Chapter 3

Erin didn't expect Dawn to do that. But as long as Dawn was willing to leave, Erin gladly accepted it.

Dawn was gently cleaning Maya's body while speaking words of farewell. "You might not be able to attend my wedding with Blaine." I don't want to marry him anymore. I'd better let go of the past obsessions."

Blaine would find another woman who could side with him on his bright future.

Maya would have enough medicine to stay alive.

Dawn had loved Blaine deeply. But she would try to rediscover herself step by step.

From then on, she wouldn't fret over Blaine having another woman.

She wouldn't wait in the living room for the door to unlock. She wouldn't reheat dinner for him every time he came home late.

She would never worry about Blaine complaining about the fish smell on her.

Maya's breathing with difficulty interrupted Dawn's thoughts.

Maya's gaunt face twisted in pain, and sweat formed on her palms.

Dawn hurriedly tried to press the emergency button, but her vision blurred due to low blood sugar. She couldn't find her way even when it was only a foot away.

She felt like a helpless animal, and her body felt weak and unresponsive.

The sound of leather shoes on the floor echoed behind her. Blaine entered carrying flowers and fruit. He came to visit Maya as usual.

He saw Maya's pained expression and Dawn curling up by the bedside. His face changed instantly.

He rushed to the bed, pressed the emergency button, and opened a drink. He hurriedly offered it to Dawn.

His actions were smooth. He had done it countless times before.

"Why haven't you had meals regularly again?" he asked.

He was a little annoyed and looked worried.

The sugary drink tasted bitterly sweet as it went down her throat. After a moment, Dawn could see clearly the scene before her eyes.

"Thank you," Dawn said politely yet distantly.

Blaine watched her stubborn demeanor and felt uneasy. "We're having our wedding in a few days. Don't be so formal with me."

She heard him mention the wedding and gave a bitter smile.

They had planned to get married on her twenty-eighth birthday, but she had booked a flight for the very day. She was ready to leave.

Seeing her distraction, Blaine frowned and asked, "Have you not had meals for days again? How can you starve yourself like this? Is something bothering you? Is your eating disorder acting up again?"

Years ago, when Maya fell ill, Dawn worked tirelessly to support Blaine's music studies. She went to fish at dawn, sold fish by day, and fished late at night. She often forgot to have meals. During the stressful times, she developed an eating disorder.

Blaine set nine alarms a day to ensure she had meals. He always had candies in his pocket for her.

Later, he even learned to cook, using his hand, which played the piano, to cook for her.

Watching Blaine busy in the kitchen, Dawn had thought they would care for each other forever.

But recently, he had started adding ingredients she was allergic to and Erin liked.

Dawn felt a deep-seated resistance to Blaine's intimate moves.

She pushed his hand away, and Blaine felt irritated. He wanted to pat her head, but she dodged once again.

Previously, Dawn would act like a docile kitten after an episode. But she was particularly distant this time.

Blaine had a strange feeling.

But he didn't have much time to ponder, as his alarm rang.

It reminded him of his plan to see a musical with Erin.

Blaine furrowed his eyebrows and draped his coat over Dawn. He got up to leave while talking to her. "Maya is being taken for treatment. You remember to take care of yourself and call me if anything comes up."

He left hurriedly, and Dawn felt a dry constriction in her throat. She couldn't voice her farewell to him.

In fact, it was Maya's birthday that day.

Blaine had promised to celebrate it with Maya every year.

Dawn held Maya's slightly cold hand and blew out the birthday candles by her bedside.

Outside the window, fireworks blossomed and formed Blaine's name.

Blaine had ultimately failed to keep his word. He didn't celebrate Maya's birthday but watched the fireworks with Erin.

Dawn stared out of the window for a long time. She eventually removed the ring from her finger and tossed it into the trash can.

Maya held her close and felt sorry for her. Gently patting Dawn's back. Maya said, "Dawn, you should have been happy."

Indeed, Dawn should always be happy, as he was so passionate when she was a young girl.

Dawn and Maya blew out the candles together. They silently wished for their hopes to come true.

Since the summer she found Blaine, the little mute boy, at eighteen, Dawn's wishes had multiplied to two.

She wished Maya to be healthy and Blaine to achieve his dreams.

But she no longer thought about Blaine's career this year.

Her sole wish now was for her own happiness in the future.

She would no longer watch fireworks with him.

He had another woman with him now.