Chapter 191
Chapter 191
The driver had originally planned to take them straight back to Seaside City—a journey of over two hundred miles that would take half a day. But Bella refused, and after some consideration, Edward decided to let her go.
Bella returned to Seaside City alone. It wasn't long before Fallon called about her departure from the engagement party, "Bella, they're saying you left Wallace at the engagement party and took off by yourself?"
"I'm not getting married anymore," Bella replied calmly. She'd spent days thinking things through. She had tried to force herself to love someone else, but couldn't do it.
"That's completely unacceptable!" Fallon's voice shot up. "Everyone's been notified! Never mind what people will think about you canceling at the last minute—what about Rachel? How will you explain this to them?"
Bella remained silent. She'd anticipated this—breaking the engagement would hurt Rachel, who had been so good to her. But even so, Bella wouldn't change her mind.
"I won't be coming home for a few days," she finally told Fallon. "I'll speak with Aunt Rachel myself when I return."
After hanging up, Bella exhaled deeply. Though she'd prepared mentally, actually telling Fallon had been difficult.
Outside her window, snow began to fall—rare for this late in the season. As she watched the drifting flakes, a strange emotion welled up inside her, but she quickly suppressed it.
Before Wallace returned, Bella emptied the marital home of all her belongings and moved out. When he came back to find the place empty, unable to locate her, he grew increasingly anxious.
When he finally reached her by phone, Bella answered.
"Bella! Where are you? Why did you move all your things out? What about our engagement—you're coming back, right?" His voice betrayed obvious panic.
Standing at the entrance of the train station with her suitcase, Bella gazed up at the station sign. "I'm sorry, Wallace. I have to break my promise."
"I'll come find you right now..." Wallace's voice burst through the phone, desperate to salvage something. But he had no idea where she was, and even if he did, she would only avoid seeing him.
"Don't bother. I'm leaving for a few days. Please tell your mother I'm sorry, and I'll apologize to her properly when I return."
After a long silence, Wallace asked in a trembling voice, "Is it because of Edward?"
Bella's eyelashes fluttered slightly before she regained her composure. "Not entirely. A large part of it is me. I tried to convince myself to accept you, but I couldn't." She paused. "I'm a woman who believes in love. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but that's just who I am."
She couldn't accept a marriage without love—she didn't want to live a life following a predetermined script.
Wallace tried to say more, but Bella quickly ended the call, "Goodbye." With one last glance at the bustling crowd, she pulled her small suitcase and entered the station.
This time, she was going to explore the world on her own.
Goodbye, Seaside City.
---
Bella traveled far, settling in a small county town surrounded by golden wheat fields. During her first week, she rented a small house, but finding it too confining, she soon leased a storefront and opened a tiny convenience store—mainly to pass the time.
One day, after the delivery driver had left, Bella sat in her chair and noticed an important date reminder on her phone:
[February 12th, Edward's Birthday]
They used to celebrate together. But this year, that wouldn't be possible.
Bella sighed, then called a courier service to send out something she'd prepared long ago. Before they'd separated, she had already bought Edward's birthday gifts for the next five years. These things served no purpose sitting with her—better to send them on.
"Excuse me, is it possible to send this anonymously?" she asked the courier, who nodded after a curious glance.
---
A few days later, Vanguard Innovations Group received a package addressed to Edward.
In his quiet office, Edward stared at the anonymous package, his face unreadable.
"Mr. Mellon, this is definitely for you..." his assistant said, cautiously pushing the box forward. Though startled when it first arrived, he had confirmed Edward was indeed the intended recipient.
Edward seemed to have guessed who sent it. He dismissed his assistant with a wave, and once alone, opened the box.
Inside lay a dark green tie in an elegant package, pristine and clearly selected with care.
Edward suddenly remembered Bella asking him last year what color he liked.
He hadn't given it much thought then, casually mentioning a color he found acceptable. Bella had seemed disappointed but said nothing.
For his birthday that year, she had given him a pocket watch with a photo frame inside. That watch still hung close to Edward's heart, though because he disliked having his photo taken, it contained only Bella's picture.
Edward clutched the watch and called his assistant back, "It's been almost two months. You still haven't found where she went?"
The assistant smiled wryly. Edward had been asking this question almost daily. But it wasn't a simple task.
The last time they'd located her, it was because Bella's phone had location services enabled. This time, she'd even changed her SIM card.
"I'll keep trying, sir," he replied, though finding one person without direction was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Edward drummed his fingers on the desk, then suddenly said, "Check with the courier company."
The assistant's eyes lit up. Why hadn't he thought of that? They could trace Bella through the package! Though she'd sent it anonymously, the courier must have had contact with her.
With this new lead, the assistant rushed off to investigate while Edward put on the new tie.
Around the office, people noticed with wide eyes. "Is that really Mr. Mellon?"
"Of course it is. He just changed his tie. What's the big deal?"
"You don't understand! Mr. Mellon never changes his accessories!"