Once My Only, Now Just a Memory Chapter 17

Once My Only, Now Just a Memory Chapter 17

“I am investigating it.”

“If Brielle had a hand in it,” his voice turned deadly cold, “she will pay.”

I remained in the hospital for a few days for observation.

Cillian came to visit every single day.

Sometimes he brought gifts, sometimes he simply stood outside my door.

One afternoon, he walked in with a insulated container.

“Flora, I made this myself. It is the vanilla dessert you used to like.”

I didn’t look at it. Soren walked in at that moment, carrying a bag of food.

“I brought you some warm porridge.”

“Thank you,” I said, a genuine smile appearing on my face. “Soren, you are too good to me.”

Soren’s expression remained calm, but his ears turned slightly red.

Cillian stood by the bed, clutching his container, looking entirely left out.

“Are you two close?” he asked quietly.

“Yes,” I replied. “If it weren’t for Soren, I would have died five years ago.”

Cillian closed his eyes, unable to find any words to defend himself.

That night, at the Wrenford Estate.

Jace placed the final investigation files on Cillian’s desk.

The documents proved that the anonymous donor Cillian had secured had been paid off and threatened by Brielle’s people.

Edmund had known and had helped cover it up, sending Cillian fake reports about Lumi’s health.

Every single employee, guard, and assistant had received secret payments from Edmund to keep the truth from Cillian.

The web of lies was finally exposed.

I had never been the villain. I had been the prey.

Cillian kicked Brielle’s door open. She tried to throw her arms around him.

“Cillian, I know I made mistakes. I promise I will never touch Lumi’s grave again-

Before she could finish, Cillian’s hand wrapped tightly around her throat, lifting her off her feet.

“How dare you?”

Brielle clawed at his grip, terror finally filling her eyes.

“Please… I don’t want to die…”

As her struggles began to weaken, Cillian threw her to the floor.

She lay there, gasping for air, a look of relief crossing her face.

She assumed that because of Milo, he would spare her.

But Cillian only looked down at her with cold disgust.

“I won’t kill you.”

“You will live.”

“You will live a long life, and you will spend every day paying for what you did to Lumi.”

A few days later, Soren showed me the morning news.

Wrenford Holdings had severed all business ties with the Ashcombe family. Their stocks had plunged, and their company was facing bankruptcy. Brielle’s parents had tried to claim division of marital assets, but Cillian’s lawyers had shut them down.

Brielle had never been legally registered as the Wrenford Luna. She had no legal claim to his fortune.

I read the article with complete indifference.

“My issue was with Brielle and Cillian. Not her parents.

Soren looked at me. “So you are not satisfied?”

“Cillian loved her for years, and they have a son together. Destroying her family’s business is one thing, but

I doubt he has the heart to truly punish her.”

Soren nodded thoughtfully. “I understand.”

Before I could ask what he meant, he stood up and left the room.

A few minutes later, Cillian walked in.

“The doctor said you are ready to be discharged. Come home with me, Flora. I will hire the best specialists to help you heal.”

I looked out the window. “If I live with you, I will never heal.”

Cillian’s face fell. “Flora, must we always be like this?”

“You don’t have to come here. I don’t want to see you.’

“I cannot do that,” he said desperately, trying to control his emotions. “I missed you every day for five years. At first, I felt our relationship had grown too quiet. When Brielle approached me, I didn’t stop her because I wanted to see you jealous. Later, my grandfather drugged my drink, and things went too far. But I never wanted to lose you.”

His voice cracked.

“I thought you were being cruel to her. I wanted to teach you a lesson. I had no idea everything was a lie.”

I listened to his excuses in silence.

“I wanted to find you so many times. I told myself that even if you had betrayed me, I would forgive you. But my pride kept me back.”