Chapter 11
In a daze, I heard voices nearby. “How much time does she have left?”
“Probably just a few days, Mr. Cooper. Prepare yourself.”
My mind was clear, but I couldn’t summon the strength to open my eyes. I felt something yet and cool on my cheek, as if it were raining. Later, I realized it wasn’t rain–it was his
tears.
Perhaps it was a moment of clarity before the end, but I felt much better today. Zachary asked if I wanted to go out and see some flowers. I shook my head and said, “If you can, bring me a bouquet of gardenias.”
That year, the boy I loved picked a bundle of gardenias and placed them on my windowsill. When I opened the window, he smiled and said, “Camila, I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?” I would say yes every time, no matter how many times I had to choose.
While Zachary was out getting the flowers, Gianna came to the hospital. She no longer had the proud, condescending attitude she’d once used to humiliate me. Instead, she sat quietly by my bed, speaking slowly, “From the first time I saw you, I knew he’d fallen for when he was by my side, his eyes always followed you.”
you. Even
“That day I pushed you into the water, I’d never seen him look so panicked, so lost. He jumped in without a second thought to save you.”
“I gave him up for my career, and he gave me up for you. The living can never compete with the dead. You’ve won completely.”
“Have you said enough?” I interrupted impatiently. “I never cared about any of this. You and he are the same, showing a facade of devotion but colder than anyone deep down. I’ll never forget how you humiliated me, Miss Gianna. Please, don’t show up in front of me again before I die.”
Since childhood, Zack had said I was petty and held grudges, never forgetting anyone who wronged me.
After Gianna left, Zachary came in, his face tense, clutching my hand as if he couldn’t let go.
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
In a daze, I heard voices nearby. “How much time does she have left?”
“Probably just a few days, Mr. Cooper. Prepare yourself.”
My mind was clear, but I couldn’t summon the strength to open my eyes. I felt something
et and cool on my cheek, as if it were raining. Later, I realized it wasn’t rain—it was his
tears.
Perhaps it was a moment of clarity before the end, but I felt much better today. Zachary
asked if I wanted to go out and see some flowers. I shook my head and said, “If you can, bring me a bouquet of gardenias.”
That year, the boy I loved picked a bundle of gardenias and placed them on my windowsill. When I opened the window, he smiled and said, “Camila, I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?” I would say yes every time, no matter how many times I had to choose.
While Zachary was out getting the flowers, Gianna came to the hospital. She no longer had the proud, condescending attitude she’d once used to humiliate me. Instead, she sat quietly by my bed, speaking slowly, “From the first time I saw you, I knew he’d fallen for you. Even when he was by my side, his eyes always followed you.”
“That day I pushed you into the water, I’d never seen him look so panicked, so lost. He jumped in without a second thought to save you.”
“I gave him up for my career, and he gave me up for you. The living can never compete with the dead. You’ve won completely.”
“Have you said enough?” I interrupted impatiently. “I never cared about any of this. You and he are the same, showing a facade of devotion but colder than anyone deep down. I’ll never forget how you humiliated me, Miss Gianna. Please, don’t show up in front of me again before I die.”
Since childhood, Zack had said I was petty and held grudges, never forgetting anyone who wronged me.
After Gianna left, Zachary came in, his face tense, clutching my hand as if he couldn’t let go.
1433
Fake Wedding. True Pa
Did Gianna say something to you just now? I’ve already made things clear with her. You’re the only one in my heart now.”
“It doesn’t concern me.” I pulled my hand free, not sparing him a second glance.
His hand hung in the air, his gaze dimming. In a hoarse voice, he said, “Actually, you and Gianna aren’t that much alike. I’m only now realizing that keeping you around as a stand–in was an excuse. I’d already fallen in love with you.”
Kistened
listened to his confession without a single stir of emotion. I didn’t love him, so it didn’t
matter.
“Did you ever love me?” he asked, eyes full of hope as he awaited my answer.
My gaze was as calm as ever. “Never.”
I watched the light in his eyes slowly go out as he knelt at my bedside, crying uncontrollably.
The day I died was beautiful, bright and sunny, just like the summer when Zack left. Strangely, even though it was summer, Zachary’s hair was streaked with gray.
In the end, he asked if I had any last wishes he could fulfill for me.
I had only one–scatter my ashes in the sea. That’s where my love is. I’m going to find him.
14:33
