Chapter 263

Chapter 263

"Attention passengers traveling to Asteria City, your flight will begin boarding shortly..."

The boarding announcement rang out across the terminal.

Anne bit her lower lip and looked deeply at Evan one last time before turning toward the gate.

Just as she was about to step into the jetway, she suddenly stopped. Anne whipped around and rushed back toward Evan, not even bothering with her luggage.

Before Evan could react, Anne crashed into his arms. She held tight to the man she'd missed so painfully, then stood on her toes and kissed him—deliberately, decisively.

Evan froze completely.

In those few seconds, they both cried. Years of buried feelings finally broke free, spilling out in their mingled breaths and hot tears.

Before leaving, Anne leaned close to his ear and left him with a quiet but firm promise.

"Evan, no matter when, as long as you need me, I'll be there."

Those words broke through Evan’s usual self-control.

Anne finally turned and walked through the gate, disappearing into the jetway. Evan stood alone in the airport, emotions surged up in him, impossible to hold back. He watched through the glass as the plane climbed into the clouds, and made a decision that felt almost sacred—

If his heart condition ever improved, if God gave him a chance to return to Asteria City, as long as Anne hadn't fallen for someone else, he would never hold back again.

He would go to her, following his heart, and never again betray what they'd hidden all these years.

But this beautiful vision of Evan and Anne's future ran completely counter to reality...

In reality, Edward collapsed onto the floor, clutching his chest and crying out in tearing pain.

"No... that's not right..."

In his imagination, love was restrained, promises were pure, and the ending was gentle like a movie.

But what was reality?

Reality was Anne dead at the wedding, lying in a pool of blood. And he, blinded by hatred, had unleashed all his pain and violence on innocent Victoria.

Edward remembered their wedding night. He'd gone crazy, forcing Victoria—who was severely allergic to blueberries—to swallow an entire slice of blueberry pie.

In reality, he'd grabbed Victoria by the throat. Her skin quickly broke out in terrible hives, and she curled up on the floor convulsing in pain. Her once bright, defiant eyes showed only desperate bloodshot despair and pleading, but he'd stood there coldly, mocking her for "faking it."

She'd taken all the blame for her sister, been cursed by her parents, tortured by him.

"It was me... I destroyed her... destroyed everyone..."

In reality, Edward gripped his hair hard, tears falling one by one onto the floor. The pain in his chest came in waves, like a hand twisting inside.

All the hurt and injustice Victoria had suffered in reality was now coming back to him.

Meanwhile, in the perfect fantasy Edward desperately maintained, another month had passed.

Asteria City.

After handling all the backlog at the Russell Group, Edward immediately boarded a private jet to Varellia.

The moment the plane landed, he got into the back of a Maybach and called Victoria.

She answered after three rings. Her voice came through sweet and soft.

"Edward?"

"Victoria." Edward's voice was low and hoarse from the long flight, but couldn't hide his pleasure. "I'm in Varellia. Are you free tonight? I'd like to take you to dinner."

Silence on the other end.

Then Victoria's apologetic voice came through.

"I'm sorry, Edward. I can't tonight. I need to attend a high-end industry gala with Mr. Savage to meet some senior jewelry designers. I won't be able to have dinner with you."

The instant he was turned down, disappointment flickered in Edward's eyes.

But in this fantasy, he didn't lose his temper or use violence to control her like in reality. He told himself he had to respect Victoria.

He hung up and immediately ordered Soren in the passenger seat coldly.

"Find out everything about the gala Tomas is attending tonight. Use our connections in Eurathia to contact the organizers. I want an exclusive invitation."

"Yes, Mr. Russell." Soren got right on it.

In reality, Edward trembled with pain.

He recalled Victoria's polite refusal in the fantasy, but his mind uncontrollably jumped back to reality—to when he'd locked Victoria in the old mansion's snake chamber.

In reality, when he'd learned Victoria was going to the design competition, what had he done?

He'd cut off ventilation to the chamber, played the recording of Anne's death over and over, forcing Victoria to scream and beg in oxygen deprivation and mental collapse.

He'd personally crushed her pride as a genius, then thrown her away like trash on a deserted island in a rainstorm, where she'd developed a high fever and nearly died.

"Victoria... I'm sorry... please forgive me..." In reality, Edward buried his face in his hands, crying like a child who'd lost everything.

In the fantasy, several hours later.

A luxurious castle-style venue in downtown Varellia blazed with lights. Crystal chandeliers lit up the whole space, with soft classical music drifting through the air.
Edward changed into a custom suit, his hair slicked back neatly, and entered the hall.

His commanding presence and strikingly handsome face immediately drew the attention of several Eurathian socialites, but he acted as if he didn't notice. Edward's gaze swept quickly through the guests, searching for that familiar figure.

He spotted her soon enough.

Near the champagne tower, world-renowned jewelry master Tomas was discussing creation and philosophy with several industry luminaries. Victoria stood quietly beside her mentor, listening carefully and intently, not interrupting, but absorbing information with every glance.

Tonight, Victoria was breathtakingly beautiful.

She wore a floor-length white evening gown, the silk fabric hugging her curves. Around her slender neck was a simple diamond necklace that caught the light like a restrained line of fire.

She was no longer the numb, hollow shell from reality. She had vitality, she was radiant—she was the second Miss Windsor, and a true design genius.

But Edward's gaze turned cold the instant he saw the man beside Victoria.

Jasper.

As Victoria's classmate, Jasper was also dressed in a white suit tonight, staying by her side. Victoria's train was too long and awkward to navigate through the crowd, so Jasper naturally bent down, periodically adjusting the hem when it got stepped on or caught.

“Watch out, Victoria,” he said gently, his voice full of clear affection.
Victoria turned and gave Jasper a bright smile. "Thank you, Jasper."

Then they leaned in close, quietly discussing the faceting technique of some jewelry piece. They stood very close, their conversation flowing with the kind of rhythm that comes from practice. When they got excited, they exchanged a knowing smile.

It was the kind of shorthand only fellow designers shared, and it quietly shut everyone else out.

Passing guests, seeing Tomas's two excellent students interacting so naturally, smiled with warm approval.