When the Wind Brought Clarity

Selena had only just returned home when she received a message from Zachary.

"I have something to attend to tonight, so I won't be going back."

Not wanting to see such irritating words, Selena deleted the message.

After a brief calculation, she realized she didn't have much time left to get ready.

Getting to work, she placed all her clothes into her luggage. Then, she moved on to cleaning out her drawer. That was when she spotted a love letter, yellowed with age.

Zachary had written it for her years ago, when he was 20.

Selena tossed the love letter into the fire, the flames instantly devouring it until nothing but ashes remained.

Once she was done packing, Selena sent a message to her best friend, Vivian Brown.

She was leaving this place soon and didn't know when she would get to see Vivian next. Hence, she wanted to take some photos to keep as mementos.

The next day, when Selena and Vivian arrived at the studio, they happened to see the Yanes and Zachary.

The four of them were smiling happily as they made various intimate poses under the direction of the photographer.

Seeing Selena staring at them from afar, a studio employee approached her to ask, "Good day, miss. Are you here for a family photo shoot?"

In response, Selena laughed lightly. So, they were taking a family photo shoot, one without her in it.

However, she had long since stopped caring.

Once the day of her wedding arrived and the Chiton family sent someone to fetch her, she would leave this detestable place behind forever. Along with her five billion, of course.

"No, I'm here for a photo shoot with my best friend."

At that moment, Lucine spotted Selena.

"Selena, what a coincidence! It's fine if you don't want to talk to me, but how could you ignore Mom and Dad? Do you still blame me?"

Once again, Lucine's eyes reddened, as though she were about to cry.

Seeing that, Martha was instantly heartbroken. "Selena, you've been against Lucine ever since she returned to us. For the 20 years she was missing, she lacked familial love and warmth. All we want is to make it up to her."

Frowning deeply, Liam said, "Don't bother wasting your breath on her. The older she gets, the less understanding she is."

Zachary shook his head, his disappointment clear as he uttered, "Selena, you already have more than enough, so don't take things too far.

"Today was originally supposed to be a family photoshoot with you four, but I thought it wouldn't be convenient for you since you were injured. That's why I came on your behalf."

Selena was so infuriated that she wanted to laugh. She hadn't said a single word, yet everyone was criticizing her. She snapped, "So, should I be thanking you?"

Zachary's expression instantly darkened. "Selena!"

Not wanting to waste her time on such insignificant matters, Selena took Vivian's hand and headed for the innermost dressing room.

Unexpectedly, Lucine abruptly burst into tears, dashing forward to grab Selena's hand.

"Selena, please don't be mad. I won't take the family photos anymore. I won't ever do so again."

Selena pushed her away, wanting to leave, but the other three came forward to block her way.

"Selena Yane, hurry up and apologize to Lucy! Just how far are you going to push her?"

This was the first time Zachary had addressed her by her full name.

As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, Lucine wiped away her tears and attempted to smooth things over.

"That's enough. It's all my fault that you guys are scolding Selena. Please stop blaming her. It's only normal that she doesn't like me when someone else is suddenly taking away love and attention from her. How about we all go camping this weekend to get closer to each other?"

Before Selena could respond, the other three had already nodded.

"Ah, Lucine, you're the more sensible one, after all. This settles it."

Nobody bothered asking for Selena's opinion before they happily agreed to go camping.

After that, Lucine turned to Selena with a pitiful look on her face. "Selena, you'll come, right?"