Isabelle's question hung in the air between us, my heart suddenly pounding in my chest. The way she looked at me—expectant, vulnerable, yet somehow confident—made my mouth go dry.
"I..." I started, then faltered. How could I tell her that she had completely transformed my world? That in the short time we'd known each other, she had shown me more genuine care than anyone ever had?
Before I could form a coherent response, Isabelle's phone buzzed. She glanced at it and sighed.
"I have to go," she said, standing reluctantly. "Business meeting that can't wait." She paused, then added softly, "Think about my question, Liam. I'll see you at the banquet."
As she walked away, she glanced over her shoulder, a small smile playing on her lips. "And just so you know, I'm looking forward to your answer."
I remained on that bench long after she left, replaying her words in my mind. Was she actually interested in me? The thought seemed impossible, yet her question had been unmistakable. For the first time since my awakening, I felt something beyond the thirst for revenge or the drive to cultivate—hope.
---
The next morning, I woke with renewed purpose. Isabelle Ashworth had seen something in me worth believing in, even before my transformation. Now I had to prove myself worthy of that faith.
I spent the morning practicing the movements described in my newly acquired knowledge, channeling Qi through my meridians with increasing precision. The sensation was exhilarating—pure energy flowing through my body, strengthening me from within.
After two hours of rigorous practice, my phone rang. The number was familiar, though I hadn't seen it on my screen in weeks. William Sterling—my former grandfather-in-law.
I hesitated before answering. "Hello?"
"Liam, my boy." His voice sounded weaker than I remembered, frailer somehow. "I know I have no right to ask anything of you, but... could you come see me? One last time?"
The request surprised me. William had been the only one in the Sterling family who had shown me any kindness during my three years of humiliation.
"What's wrong? Are you ill?" I asked, genuine concern in my voice.
"Just an old man wanting to make amends," he replied evasively. "Please, Liam."
I sighed. "I'll be there in an hour."
---
The Johnson family home looked exactly as I remembered—an imposing mansion that had once represented all my failures. Now, as I approached the front door, I felt strangely detached from the dread this place had once inspired.
The door swung open before I could knock. Beatrice Sterling, Seraphina's mother, stood there with her usual pinched expression.
"Oh, it's you," she said, as though I were a particularly persistent salesman. "Father William is in the study." She turned without another word, leaving me to follow.
The house was unusually quiet. As we passed the living room, I noticed boxes stacked against the wall—some labeled "Charity," others "Storage."
"Moving things around?" I asked.
Beatrice sniffed. "Not that it's any of your concern, but Seraphina is redecorating. New beginnings and all that."
At the study door, Beatrice paused. "Five minutes. He needs his rest." She rapped sharply on the door before walking away.
I entered to find William Sterling seated in his favorite armchair by the window. The once-formidable man now looked diminished, his shoulders hunched, his face gaunt. But his eyes lit up when he saw me.
"Liam, you came," he said, genuine warmth in his voice. "I wasn't sure you would."
"You asked," I said simply, taking the chair opposite him. "You're the only one in this family who ever showed me respect."
William's expression turned sorrowful. "Not enough, I'm afraid. I should have stood up for you more. The way they treated you..." He shook his head. "It wasn't right."
"Why did you want to see me?" I asked gently.
He reached for a small box on the side table. "I wanted to return this to you. Seraphina was going to throw it away."
Inside the box was my father's watch—a simple timepiece, but the only possession I had from him before I received the jade pendant. I'd thought it lost forever.
"Thank you," I said, genuinely moved. "This means a lot to me."
"Liam, I—" William began, but was interrupted as the door burst open.
Seraphina swept in, resplendent in an expensive new dress, her hair professionally styled. The sight of her—once able to make my heart race with love, then later with pain—now elicited nothing but mild disinterest.
Her face twisted with disdain when she saw me. "What are you doing here?"
"I invited him," William said firmly. "We're having a private conversation."
Seraphina ignored her grandfather, her attention focused entirely on me. "I see you're still wearing those pathetic clothes. Still living in that pitiful apartment?"
I remained silent, calmly putting the watch in my pocket.
Her smile turned vicious as she drew an envelope from her purse. "Look what I received yesterday." She waved it in my face—an invitation with the Ashworth family crest emblazoned on it. "The Ashworth family banquet. I'll be sitting among Veridia City's elite while you..." She laughed. "Well, you'll be wherever the garbage ends up these days."
"Seraphina, that's enough," William said sharply.
"No, Grandfather, he needs to understand his place." She turned back to me. "Gideon says the Ashworths are looking to form new partnerships. Important partnerships. With important people. Not failed nobodies like you."
I stood slowly, my face expressionless. "I should go. Thank you for the watch, William."
Seraphina stepped into my path. "Don't you have anything to say? No begging to take you back? No tears?" She seemed almost disappointed by my calm demeanor.
I looked at her—really looked at her—and realized that without the haze of my former love, I could see the ugliness beneath her beauty, the cruelty behind her smile.
"Goodbye, Seraphina," I said evenly. "I genuinely hope you find happiness."
Her face flushed with anger at my indifference. "Get out! You never belonged here anyway! You were nothing but a charity case!"
I walked past her, pausing only to squeeze William's frail hand. "Take care of yourself. And thank you—for everything."
"Liam," he whispered, his eyes watery. "I'm sorry it ended this way."
"I'm not," I replied honestly. "Some endings are necessary for new beginnings."
As I walked toward the door, Seraphina continued her tirade, her voice rising hysterically. "You'll see me at the top of society while you rot in obscurity! The Ashworths will welcome me into their circle while they wouldn't even let you clean their toilets!"
I didn't look back, didn't respond. Her words, once capable of cutting me to the core, now bounced off me like raindrops off a window.
The front door closed behind me with a final click. As I walked down the driveway, I felt a strange lightness in my chest. This chapter of my life was truly over.
Behind me, through the still-open study window, I heard William's tired voice drift out onto the morning air.
"Seraphina, you're going to regret this..."