The Vanishing Heiress

Chapter 8

The Montgomery residence was buzzing with excitement that day.

The wealthy socialites showered Rachel Montgomery and Ethan Sterling with praise.

"Rachel, you and Ethan are perfect for each other. Remember how he used to drive you home every day in high school?"

"I still recall how he beat up those thugs for you. And during that car accident, he shielded you without hesitation. You've always been his exception."

Rachel's best friend chimed in, "Ethan treats Rachel well, but she's just as devoted to him. Years ago, when he was injured, Rachel even gave him her kidney."

"Wow, Ethan and Rachel are truly a rare love story."

"A match made in heaven."

In high society, among the elite, love was a luxury—something precious and hard to come by.

I sat alone in my small corner, fighting the urge to laugh.

Because the Rachel they were talking about—was me.

Ethan was older than me.

When I was in high school, he was already in college.

Pitying me, he would have his driver wait for me every time he came home.

I was often harassed by troublemakers, and Ethan would roll up his sleeves and fight them off for me.

Once, during a car accident on the way home, he held me tight, shielding me from any harm.

That was why I fell for him without hesitation—why I gave him my kidney without a second thought.

But…

The Ethan who once adored me, protected me, and put me first—was gone.

The man sitting in the Montgomery mansion now was no longer the radiant young man I had loved.

So, I decided to let him go.

Time slipped by minute by minute.

Night fell, and Ethan lit up the entire city with fireworks for Rachel.

He pulled me aside. "Megan, after tomorrow's sham wedding with Rachel, we can finally be together properly."

I thought of all the times he had helped me, saved me.

I opened my mouth.

"I'm sorry… I won't—" be with you anymore.

I didn't get to finish.

My sister, Emily Montgomery, called out to Ethan. "Brother-in-law! Come quick—we're playing the wedding night games early!"

Wedding night games?

Ethan replied, "Coming."

Then he turned back to me. "You won't what?"

I forced a bitter smile. "Nothing. Go have fun."

Ethan squeezed my icy hand.

"After tomorrow's wedding, everything will be over."

With that, he walked away.

I watched his tall figure disappear.

Yes. Everything was over.

Fireworks bloomed overhead as everyone crowded into Rachel's room. I slipped into the villa alone and checked the time on my phone.

7:15 PM.

One hour and forty-five minutes left.

First, I took a long, thorough shower.

Staring at my reflection, I traced the scars covering my body—remnants of my time in Redpine Correctional.

Then I changed into the cleanest, most expensive outfit I owned in years, waiting for the nation to reclaim me.

Final hour.

I glanced around the room I had lived in for so long.

The storage space wasn't small, but my belongings were pitifully few.

A handful of worn clothes, a pair of old shoes, a discarded servant's blanket, a tattered journal on the desk, and beside it—a lone photo frame.

I tossed the useless clothes, shoes, and blanket into the trash.

Then, I walked to the desk and picked up the frame. Inside was a photo from twelve years ago, taken when I first returned to the Montgomery family—a group portrait of the Montgomerys and Sterlings.

Mom, Dad, Emily, Rachel, and Ethan—all smiling.

This photo had once held all my love.

Now, I pulled it out, tore it to pieces, and let the fragments fall into the bin.

Finally, I turned to the journal I had kept since I was fifteen.

The first entry read:

"December 3, 2012. Sunny. I've come home. I saw Dad and Mom today. Dad is so handsome, Mom so beautiful, and my sisters are lovely. I'm so happy—I finally have a family."

Flipping further:

"March 1, 2013. Cloudy. Didn't get tuition money today. Not sure how to explain it to my teacher. Mom and Dad must have their reasons. I'll earn it myself—can't burden them."

"June 7, 2013. Sunny. Saved up for three months to buy that necklace. Little sister didn't like it. Next time, I'll work harder to get her something better…"

And then, the last entry—the day before I was imprisoned.

"December 1, 2017. Rain."

A single line:

"They never loved me."

My vision blurred.

I picked up the pen and wrote one last entry—this time, in French.

"December 10, 2024. Light snow."

"I'm leaving, Mom and Dad."

"Before I go, I have to ask—if you never wanted me, why did you search for me so desperately all those years ago?"

"Is it true what they say? That a child raised by others can never truly belong?"

"But then… why have I seen other parents weep with joy when they found their lost children?"

"They say reuniting with a child is like losing them all over again. But for me… being found was the moment I truly lost my parents."

I poured out years of confusion and bitterness onto the page.

"Emily, you said you only wanted Rachel as your sister. Today, you'll get your wish. From now on, you'll have just one."

Finally, to Ethan:

"You told me to wait—that after your fake wedding to Rachel, we could be together."

"I'm sorry. This time, I won't wait."

"Be happy with her."

"Goodbye. Let's never meet again."

I closed the journal and placed it on the desk.

Then, I set my medical report from prison on top of it.

The document clearly stated: One kidney remaining.

9:00 PM.

I slung a faded cloth bag over my shoulder and limped out of the Montgomery estate.

Behind me, the mansion blazed with light, laughter, and the raucous sounds of wedding night games.

Ahead, a line of black armored vehicles waited in silence.

Without hesitation, I walked toward my future.

The cars pulled away from the glittering streets, vanishing into the night—forever.