The Vanishing Heiress

Chapter 7

Ethan Sterling couldn't answer.

Meanwhile, Rachel Montgomery began breathing rapidly, gasping for air as she spoke, "I'm sorry… It's my fault. All of this is because of me… Ethan, please don't blame Megan…"

Seeing this, Ethan immediately panicked and barked at the driver, "Quick, change course to the hospital!"

Then he noticed me still in the car and snapped, "Megan, you've gone too far. Get out and find your own way back."

Just like that, he abandoned me on the side of the road.

The car sped away, leaving me behind.

I no longer felt the sting of sadness. Tilting my head up, I watched the night sky—snowflakes had begun to fall without me noticing.

The capital was blanketed in white.

I hadn't expected to see the first snowfall of the year before my departure.

I walked back to the Montgomery estate alone.

The entire mansion was lavishly decorated, buzzing with excitement as my parents made preparations for Rachel's wedding.

"The day after tomorrow is an auspicious date, perfect for marriage. We must make sure Rachel's wedding is grand and unforgettable," my mother said with a smile.

My father sighed. "Time flies. It feels like just yesterday our little girl was running around, and now she's getting married."

Their expressions were a mix of joy and melancholy—happy for Rachel, yet reluctant to let her go.

Watching them from a distance, I realized just how deeply they loved her.

When I was little, I once saw a TV program about reuniting lost families.

A girl, kidnapped as a child and renamed "Zhaodi" by her captors, grew up to become a successful businesswoman. When she finally found her birth family, she kept telling the host, "I knew my mother would never abandon me. She must have been searching for me all this time."

The host confirmed it—her mother had never stopped looking for her.

Her real name, given by her mother, was "Mingzhu."

Not "Zhaodi."

The woman on screen broke down in tears, repeating, "I always knew my mother loved me."

Back then, sitting in front of the TV, I cried just as hard. That moment solidified my determination to find my own family.

But now, I regretted it.

I regretted ever reuniting with them.

If I hadn't, they would have remained a beautiful fantasy in my heart.

I didn't greet my parents. Instead, I quietly retreated to the storage room that served as my bedroom.

Tomorrow at nine in the evening, I would leave.

From then on, the world would be wide open—no more longing for love or family.

The day after tomorrow, Rachel and Ethan would marry.

My younger sister, Emily Montgomery, had organized a pre-wedding party for them at home.

The guest list included plenty of wealthy socialites, as well as classmates Rachel and I had shared.

The next morning, the house was alive with chatter and laughter.

Since my room didn't have a bathroom, I had to step out to wash up.

Passing through the living room, I saw everyone playing Truth or Dare. Rachel and Ethan sat at the center, basking in attention like royalty.

"Ethan, you lost. Truth or Dare?" a playboy from the crowd called out.

Ethan's lips curled slightly. "Dare."

"Then you have to kiss Rachel for a full minute."

Rachel lowered her head, cheeks flushing pink.

Emily giggled. "Come on, it's a bachelor party! Shouldn't we make the most of Ethan and Rachel's last night as singles?"

At that, one of the men suddenly noticed me standing nearby.

His grin widened. "How about this, Ethan? Kiss any woman in this room for a minute."

The atmosphere instantly grew rowdier.

The man then pointed straight at me. "Megan, didn't you used to have a thing for Ethan? He's getting married soon—why not share one last kiss for old times' sake?"

Ethan stood and began walking toward me.

But when he was just a step away—

"Ethan…" Rachel's voice trembled.

She looked up at him with pleading eyes.

Ethan glanced back at her, then at me, lowering his voice. "There are too many people watching. I can't humiliate Rachel right before our wedding."

"You understand, don't you?"

I replied with a calm "Mm," then turned to leave.

Behind me, the crowd erupted into cheers as Ethan and Rachel kissed.

I might have been starved for love, but I wasn't stupid.

When forced to choose, I was grateful he hadn't picked me.