11
I’d even given away AiYi. AiYi, a play on “love Summer… Liam had named him; he’d said he’d love me forever, and AiYi was a testament to our love.
I cherished AiYi so much these years. Once, he’d run away, and I’d searched for him in the pouring rain, my legs failing me, my voice calling out his name… Liam had spent $10,000 on a search team to find him.
He remembered me, hugging AiYi, my eyes swollen with tears. I’d said AiYi was like my child; I could never lose him.
Now, I’d given him away.
Liam was devastated, his chest heavy with a crushing weight. He just wanted to find me, to beg for forgiveness. Anything to have me back.
His Adam’s apple bobbed. He stared at Wang Ma.“Did Summer say anything unusual these past few days?”
Wang Ma shook her head, then nodded.“She didn’t talk much to me, but I heard her talking to AiYi when she was holding him.”
“What did she say?” Liam’s gaze was intense.
Wang Ma pondered.“She told AiYi, ‘Mommy’s going far, far away. Be a good boy…”
“Far, far away?” Liam’s eyes widened.
He knew where I might be.
He grabbed his phone, calling the manager of his private island villa.
I loved watching sunrises. He’d promised to take me there today, their eighth anniversary… He was sure I was on the island.
“Hello, Mr. Lin. Is Summer on the island?”
“No, sir. Madame hasn’t been here in a while.”
Liam’s face paled.“Are you sure? Maybe… she’s still on her way. Call me immediately if she
arrives.”
“Yes, sir.”
Liam hang up and slumped back onto the sofa, his mind racing. Where else could I go?
I was an orphan; I had no family to return to.
We met when I was thirteen; he’d fallen for me instantly.
After being kidnapped, he’d been locked in a storage room, developing severe claustrophobia.
He also had a strange illness; he was always cold, making people think he was dead.
After returning to the Sterling family, his parents sought out top doctors, but none could cure him. Later, he began coughing up blood, making people avoid him, fearing a contagious disease.
Except me…
I’d held his hand, telling him, “You won’t die. You’re so handsome, you’ll get better.” And he had. He considered me a guiding light.
[ 12.52
< 11
Merau
He couldn’t live without me; he loved me deeply, fiercely. He cherished me. Now I was gone, and he felt like dying too.
He thought desperately. I had no parents; my only close friend was Chloe. He called her immediately.
Chloe answered, “Honey, I…”
“Chloe, listen. This is important for me. If you know anything, tell me,” Liam interrupted her sweet nothings.
His eyes were red as he asked, “Think carefully. Did Summer contact you privately? Did she say anything unusual?”
Chloe felt guilty; she’d sent me harassing messages.
But she denied everything.“No! She only mentioned inviting me for dinner that day.” Her words triggered a memory.
The gift I’d given him for Chloe, to be delivered in seven days.
Today was the seventh day. He’d left it in his study.
He ran upstairs, bursting into his study, searching frantically.
He found the Hermès box on a bookshelf.
A
wave of dread washed
him. His fingers trembled over
as
he opened it.
Inside wasn’t a bag, but a collection of items: photo frames, toys, dried flowers, a music box. On top, a simple envelope.
It read:“To Chloe, ties severed, farewell forever.”
Liam’s heart seized at the words, “farewell forever…”
