She could already predict what would happen next. She turned around, trembling, and left without saying a word.

For the next few days, Caleb really didn't appear. He only occasionally sent a text saying he was on a business trip.

Luna didn't reply to a single word, and he had no reaction either.

In the past, he would have sensed something was wrong and come looking for her without delay.

But now, he was only focused on accompanying Sienna.

Occasionally, when the nurse took her for check-ups, she would gossip with the doctors about hospital rumors.

"I heard the entire sixth floor was booked by a mysterious tycoon for a girl. You aren't allowed up there without notification!"

"Someone has been sending all sorts of luxury jewelry up there for days. I wonder who she is—what a lucky life!"

Luna listened quietly, unlocked her phone, and looked at the various photos Sienna had sent over these past few days.

A whole row of Hermes bags, full sets of jewelry, and the blue and purple kiss marks on her body.

In the next second, a message from Caleb popped up.

"Luna, you're being discharged this afternoon. Should I have my secretary pick you up? I still have some business to handle abroad and won't be back until the day after tomorrow."

Abroad?

Was the sixth floor of Hexie Hospital now considered overseas?

Watching, Luna laughed silently until the tears flowed, then turned her gaze to the calendar on the table.

December 17th. Her countdown to total liberation.

There were only three days left.

On the third-to-last day, Luna went to the psychiatric ward to visit Arthur.

She hadn't seen him in three years, and he had aged significantly. His hair had turned completely white, and his eyes were dull and cloudy—he didn't even recognize her, his own daughter.

Through the window, she looked at the culprit who had deprived her of her mother since childhood and couldn't help but ask him one thing.

"Do you regret it?"

Arthur didn't understand what she was asking at all. He shook his head, then nodded.

Luna knew she wouldn't get an answer, so after one last look at him, she left.

As soon as she stepped out, she saw Caleb waiting outside.

The moment he saw her, he trotted over, busy draping a coat over her shoulders and holding her hands in his pockets to warm them. "Darling, why did you think of coming here today? Why didn't you call me? It’s so cold; what if you catch a cold?"

Luna stared at him fixedly, speaking with no expression.

"I dreamed of my mother yesterday, so I came to see for her what kind of end those who betray others meet."

Hearing this, a flash of panic crossed Caleb's eyes, and he gulped a few times.

But quickly, he regained his composure and smiled dotingly. "Since you’ve seen what you came to see, let's go home. I bought you so many gifts on my trip abroad. Go take a look and see if you like them."

The two didn't linger and got into the car.

When they returned home, they just happened to see Sienna walking downstairs with her suitcase.

Seeing Luna, she smiled sweetly, then handed over a gift box. "Sister Luna, I'm moving out. It’s been a real bother staying at your house these past few days. This is a gift I carefully selected for you while you were hospitalized. You’ll definitely like it."

She emphasized the final sentence, her tone pointed and suggestive.

Before Luna could speak, Caleb reached out and grabbed Sienna's suitcase, looking at her. "Luna, I’ll drop her off; otherwise, I won't have an explanation for her brother. Stay home and be good, and I’ll be back to keep you company as soon as I’m done, okay?"

Luna didn't speak, just watched their retreating figures in silence.

Not until the car had completely vanished from sight did she reach out and slowly open the gift Sienna had given her.

The moment the lid was slightly lifted, a pungent scent of semen wafted out.

Her hand paused for a few seconds before she took the lid off completely.

The box was stuffed with used condoms.

One, two, three... thirty-six...

During the days she was hospitalized, Caleb and Sienna had slept together thirty-six times!

Luna thought she should feel pain.

But in the end, she just laughed and laughed, until the tears fell.

She looked at the swirling snow outside the window, put the box away, and placed it in Caleb’s study.

Right in the spot where he would see it the moment he returned.

Chapter 8

The second to last day, Caleb still did not return.

But Luna knew that he had gone to a dance party today to act as Sienna's temporary boyfriend.

She didn't ask about his whereabouts; instead, she hired a cleaning service to tidy up the entire house.

To be precise, she cleared out everything that had to do with her.

From small items like towels, toothbrushes, and water cups to large ones like clothes, cosmetics, and jewelry—the inexpensive things were thrown away, and those with some value were donated to charities.

Looking at the villa as it slowly emptied, her heart settled down.

She would no longer feel heartache for someone unworthy.

Nor would she harbor any more attachment.

At night, the snow began to fall again.

Luna sat before the fireplace and edited two videos.

The first was a compilation of all the romantic videos she and Caleb had filmed over the years.

The second was the collection of intimate videos Sienna had been sending her of herself and Caleb recently.

After she finished editing, dawn broke.

She sent these two videos to the business manager of the central square and transferred a sum of money over.

"Hello, tomorrow, please help me broadcast these two videos back-to-back, on a loop, across the entire city."

On the very last day, the moment Luna opened her eyes, she saw Caleb.

He kissed her cheek, his tone full of joy. "Luna, happy birthday!"

Only then did Luna remember that today was her twenty-sixth birthday.

What a coincidence; it was also the day she would thoroughly vanish from his world.

Looking at the newly decorated living room and the massive birthday cake, Luna smiled faintly. She really wanted to ask him: doesn't he get tired of acting like this every day?

Finishing his "love" for Sienna, he rushed back home without pause to "love" her.

She sat up. "You've been so busy with work lately, do you even have time to spend my birthday with me?"

Caleb raised a hand to ruffle her hair, his eyes crinkling into a smile. "Luna, what are you saying? You know perfectly well that no one in the world compares to you. It's your birthday—even if the sky were to fall, I would still be here with you."

Is that so?

Luna smiled and said nothing.

All day long, Caleb was busy in the kitchen.

From fruit to beverages, from the various dishes to the dessert, he handled it all himself.

Suddenly, Caleb’s phone, sitting on the table, rang.

Luna saw the message Sienna had sent at a glance.

It was a mirror selfie in a maid outfit, accompanied by a suggestive remark.

"It's my safe period today, we don't have to wear anything."

Luna glanced at it and placed the phone back where it was.

At six-thirty in the evening, twenty dishes were prepared and set on the table.

Caleb waved at her. "Darling, come here. Husband is going to celebrate your birthday with you!"

Luna rose and walked over. After taking her seat, she handed him his phone.

"Your phone was ringing a moment ago."

Caleb laughed and said to ignore it, but the moment he unlocked the screen and saw the content, his gaze darkened, and his breathing became noticeably more rapid.

Luna watched him quietly.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

After three seconds of silence, he put the phone away and wore an apologetic expression on his face.

"Luna, something happened at the company, and I need to go check it out. Can you eat by yourself for a while? I'll be back in two hours."

"Two hours—will that be enough time to enjoy yourself?"

Caleb hadn't heard her clearly and turned back to ask what she had said.

Luna smiled. "It's nothing. Go."

Caleb, go find her.

You don't need to know that today is the last day you and I will ever spend together.

The fifteen-year-old Caleb possessed Luna.

But the twenty-seven-year-old Caleb will lose Luna forever.

Watching his car drive away, Luna finally walked out the door slowly.

The ground was covered in thick snow; she walked forward step by step, with great difficulty.

She walked step by step toward the giant central screen in the middle of the city, glanced at her wristwatch, and finally sent one last message to the manager.