Falling Petals, Light as a Dream

“Adam, call off the engagement,” one of Adam’s friends urged, his voice calm but insistent.

Adam took a long drag on his cigarette, his silence hinting at contemplation.

From my wheelchair at the top of the stairs, I could see into his study through a narrow crack in the door. I never thought I’d see a day when Adam would frighten me.

Inside, he methodically crushed my daily medication pills, one by one. His slow, deliberate movements carried a twisted sense of satisfaction, as if this act alone could bring him peace.

“How much do you think it would take for her to leave me alone? Three million? Thirty million? Or three hundred million?” Adam asked.

The man who once claimed money couldn’t buy love had now reduced me to a transaction. He didn’t seem to remember who had given him his fortune.

***

Three years ago, Adam was handed an opportunity that could change his life—a project that would allow him to build his empire from scratch. But it also made him a target.

That fateful night, we fled together, clutching the project documents as shadows pursued us relentlessly. His face was pale with desperation as he turned to me.

“Aila, hold them off for me, just for a little while. You’re a girl—they won’t hurt you,” he said urgently.

Terror coursed through my veins, but before I could respond, Adam shoved me back toward our pursuers and ran.

“I’ll come back for you! Once I make it, I’ll never forget your sacrifice!”

I was captured almost immediately.

The men used me as leverage, their cruel voices echoing in the alley.

“Adam, hand over the files, or don’t blame us for what happens to your girlfriend!”

They tore at my clothes and I screamed for help. But Adam didn’t look back.

The next thing I remembered was waking up in the hospital. On the TV, Adam’s face was plastered across the screen, his name lauded in headlines.

Later, he came to the hospital. By then, I had already tried—and failed—to end my life. Adam stopped me just in time.

He promised to marry me, claiming none of what had happened mattered to him. His public declarations of love painted a picture of us as a pair of star-crossed lovers and the media was captivated by our story.

The sympathy garnered from the narrative boosted his company’s stock price. No one ever brought up what happened to me again.

***

I wheeled myself back to my room, each movement heavy with bitterness. Upstairs, the commotion continued.

“Adam, Robin knows about the wedding and is heartbroken. She’s already agreed to marry someone else. If you don’t act now, it’ll be too late,” someone said.

I maneuvered my wheelchair into my room, shutting the door behind me.

It wasn’t long before I heard them rushing downstairs.

“Adam, where are you going?”

“To crash the engagement,” Adam replied nonchalantly.

“What? Now? Wait for us!”

Their laughter echoed down the hall, growing fainter as they left.

***

I stayed awake all night, staring blankly at the ceiling.

The next morning, Adam returned, looking victorious, as though he had won a great battle. He leaned down to kiss me on the cheek before heading straight to the shower.

The sound of running water was accompanied by music, but even through the noise, I heard him retching.

When he emerged, he immediately took a call. His voice brimmed with excitement as he said,

“A celebration banquet? I’ll be there.”

I called out softly, “Adam.”

He turned back to me, his expression patient. “Aila, there’s a last-minute meeting I need to attend.”

“I’m bored at home. Take me with you,” I said, my voice calm but insistent.

His expression faltered, but he forced a smile.

“It’s just a meeting. It might be inconvenient—”

“How could it be inconvenient?” I interrupted, holding his gaze.

For a moment, Adam hesitated, then relented with a strained smile.

“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

***

When we arrived at the venue, the air was filled with excitement. But the moment his friends spotted me, their expressions darkened.

“Here it comes! The cake is here!” someone called out, clapping their hands.

The towering cake was wheeled in, adorned with decorative flourishes. At its center, written in bright icing, were the words:

“Congratulations Mr. Walter and Miss Robin on your engagement!”