Goodbye, My Lost Love

Chapter 5

To defuse the tension, I softened my tone. "You're overthinking it. I'm not throwing anything away, just having professionals refurbish them. Why would I want to part with them?"

William's tense shoulders finally relaxed.

"Alright," he muttered. "I'll arrange for new cabinets at home so we can store everything properly."

I nodded, shifting gears to a more businesslike tone. "Aren't you two supposed to be heading to work? You should go. I really need to catch up on sleep."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked into the bedroom, locking the door behind me before he could say another word.

I woke up in the afternoon, another day gone. I tore a page off my countdown calendar, five days left.

A notification popped up on my phone. My professor.

Professor Dawson: Your latest SCI paper just got published in the journal. We need to meet to discuss the next steps.

Just as I grabbed my bag to leave, my phone rang.

William.

"I'm headed to the university," I told him.

"I'll drive you," he offered.

When I reached the car, Ava was already sitting in the passenger seat.

I hesitated for a second, then slid into the back without saying a word.

Ava's laughter broke the silence. "Victoria, don't take it the wrong way. William always lets me sit up front. Ever since he used to drive my dad's car, I'd be in the passenger seat. It's just a habit. Sitting in the back makes it seem like you're treating the driver like a chauffeur. Kinda rude, right?"

I wasn't offended. Actually, I smiled.

"If you want the front seat, feel free to take it," I said casually.

William glanced at me in the rearview mirror, clearly waiting for some kind of reaction. I gave him nothing.

Both of them fell silent, caught off guard by my indifference.

Finally, William cleared his throat. "On my way here, I saw an article about a med student, 'Amelia Victoria.' Apparently, she just published a groundbreaking paper. People are saying it could bring huge value to the country. Funny thing, it's in your field, isn't it?"

I stayed silent.

Amelia Victoria.

My pseudonym.

My professor had insisted on it for safety reasons.

Before William could press further, Ava turned to me, her voice dripping with sugary sweetness.

"Victoria, you've been studying for so many years, but I've never heard of you accomplishing something big like that." She gasped, her eyes widening. "Oh no! That came out wrong. I'm just blunt sometimes, no offense!"

Even William shot me a look, something like disdain flashing in his eyes.

He sighed, giving me a patient, almost pitying smile. "Victoria, sometimes you just have to accept that people are different. You've been working yourself to the bone for years, but it's… directionless. After the wedding, why don't you stop working? I'm at a point where you don't need to anymore."

I didn't look up, didn't react.

Instead, I typed out a reply to my professor.

None of this mattered anymore.

Two blocks from the university, Ava asked to be dropped off.

"Thanks for the ride, William. Love you!" She winked at me as she got out of the car.

As she walked away, she tossed over her shoulder, "Sister, I'm heading out first."

I glanced at the neighborhood she had chosen to get off in.

"Isn't this where our wedding house is?" I asked, my tone casual.

"Oh," William said easily, "she's probably visiting a friend."

I didn't push further.

He must have sensed something in my silence because he added, "She's still recovering from her injury, so I thought I'd drop her off on the way. Don't be petty."

I smiled faintly. "Of course. It's completely normal for an older brother to give his sister a ride. Isn't it?"

His mouth opened, then closed. He had no response.

When we reached the university, William opened the trunk and pulled out a large bouquet of flowers. Without warning, he shoved them into my hands.

"I know you've been upset these past few days," he said, his voice softer, almost coaxing. "I'm sorry, okay? This is me making it up to you."

"And about the wedding dress, you were right. Let's forget about it. I'll have a top designer custom-make one for you. Happy now?"

He looked at me with an expectant smile, as if I should be touched by his 'effort.'

I glanced at his phone. He was scrolling through images of extravagant wedding gowns.

But the truth was, I didn't care.

None of it mattered.

I gently pushed his phone away and handed the flowers back. "Pick whatever you like. My professor is waiting for me."

I turned to leave, but William grabbed my wrist.

"Victoria," he said, his voice thick with something I hadn't heard before, something close to desperation. "What's wrong with you? What's really going on?"

For the first time, I saw it.

Confusion.

A hint of fear.

Like he was starting to realize I was slipping through his fingers.