A Love That Fades

Selena wasn't planning to tell him the truth just yet.

"I'm a little tired. I'm taking time off from school for a few days to travel nearby. I won't go far."

She turned her phone around and showed him the travel guide she had been reading.

Seeing that she wasn't lying, Ian finally relaxed a little and let go of her arm. "That's more like it. I knew you wouldn't be so petty. It's just a patent. You can always come up with another one."

Just then, his phone rang. It was Ryan from the hospital.

"Ian, where did you go? Vanessa woke up and freaked out when she didn't see you. Her condition got worse, and now she's throwing herself against the walls. She's bleeding a lot. Get back here now!"

Ian rushed to leave, but before stepping out, he turned back to remind Selena, "Go ahead and travel if you want, just don't go too far from home."

Selena smiled without saying a word.

'Don't worry. I won't go too far. Just far enough that you'll never find me.'

As he passed by the pile of burned ashes in the courtyard, Ian frowned, feeling strangely uneasy. But he quickly brushed it off. She had already been so heartless. There was no reason for him to feel guilty about someone like her.

Yet, he still couldn't shake the feeling that Selena was hiding something from him.

'Don't overthink it. Where could she even go? Right now, taking care of Vanessa is what matters. I can't afford to get distracted.'

With that thought in mind, Ian turned away and left Selena behind once again.

-

Over the next few days, Selena joined a tour group and visited all the major landmarks in the city. Everyone around her was her age, and the atmosphere was lively. They watched the sunset from mountaintops, sang songs, and barbecued under the stars.

Here, there was no family to disappoint her and no love to break her heart. The more she experienced, the more she realized that people should live for themselves.

The last stop of the trip was a high-end restaurant by a garden.

Selena found a seat by the window, ready to enjoy a quiet afternoon.

The restaurant doors swung open.

It was Vanessa.

Today was also the day she was due to be discharged from the hospital.

The entire family was here to celebrate.

They took the most prominent table in the room. There were gifts, champagne, and a cake. Everything Selena had never received was now laid out in front of Vanessa. She was like a princess with endless treasures at her feet.

Zachary poured Vanessa a drink.

Ian frowned at the sight. "Zachary, Vanessa just got out of the hospital. She shouldn't be drinking."

"Oh, come on," Zachary scoffed. "If she doesn't drink with me, this wine will just go to waste. If that's the case, why don't you drink on her behalf?"

"Don't worry, Ian." Vanessa leaned in close to Ian, her voice soft. "Zachary is in a good mood today. I don't want to spoil the fun. Just a little won't hurt."

The way she pressed close to Ian made it obvious that they were a loving couple.

Ryan immediately chimed in, "Forget the drink. Why don't you two just kiss instead?"

Zachary's eyes lit up. "Now that's a good idea. If you kiss, I won't make Vanessa drink."

Vanessa's face turned bright red, but she didn't refuse. Instead, she glanced up at Ian, her gaze filled with coy anticipation.

Ian felt his throat go dry under her heated stare.

As he hesitated, Vanessa suddenly leaned in and kissed him.

Ian was caught off guard and instinctively wanted to push her away. But as her soft lips pressed against his, her warm body molding against him, he finally gave in to her advances. His breath quickened, and his resolve crumbled. He kissed her back just as passionately.