Heart in Ashes

Sophie's eyes turned red with emotion as she nodded excitedly. "Yes! I'll marry you! I'll marry you a hundred times!"

The surrounding camera crew immediately erupted into cheers. "Congratulations!"

Inside the car, Luna watched the scene unfold with a cold expression, her entire body numb.

When Simon proposed to her five years ago, he was just as heartfelt.

He had worn a sharp black suit, held a bouquet of vibrant roses, and presented her with a meticulously prepared engagement ring.

Back then, he even choked up while proposing.

"Lulu, you're the only woman I'll ever love in this lifetime. There will be no other women in my heart. I beg you, please marry me. I swear, I'll end myself if I ever cheat."

Luna let out a bitter laugh until tears started to fall suddenly.

It turned out everything was a lie. The promises, too, were lies.

Even his so-called sincerity was fleeting and ever-changing.

Looking at Luna with concern, Clover gently asked, "They've left. Should we follow them?"

"Let's go," Luna said, lowering her gaze and slowly turning to look out the window.

She wanted to see where Simon and Sophie were heading next.

The Bentley pulled up in front of a Westonian restaurant an hour later.

The restaurant was located in the most bustling part of the city and had window-side seating that was notoriously difficult to reserve.

Since it wasn't mealtime, there were only a few diners.

Each table in the restaurant was separated by screens, providing privacy.

It was clear that Simon had taken great precautions.

Seeing Simon and Sophie walk into the restaurant, Luna first went to the shop next door and bought a more mature-looking outfit. After donning a mask and a large hat, she slowly made her way into the restaurant.

Clover had already taken care of everything by paying to secure the table behind Simon's.

As the two of them sat down, a middle-aged couple, guided by a waiter, was seated at Simon's table.

The couple appeared to be in their 50s and looked like ordinary people. On closer inspection, however, the middle-aged woman bore a 50% resemblance to Sophie.

"Don't tell me Simon is meeting Sophie's parents!" Clover exclaimed in surprise.

Luna remained expressionless as she took out her phone. Finding the perfect angle, she quickly snapped a few photos through the gap in the screen.

Her timing was impeccable; she captured the moment Simon handed a black card to Sophie's mother.

"This scumbag sure knows how to spend big," Clover muttered angrily.

Luna's tear-filled eyes lowered slightly as she slowly put down her phone.

She recalled how Simon had also presented an unlimited black card to show his sincerity when he met her parents for the first time years ago. But her parents had firmly refused—they didn't want to "sell" their daughter.

Now, the same move was being repeated.

"Let's go," Luna stated. She didn't want to stay there for even one more second.

The two made their way down to the first floor.

Clover offered to take Luna home, but Luna shook her head.

"Clover, my mind's a mess right now. I just want to be alone for a while."

Hearing that, Clover didn't push further but repeatedly reminded her to stay safe before leaving.

After Clover left, Luna wandered the streets alone. The outdoor temperature had dropped to 30.2°F.

Luna was wearing only a thin coat. However, the chill on her body was nothing compared to the cold in her heart.

She didn't know how long she had been walking when her phone suddenly vibrated.

It was a message from Simon.

As Luna opened the message, three wedding photos immediately appeared on her phone screen.

One showed Sophie leaning against Simon, the two of them looking intimate.

The second was of them sharing a sweet kiss in each other's arms.

The third captured Simon on one knee, holding a bouquet, while Sophie beamed unreservedly.

"Today, we took our wedding photos, and he publicly proposed to me. I was really touched. He even asked to meet my parents. Aside from getting the marriage certificate, we've gone through all the steps necessary to have a wedding.

"Who says it's bad to share a man? I can accept it—can you? After all, I'm not the one losing out."

Luna stared at Sophie's arrogant words, but she didn't reply.

Instead, she forwarded the three wedding photos along with the pictures she had taken earlier of Simon's dinner with Sophie's parents to Susanna. She also attached screenshots of all their chat records.

"Make sure all of this is revealed on the wedding day," she instructed.

After that, Luna slid her phone back into her pocket. She continued walking aimlessly, her steps heavy and lifeless.

She didn't notice the out-of-control black car speeding toward her.

Bang!

Luna didn't have time to get out of the way. She was sent flying nearly seven feet away.

It felt like an eternity before she opened her eyes again. The sharp smell of disinfectant hit her nose, and her vision was filled with the sterile white of a hospital room.

Simon, noticing she was awake, hurried to her bedside. His dark eyes were filled with worry and lingering fear.

"You're awake! Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?" he asked, his voice tight with concern.

Luna's gaze shifted slowly, finally landing on Simon.

Simon's eyes were red as he looked at her with a mix of nervousness and deep sorrow, as though he wished he could have taken her place and been the one injured.

Yet all Luna felt was a wave of nausea. The images of Simon and Sophie's intimate wedding photos flashed in her mind, and her stomach churned violently.

"Simon, oh Simon…" she thought. "Which version of you is the real one?"

"Why aren't you saying anything? Are you in pain? I'll get the doctor," Simon blurted out anxiously, turning to leave.

But before he could go, Luna grabbed his hand.

Her voice was hoarse as she asked, "Why are you here?"