Once Upon a Story of Us

It was the early hours of the morning when Evelyn finally dragged her exhausted body home.

The moment she turned on the lights, her phone buzzed several times.

It was a message from Rebecca.

"You've been liking all my social media posts, so you must already know that Matteo and I are legally married, right? He also promised me a wedding in Mauwai. I saw the venue plans. It's absolutely grand.

"Every single detail is exactly what we used to dream about when we were younger. I can't believe he still remembers after all these years.

"I should also thank you. If it weren't for you, Matteo wouldn't have regained his sight. Really, I owe you for taking care of my husband for seven whole years."

Reading the blatant mockery, Evelyn didn't even have the energy to be angry anymore.

She went straight to her bedroom, lay down, and fell into a deep sleep.

That night, Matteo still didn't come home. The only thing he sent was a text message.

"Eve, I still have some things to take care of. Is your injury serious? If it hurts too much, let me know, and I'll come back right away."

Evelyn stared at the words on the screen, her eyes flickering with emotion. After a long moment, she finally typed out a short reply. "Don't bother."

"Matteo, from now on, I won't need you anymore," she thought to herself.

Once the wound on her shoulder had scabbed over, Evelyn returned alone to the Gallagher family's old estate.

Back when Matteo was blind, this was where they had lived together, just the two of them.

She grabbed a shovel and walked to the lush peach tree in the yard.

Beneath it, buried deep in the soil, was the time capsule they had made together on Matteo's 18th birthday.

She dug it up.

The metal box was rusted, and condensation had formed inside the sealed glass jar.

She pulled out the folded paper stars one by one, unfolding them carefully. The first note revealed her own handwriting.

"I wish for Matteo to see the world again. I wish Matteo a safe and happy life. I wish to always stay by Matteo's side."

Every single wish had been about him. Some had come true.

Some would never come true, not in this lifetime.

Next, she unfolded the other note. It was Matteo's wish.

"I wish to regain my sight. I wish for Becky to be well."

Every word was about him and Rebecca. Not a single one about her.

So that was the truth. He had never resented Rebecca for leaving him. He had willingly taken on the suffering of that accident for her, without hesitation, without regret.

A bitter smile curled on Evelyn's lips.

She crumpled up her own wish and tossed it into the drain. Then, she reached up and unfastened the necklace around her neck.

It was the first gift Matteo had ever brought her. It was purchased with the money he earned from his first business deal after returning to the Gallagher family.

She had felt guilty that he had spent so much on it, but he had only pulled her into his arms and kissed her endlessly.

"Eve, they say it's lonely at the top. But as long as you're with me, I'll have the courage to keep climbing. This is just a necklace. One day, everything I have, including myself, will belong to you."

She buried the necklace, along with everything that tied her to the past.

After filling in the hole, Evelyn turned back toward the house.

But just as she reached the front door, she ran into Matteo and Rebecca.

The surprise in his eyes was clear when he saw her standing there.

"Eve, what are you doing here?"

Evelyn didn't answer. Instead, she threw the question back at him. "What about you? What are you two doing here?"

Before Matteo could speak, Rebecca smiled and chimed in.

"It's been a while since I last heard Matteo play the piano. He said the piano was still in the old house, so we came to get it. Ms. Walsh, you know this place well. Why don't you show us the way?"

Without waiting for Evelyn's response, she grabbed her arm and pulled her into the house.