He Deserved the Price of Choosing Her Over Me

Third Person's POV

"My condolences. Talia wouldn't want to see you like this."

Travis’s gentle voice came from behind, his broad hand resting lightly on Stralet's shoulder.

Of course. Her sister had been the kindest, most innocent soul. No matter how many mistakes she had made, that foolish girl only ever wished for her happiness. She would never want to see her in pain.

Swallowing back her grief, Starlet, with Travis’s help, arranged a simple funeral for her sister.

Once everything was settled, the sky was still bright. Instead of going back, she headed straight to the registry office to erase her identity as Starlet.

With the official death certificate from the sanatorium, the process went smoothly.

As she stepped out of the office, the snow that had been falling all morning suddenly cleared.

Lifting her gaze to the sky, she squinted against the sharp sunlight. It was blinding, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like she could see hope—hope for a new life.

A faint smile curved her lips. Just as she was about to leave, her phone rang.

An unknown number.

She hesitated at first but answered anyway.

"Hello, Miss Bennett. This is the manager of the Haven Hotel. Your fiancé, Mr. Aldrich Young, booked the venue for a wedding three days from now, but there are still some details left to confirm. We’ve been unable to reach him, so we had no choice but to contact you. Would you be available to come by and discuss the arrangements?"

Her first instinct was to refuse. But then, when she heard the date, her eyelashes trembled slightly.

Three days from now—the day Aldrich had chosen to "regain" his memory and also the day she planned to disappear.

How fitting.

One last look at a wedding she would never attend—maybe that would be the perfect ending to this mess.

In the end, she agreed, hailed a cab, and arrived at the hotel. The manager led her to the 28th floor. The moment she stepped inside, a strong scent of magnolias filled the air.

Above her, tiny lights twinkled like stars, while delicate white magnolias cascaded like snow between strands of crystal beads. A soft fragrance lingered in the air, wrapping the room in quiet romance. It was beautiful—just like that spring when the magnolias bloomed, and she and Aldrich had met.

Magnolias symbolized loyalty.

She once believed their love would be as steadfast as these flowers.

She had forgotten, though—magnolias were fleeting. Just like everything between them.

The manager, about to explain the venue details, suddenly received a call and stepped away, leaving her alone.

The hall had two levels. Wandering aimlessly, she made her way upstairs.

From here, the floating lights in the air felt closer, almost within reach. It reminded her of that night—when Aldrich had knelt before her, eyes full of sincerity, holding out a ring as he made his lifelong vow.

Back then, when she had said yes, he had cried. And she had thought—marriage with him would be beautiful.

Who could have predicted that within three months, everything would crumble to nothing?

Lost in thought, she barely registered the sound of the doors downstairs swinging open.

At first, she assumed it was the manager returning.

But no—it was Aldrich and Eileen.

Aldrich was dressed in a deep burgundy suit, a bouquet of magnolias in his hands.

She had to admit—he looked stunning in that color.

She had loved seeing him in burgundy. He had once promised that on their wedding day, he would wear it just for her.

Beside him, Eileen’s eyes darted around the hall, a flicker of jealousy crossing her face. Then, as her gaze landed on the second floor, she paused—her lips curling into a knowing, wicked smile.

Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Aldrich’s.

"Aldrich, why did you bring me here?" she asked in a sweet, almost childish tone.

Aldrich placed a casual arm around her shoulders.

"This is the wedding venue I prepared for Starlet," he said. "The day after tomorrow, I plan to have a few of my friends bring her here. I’ll pretend to be overwhelmed by memories… and then, just like that, I’ll regain my memory."