Her Homecoming Is Our Farewell

A week later, Yuliana attended her college friend Bella Harper's wedding as a bridesmaid.

Everyone from their department had been invited, including Charlie.

As usual, he was the center of attention, surrounded by a crowd of old classmates. But the moment he spotted her, he immediately broke away and made his way over.

"That bridesmaid dress really suits you," he said.

Yuliana gave a faint smile in response.

The surrounding crowd cast strange, sideways glances their way as they stood together.

Yuliana knew it was all because of her. To their old classmates, she was a social climber who had only married Charlie for the Zimmer family fortune. They looked down on her for it, but she didn't care about their malicious assumptions.

Instead, she focused all her energy on ensuring Bella had a perfect wedding.

Finally, the ceremony reached its finale, and it was time for the bouquet toss. While every other woman hoped to catch that symbol of happiness, Yuliana remained still.

She had no interest in joining the fray. A woman who was about to be divorced had no reason to chase a symbol of marital bliss.

But then, Bella turned around, her eyes shimmering with tears as she looked at Yuliana.

She took the microphone and announced, "I'd like to give this bouquet to my best friend from college, Yuliana."

Yuliana's heart clenched at the sound of her name. A sudden, heavy hush fell over the entire hall.

"Traditionally, the bouquet is meant for an unmarried woman, but it represents so much more than just marriage—it represents happiness. As my best friend, I want to pass this happiness on to you."

Bella glanced at Yuliana and went on, "And I want to congratulate you for finally being able to stand beside the man you've loved in secret for so many years."

Charlie, who had worn an impassive expression the entire time, finally showed a flicker of a reaction.

"Others may not know, but I know exactly how much you've given over the years. You fell for Charlie when you were 19 years old. Even though he didn't know, and even though you were sure it was a love that would never be returned, you still chose to love him quietly.

"I once asked you why you refused to give up, even knowing your secret love might lead to a dead end. You told me it was simply because you loved him.

"You loved the way he shone under the spotlight. You loved how he instinctively shielded you from a flying basketball in the evening breeze. You even loved his sincere, polite grace when he turned others down.

"I saw you burn the midnight oil studying just to qualify for a competition he was in. I saw you brave a storm to buy him medicine when he was sick, only to secretly slip it into his desk drawer. I've seen your diaries filled with his name and the 999 love letters you wrote for him."

Bella paused, choking back a sob. "You once told me that love is the most magical thing in the world. Watching you persist so wholeheartedly is what gave me the courage to pursue my own happiness.

"I'm giving you this bouquet today because I hope you and Charlie will be happy forever, my dear best friend."

When she finished, the hall fell into pin-drop silence, and Charlie stiffened all over.

He couldn't help but think back to their wedding, a day too painful to remember. He saw her again, rising without hesitation amid the gasps of the crowd and walking toward him with unwavering resolve.

Only now did he realize that Yuliana hadn't chosen him to cling to power or status. She truly loved him, and she had loved him for a long time.

A ripple suddenly stirred in the stagnant pool of his heart.

As the wedding wound down, Charlie sought out Yuliana, desperate for answers. But before he could utter a word, a call from Alyssa came through.

"Charlie…" she sobbed. "I was having dinner and accidentally spilled some juice on the people at the next table. Now they won't let me go. They've even called reinforcements, trying to force me to go to a hotel with them."

Before she could finish, Charlie's expression darkened instantly. He hung up and jumped into his car, flooring the gas and racing through countless red lights.

The moment he saw the men in the restaurant, the anger he had been holding back snapped. He charged in and swung his fist at them.

He seemed to lose all reason, raining down such brutal, vengeful blows that several of the men began coughing up blood.

Alyssa hid behind him, clutching his shirt and wailing that one of the men had kissed her.

Hearing that, Charlie pinned the man against the wall and delivered more than a dozen hard slaps to his face. Even when blood began pouring from the man's mouth, he refused to let up.

The onlookers were paralyzed with fear. They didn't dare to speak, and only a few had the mind to quietly call the police.

Charlie grabbed a bottle opener from a nearby table and used it to wrench a tooth right out of the man's jaw.

By the time Yuliana arrived, the restaurant was a scene of carnage. Thugs lay scattered across the floor, and among them, a blonde man had been beaten until his face was swollen and his mouth was a bloody mess.

She froze in shock. When she looked up, she saw Charlie shielding Alyssa, leading her away. The man who had been ruthless moments ago now wore a look of pure tenderness, murmuring soft comforts as he held Alyssa close.

It was a tenderness Yuliana had never known.

She lowered her eyes, forcing back the emotions welling up inside her, and let out a self-mocking smile. Realizing she was only in the way, she turned and quietly went home.

It was nearly midnight when Charlie finally returned from giving his statement at the police station.

Yuliana was already in bed, her back to him.

Charlie knew she wasn't asleep. He sat on the edge of the mattress, the weight of him making the bed sink.

"Yuliana… There were so many people there," he explained. "Regarding Alyssa… I couldn't just stand by and do nothing."

Yuliana only gave a soft, noncommittal hum while her eyes remained closed.

Just then, her phone lit up on the nightstand with a chime. Charlie caught a glimpse of the screen, and his expression shifted.

"Yuliana, why is the court sending you a message?" he asked, his voice sharp.