forming a heart under the fireworks. Was this an official announcement?

I laughed softly, my voice hoarse, though tears pricked at my eyes. It didn’t matter. In a few days, I would leave this man I had loved with all my heart. At that moment, my phone rang. It was a message from my mother.

“Kaylee, I’ve arranged everything. We bought you a house where you’ll see the harbor every morning and breathe the freshest air in Italy. Your dad even bought a Feadship yacht as a gift for you.”

“From now on, we’ll give you all the love we missed out on for the past twenty years.” 

Reading her words, I felt my nose sting. “Thank you, Mom and Dad.”

I wasn’t unloved. I wasn’t unwanted.

Eveil my life with my adoptive parents had been lukewarm, I now had parents who truly cherished me. Mom sent me photos of the villa and yacht, along with an airport address.

“We’ll be waiting for you at the airport the day after tomorrow to fly home on a private jet.”

Outside, fireworks lit up the sky, illuminating my tear–streaked face. Kripped my phone tightly and replied, “Alright, see you then.”

In the parking lot, rows of streetlights cast my shadow, thin and lonely. By the time Vincent arrived, I’d been waiting by the car for a while.

“Kaylee, I’m sorry for making you wait…”

He approached quickly, reaching out to pull me into his arms. But I stepped back, evading his touch.

“I won’t wait for you anymore,” I said, my voice hoarse.