Chapter 6 No.6

After getting drenched in the rain, Ava felt dizzy when she got home. She took a quick shower and fell into a deep sleep.

For the next few days, she was the only one in the mansion. She had grown used to it and no longer cared about Ethan's whereabouts.

She received a message from her father with her flight information and the arrangements for him to pick her up.

She checked the calendar. There were only seven days left.

Her departure date was Ethan's birthday.

Leaving was her final gift to him.

A few days later, she packed her remaining belongings and contacted a donation service to pick up the things she couldn't take with her.

Just as the delivery person was taking inventory, Ethan came home.

What are you doing? he asked.

Ava filled out the form, gestured for the delivery person to leave, and calmly explained, "Just getting rid of some old clothes."

Ethan frowned. He felt that she had changed a lot. There was a sense of emptiness.

Chloe and I are living in our downtown apartment now. It's quieter there, he informed her.

Ava nodded slightly. Without her, it would indeed be quiet.

She subconsciously asked, "Can I come to your birthday party? This will be the tenth year."

Ethan didn't want to talk about it. He pushed his suitcase past her and left, slamming the door behind him.

Ava's heart trembled, and her eyes turned red.

She went back to her room and habitually opened her nightstand drawer to look at the torn painting, but it was empty.

She had thrown it away.

All that was left in the drawer was an old sketchbook.

She took it out. Every page was filled with drawings of Ethan.

She remembered him holding her hand and saying, "I'll take you home."

She remembered him putting a gold medal around her neck and saying, "You are my glory."

She remembered him giving her a rose and saying, "I'll wait for you to grow up."

She would have to scrape those memories from her heart, one by one.

The last page of the sketchbook was blank. She usually drew a picture of them together every year. This year, she decided to draw him and Chloe.

She sketched carefully and meticulously until dusk fell.

The sound of the front door unlocking broke the silence. She saw Ethan stumble in, reeking of alcohol.

Are you okay? she asked, rushing to support him.

Ethan leaned heavily on her, his arm wrapping around her waist.

Then, his scorching lips pressed against hers.