He Faked His Death for My Trust Fund. So I Planned My Own Goodbye. Chapter 02

He Faked His Death for My Trust Fund. So I Planned My Own Goodbye. Chapter 02

I jerked my head up.

Walking toward me were Julian’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes.

“Mina, if you hadn’t insisted on breaking up with my son half a year ago, none of this would’ve happened.”

“Mr. Hayes, Mrs. Hayes, I…”

Seeing them made the tears start falling again.

“Enough. Stop playing the victim in front of us.”

“This is the Hayes family plot. What are you even doing here? Don’t tell me you’re dying and came to pick out your own spot.”

I sniffed and pointed at the memorial marker.

“I didn’t mean any harm. I just wanted to see Julian…”

“Stay away from here.”

They shoved me aside coldly.

But the next second, when they looked at the name on the plaque, their faces twisted even worse.

“Who gave you permission to put my son’s name here?”

I froze.

“What… do you mean?”

Wasn’t this memorial marker set up by them half a year ago?

Mrs. Hayes went white with rage.

“My son is not dead.”

“Mina Caldwell, you’re nothing but a walking curse. Even if my son has married someone else, you have no right to curse him like this.”

“Get lost.”

I stared at them in confusion.

Julian had once mentioned they had a younger son who’d been sent abroad to be raised.

Maybe Julian’s accident hit them too hard.

So they refused to accept they’d lost a son.

My face drained of color. I bit my lip, legs buckling as I grabbed the edge of the marker for support.

“Mr. Hayes, Mrs. Hayes, I’m sorry.”

“I got Julian killed…”

Before I could finish, Mrs. Hayes swung her handbag and hit me with it.

“Didn’t you hear what I said?”

“I’ll say it one more time. My son is alive and well. If you keep cursing him, I’ll call the police.”

Mr. Hayes gave me a heavy look.

“Let’s go, Helen.”

Before they left, he turned back.

“Mina, you were a good girl.”

“We once thought you’d marry Julian and become part of our family.”

“But that wasn’t meant to be.”

“Stop holding onto the past. Let him go and live your life.”

Watching their retreating backs, the guilt in my chest grew heavier.

Too bad I wouldn’t live much longer anyway.

I would never have the chance to make up for what I had done to Julian.

I could feel my body growing weaker every day.

That day the sun was shining bright. I asked the doctor and nurses for permission to go out.

I wanted to buy a beautiful dress to be buried in.

It wouldn’t be long before I’d go to the other side to see Julian.

I needed to look good when I explained everything.

Maybe he still thought I’d tricked him and was still angry.

Julian had always been a little proud.

I’d have to coax him.

But right then, the nurse who’d come with me, Tessa Ward, suddenly tapped my shoulder.

“Mina, I think I just saw Julian.”

I was busy picking out the burial dress and didn’t even look up.

I just smiled bitterly.

“Tessa, stop trying to comfort me.”

Tessa knew Julian was the wound I couldn’t get over.

These past six months, as my health declined, the one thing I did most was sit clutching his photo for hours.

Other patients had family visiting.

But I had no one.

I was an orphan.

Grandpa Everett had raised me.

Now he was gone too.

Only “dead” Julian remained as my emotional anchor.

Tessa didn’t stop. She tapped me again, more excited.

“I’m serious. Look up.”

“Isn’t the man walking arm in arm with your childhood best friend the same man from your photos?”

I slowly raised my head.

My gaze landed on the couple ahead, and my whole body went rigid.

Color drained from my face.

A man in a white shirt was strolling through Ridgeway Galleria, arm linked with Camille.

I recognized that silhouette even through the crowd.

But he was turned sideways, so I couldn’t see his full face.

I could just catch snippets of their conversation.

“Cami, this jacket looks great on you. Try it on. And grab that bag too. It matches perfectly.”

Camille smiled sweetly, cheeks flushed.

“You’re so generous with me. You usually hate spending this much.”

The man chuckled and tapped her nose.

“Of course. You’re not like anyone else.”

“You’re the wife I married at the courthouse.”

“Everything I earn is for you.”

He turned to the sales associate.

“Wrap all of this up, please.”

That was when I finally saw his face clearly.

It was the same man Camille had told me died in that plane crash half a year ago.

The ex-boyfriend I couldn’t stop thinking about.

Julian Hayes.