Left in Darkness

"They're not needed anymore. You can buy new ones later."

After all, he and Natelie would have plenty of new things once they got married.

Wendy threw the box away and headed back upstairs. Just as she reached the door, she heard Lucas speaking in a hushed tone.

"Don't worry, Nat. I'll make sure she comes to our engagement party."

A sweet, playful voice responded on the other end of the call, saying, "Hmph, I want to see her face when she realizes her boyfriend of two years is now my fiancé. She loves attention, doesn't she? I will make sure she gets plenty of it!"

Wendy tightened her grip uncontrollably.

She forced a stiff smile—as if their plan would fail next.

Sure enough, Lucas handed her an invitation when she went back in.

"Wendy, there's an event in seven days. Come with me, okay? You have to be there."

She looked at him for a long time before taking the card. Her voice was calm.

"Alright."

She prepared a gift for them even if she would not attend it.

Lucas did not return home for the next few days, using work as an excuse. Wendy took the time to pack her belongings.

Two days before she left, the university hosted a graduation party.

Although she had moved out of the dorms, she had a good relationship with her classmates. She wanted to bid farewell to them before she left for two years.

She had not expected to see Natelie and Lucas there.

Natelie held onto Lucas' arm, a bright, innocent smile on her face.

"I heard you're graduating today, Wendy. I gave your boyfriend the day off to celebrate with you!"

Wendy knew well of Natelie's intentions. She took a step back and kept some distance between them.

Natelie, pretending not to notice, moved even closer.

Wendy did not realize she was standing near a champagne tower.

Natelie's eyes flickered before she suddenly gasped and lunged toward Wendy.

Wendy stepped back on instinct, and her elbow hit the table.

The champagne tower collapsed instantly.

The glasses shattered, and golden liquid spilled everywhere.

Without thinking, Lucas shielded Natelie.

Wendy crashed to the ground.

Glass shards pierced her skin. The floor was a mixture of her blood and champagne.

The alcohol seeped into the wound on her abdomen, fresh blood oozing from the barely healed incision.

Her face turned deathly pale.

Through blurred vision, she saw Lucas carefully inspecting Natelie for injuries. His hands trembled as he checked her arms and shoulders.

For a moment, she saw the Lucas from two years ago—the one who used to stand in front of her.

She tried to reach out to Lucas with her shaking hands. However, before she could do so, her strength gave out. Her arm fell limply to the ground.