A New Dawn, A Different Path

I cut myself out of the photographs before throwing the cut out images of me into a brazier and setting them on fire. I also found someone to sell off all the presents that Luke had ever gifted me.

After my expedition qualifications application was approved, I dropped by the research institute to process the necessary paperwork.

Eric reminded me once more, "Although we will do our best to ensure the safety of all members of the expedition team, the weather conditions in Glacia are unforgiving. There will always be risk involved no matter what precautions we take. Remember, safety always comes first."

Considering the uncertainty that surrounded the expedition, I stopped by the Heathers' residence after leaving the research institute.

When Mom passed away, she left an important item for me. She was afraid that it would stir up melancholy feelings of nostalgia within me, so she had me leave the item in the Heathers' residence.

The Heathers' residence seemed to be stuck in the past, looking exactly how it did when my parents were still alive. It gave me the illusion that they were still by my side. My nose stung and a wave of despair crashed over me. After drying my tears, I found the safe that was the reason for my visit.

However, when I opened the safe, I was frozen in place. There was nothing in it. I searched every nook and cranny of the house but there wasn't even a shadow of the item. Just as I was about to spiral into a pit of depression, the nurses' voices from the hospital rang out in my thoughts.

"You're right. Not only that, but I also saw Mr. Logan put on an emerald-studded bracelet for Mrs. Logan just now."

The person who took the bracelet must be Luke! I dialed his number over and over again, but just like in my past life, my calls were ignored.

I wasn't going to wait around this time and decided to rush over to Logan Corporation. Surprise flashed over the receptionist's face when she spotted me, and she stopped me from entering the office.

I batted away her hand that was grabbing my arm. "I'm a stockholder of Logan Corporation. Are you still going to deny me entry?"

A troubled expression appeared on the receptionist's face. She looked like she had something to say. I used her moment of hesitation to grab the baseball bat and rush inside. Luke's office was empty when I entered, but there was a crack in the door that led to the inner room.

Riley's coy voice came floating through the crack. "Luke, are you really going to marry Summer? Didn't you say you love me the most? Your mom has already passed away. You don't need to care about her."

Kissing sounds were coming from the inner room. Luke's voice was tinged with desire when he said, "Give me some time, Riley. Your body's weak after your miscarriage, and the doctor said it would be difficult for you to get pregnant again.

"Summer is pregnant with my child now, and that child could possibly be the only heir I have. I can't just leave her alone.

"Once Summer has raised the child to an age where they can attend school, I'll divorce her. I'll belong to you, and so will the child. Can you wait for me for a few more years?"

White-hot fury burned through my body like wildfire. I was angered to the point of dizziness and nearly lost my balance. I never would have thought that Luke had everything planned from the start.

The door to the inner room suddenly opened. Luke froze in his steps when his gaze fell upon me. He looked visibly panicked. "Summer, what are you doing here?"

Riley followed close behind him. She was hiding behind Luke like a coward as she made a show of adjusting her collar. Since the situation had escalated to this point, I wasn't in the mood to talk to them more than I needed to. I raised the baseball bat and brandished it at Luke.

"Where is my mom's bracelet? Hand it over!"

Luke assumed I hadn't heard what he said earlier and internally sighed in relief. But after he registered what I was saying, his brows knitted together. "Why do you want the bracelet all of a sudden?"

"Hand it over," I repeated. My voice rose in pitch.

Luke's voice was full of authority as he said, "Summer, this is the office. It's not a place for you to act in such an uncivilized manner."

Riley poked her head out from behind Luke and shook her wrist at me. "Are you talking about this? It's just a bracelet. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?

"I didn't know you were such a stingy person, Summer. I just thought that the color looked nice, so I wanted to borrow it for a little while. Don't be angry."

I glared at her and repeated again, "Hand it over."

Riley pouted as she unwillingly took off the bracelet. But as she was handing it over, she let the bracelet slip through her fingers. The emerald-studded bracelet collided with the floor, and the inlaid gems shattered into a million pieces.

It was as if the entire world had gone silent. Tears ran down my face as I kneeled down to salvage what was left of the emeralds. When I got back to my feet, I slapped Riley across the face with all the strength I could muster before hurrying out of the office.

Luke wanted to chase after me, but he was stopped in his tracks when he heard how pathetically Riley was begging him to stay. The next day, I threw away every single thing that had any relation to me in the Logan residence.

I boarded the ship that would bring me to South Point. I had left my abortion report and a farewell letter behind for Luke to find. I hoped that he would enjoy the surprise I left for him.