Our Final Goodbye

"Don't think that investing ten billion buys my personal freedom."

I clenched my phone tightly, tears spilling down despite my efforts to hold them back.

The hotel I booked was right next to the company. The next morning, as soon as I stepped downstairs, I unexpectedly heard Adrian's voice.

"For the bridal bouquet, go with Phalaenopsis orchids. My wife likes them."

My nose stung. I remembered when we were eighteen, when he planted an entire estate full of Phalaenopsis orchids to confess his love to me.

For a moment, it felt as if I had forgotten everything that came before. I hurried toward him.

Then I saw Zoe standing in the middle of the sea of flowers, holding the bouquet and spinning in place.

"Phalaenopsis orchids are too old-fashioned. Irises look much better. If I could walk down the aisle holding irises and marry you, I would have no regrets in this life."

Adrian stared at her for a long time, then smiled gently. "Alright. We'll do what you want."

My legs felt as heavy as lead. I could not take another step forward. My stomach churned violently.

Zoe's resemblance to the eighteen-year-old version of me was uncanny. I could not accept that the man I had loved for seven years was searching for traces of me in someone else.

Adrian spotted me first. The tenderness on his face vanished instantly. He said with clear displeasure, "Where have you been these past few days? The wedding planners couldn't find you and dumped everything on Zoe. Is that even appropriate?

"You can see it yourself. Zoe is very capable. After we get married, I don't plan to send her abroad. I'm going to promote her to vice president of the group."

Excitement immediately flared in Zoe's eyes.

I sneered inwardly. Last night, I went back to the office and worked through the night for one reason only—to withdraw the investment.

Adrian was fully immersed in his sweet date with Zoe. He never noticed the messages on his phone.

I looked at him indifferently. "Do whatever you want."

Under Adrian's furious stare, I turned and walked away, dialing a number. "Uncle, withdraw the ten billion investment for the Coles. And do you remember the marriage candidate you arranged last time? I want to meet him."

……

On the eve of the wedding, the bride was required to return to the Cole family estate to observe a longstanding family rite.

I had already decided to call off the engagement. Nevertheless, Adrian's parents had always treated me very well. His mother, Mrs. Ophelia Cole, was a close friend of my own mother's. Something as serious as breaking off the engagement had to be conveyed to them in person.

Mrs. Cole held my hand, joy nearly overflowing from her face. "Sweet child, I've hoped since you were little that I'd have a daughter-in-law like you. Tomorrow, it will finally come true.

"Don't worry. After the nonsense Adrian pulled before, Hubert and I have already taught him a lesson. He was just temporarily bewitched by that little fox. Once you two are married, his heart will naturally come back to you."

Mr. Hubert Cole, usually stern, also wore a rare smile. "Iris, I've prepared a whole table of dishes you love. When Adrian gets back later, we'll have him apologize to you properly, alright?"

Seeing their kind, affectionate smiles, I found it hard to say no.

The warm, harmonious scene seemed to stir Adrian's memories. When he looked at me, there was rare tenderness in his eyes.

He sat down beside me and pushed a jewelry box toward me. Inside was a dazzling diamond necklace.

"I wasn't in the right mood before, so I went out of my way and picked out a necklace to make it up to you."

I let out a long sigh and did not take it. "Adrian, are you sure you actually put thought into choosing this?"

Inside my jewelry box lay three identical necklaces, all apologies from the years whenever Adrian had angered me.

The first time I received one, I thought the necklace was filled with his love for me.

The second and third times, I managed to lie to myself, telling myself he was just too busy and had forgotten.

In the end, I could not fool myself.

Adrian frowned impatiently, about to speak, when Mr. Cole shot him a look to silence him.

His tone softened immediately. "I have neglected you these past days. Wasn't all of it for the wedding preparations? We're getting married tomorrow. After the wedding, I'll make it up to you properly, alright?"