The Broke, Mute Boy I Saved Was a Bored Billionaire Chapter 04

The Broke, Mute Boy I Saved Was a Bored Billionaire Chapter 04

Back at the apartment, I gathered everything Bastien had left behind.

The gifts he had given me went straight into the trash. Everything I had bought for him was burned or cut to pieces.

Then I opened the album I had once treasured most—the one I had filled with memories from my final-wish list—and tore out the photographs one by one.

My first bungee jump. Bastien had his arm around me while I stood pale and shaking, flashing a peace sign at the camera.

My first time on a racetrack. I had climbed out of the passenger seat on trembling legs while Bastien, still wearing his racing suit, waited beside the car with his hand outstretched.

My first dive. I had passed out on the beach, and Bastien had knelt over me, frantically trying to breathe air back into my lungs.

My first skydive. I had clung to the plane door until Bastien shoved me out from behind.

Every first had also been meant to be my last.

I had risked what little life I had left, believing those moments would become some of his happiest memories.

But every dream I crossed off my final-wish list was nothing more than an ordinary weekend to him.

By the time the album was empty, the pressure trapped inside my chest finally broke.

The tears came all at once.

The weekend arrived anyway.

By the time I reached Blackpine Summit, Bastien and his friends were already dressed in their ski gear. From a distance, they looked like any other group of college students laughing outside the rental lodge.

When I got closer, I realized Bastien had not invited only a few friends.

Everyone from the private lounge at Aster House was there.

Bastien spotted me first and came over, apology written across his face.

[Sorry, Tress. I didn’t realize this many people were coming.]

[You can put it on a payment plan if you didn’t bring enough.]

I looked into his amber eyes and slowly shook my head.

“It’s fine. I have it.”

Veda came over with a bright smile. “You must be Tressa. I’m Veda.”

Before I could respond, she slipped an arm through mine. “And you’re paying for everyone? That’s generous.”

The others joined in with exaggerated enthusiasm.

“You’re a lifesaver.”

“So generous of you.”

Not one word was sincere.

Their eyes kept sliding over me, as though they were studying a fake designer bag moments before exposing it.

Bastien glanced around at them, his mouth tightening slightly.

At the equipment counter, I opened my purse and pulled out a stack of crumpled bills—worn twenties, folded tens, and a handful of fives.

Veda let out an exaggerated gasp. “Tressa, don’t tell me you emptied your little savings jar for this.”

“Yes,” I said calmly.

Bastien’s head snapped toward me.

He knew exactly which jar I meant.

I had bought it when we first started dating and labeled it Travel Fund. I told him that once we had saved enough, we would go to Iceland and see the northern lights.

He had smiled and signed: [Deal. Then I want to see penguins in Antarctica.]

I had not answered.

He did not know I only had time to save for one trip.

I wanted to see the northern lights before I died.

And I wanted Bastien beside me for the last journey of my life.

Now the jar was empty.

Bastien stared at me.

[What about Iceland?] he signed.

“We’re still going,” I said vaguely. “I found another way to make money.”

His friends immediately started congratulating me on my supposed windfall, their voices dripping with false excitement.

Bastien was the only one who did not laugh.

His expression grew darker by the second.