Fade with the Wind

"You're shooting this idea down, again? Jason, don't you want to just end this game quickly? We promise that no one's going to get killed! We'll wait until the very last moment when she can no longer hold it anymore, then we'll open the door."

Jason's tone remained icy. "No. It's risky. Nothing can happen to her."

Someone said, "Wait a second, Jason. I heard that you abandoned Felicity and ran after Ivy today! Felicity cried for an entire night, and you took a long time to console her.

"Then, to appease her, you told us to come up with the ninety-ninth round of revenge. Why are you being so picky now? Do you still remember who your true love is?

"Quickly break up with Ivy and return to Felicity. Didn't you always want that?"

Jason's breathing staggered. He wanted to retort when Felicity's voice came from the other end of the line.

"Jason, I heard what you all said. I'm asking you right now: I want you to do what they said on Ivy, as revenge. Do you agree or not?"

Jason was silent.

Felicity said with a catch in her throat, "You promised me you'd do anything for me!"

Jason finally said with a hoarse voice, "Alright, I'll agree. I'll do whatever you say."

Felicity chuckled in delight. His friends also said excitedly, "Alright! We can't wait for that day!"

Jason reminded them once more, "Make sure nothing serious will happen."

Ivy stood in the shadows. It felt as if some invisible hand was squeezing her heart tightly. It was so painful that she could not breathe.

She quietly returned to bed, picked up her phone, and sent a text.

…

On the day of their anniversary, Jason went according to plan and said to Ivy, "Ivy, I've prepared a surprise for you tonight. Close your eyes. I'll take you to a place."

Ivy quietly looked at him, holding her gaze for a long while before she eventually closed her eyes.

Jason smiled and blindfolded her with a piece of silk. Then, he led her to the car.

When they arrived, Jason led her inside the mansion and said softly, "Wait here for me. I'll go and get the gifts. I'll be back soon."

Ivy stood in the same spot, listening to Jason's footsteps getting further away.

Just as he was about to shut the door, Ivy suddenly called out to him, "You know, Jason, I really like you."

Jason stopped in his tracks, listening to Ivy.

"I've liked you for a very long time. When you agreed to be with me, I was over the moon and thought all my dreams had finally come true. That night, I couldn't even sleep. I was so excited I cried on my pillows the entire night. Pretty silly of me, huh?"

Jason said nothing, but his breathing quickened ever so slightly.

Ivy continued, "Today is our third anniversary. This is also the first time you prepared something for me. I'm really looking forward to it."

Jason's throat felt a little dry. A moment later, he said, "I'll be right back. Wait for me."

Then, he shut the door.

Ivy immediately took off her blindfold. Soon, she could smell gasoline in the air. She smirked and walked over to the corner of the wall.

Then, she dragged a fake body that she had prepared beforehand. After she overheard the phone call, she got a fake body custom-made according to her looks and height.

After the fire, everyone would think that it was her.

She placed a recorder on the table. She had recorded her voice asking for help.

"Well, Jason… Since you've fooled me ninety-eight times, the ninety-ninth will be my turn to fool you," Ivy gently said before playing the recording.

Soon, the entire mansion echoed with her voice. "Help! Open the door! Jason, help me!"

She turned and left through the back door without ever looking back. She hailed a taxi and headed straight to the airport.

In the distance, fire raged against the backdrop of the star-lit skies.