Moonlit Mountain (Caleb and Sarah)

"The Remains of Summer) Chapter 24

Menu

As Amelia closed her phone and stood up, the housekeeper entered, looking

flustered."Miss Lincoln, there are people here claiming to be your parents. They

want to see you."

Amelia frowned."My parents?"

The housekeeper explained. Her estranged parents, both remarried with new families, had apparently heard rumors of her survival and return. After

abandoning her during her darkest hour, they now wanted to reconnect.

Amelia listened impassively. Liam put his arm around her. "They're not here

to see you. They want something from the Lin family."

Amelia looked at him, confused. He chuckled, tapping her nose."Your father'

s company

is on

on the

verge of bankruptcy, and your mother's new husband's

business is failing. They tried contacting me, but I ignored them. Now they're

trying their luck with you."

Amelia wasn't surprised. Their abandonment during the divorce had spoken volumes. They'd moved on, built new lives, new families. Their love for her, if it ever existed, was long gone.

She shook her head, dismissing the housekeeper, then turned and went

upstairs. She didn't care about their reaction.

0.0%

<<

Menu

Outside, her parents erupted in angry disbelief when told she wouldn't see

them. The housekeeper looked at them coldly. "You weren't there for her when

she needed you. You have no right to demand anything from her now." They fell silent, shamefaced.

A month passed. Liam introduced Amelia to his family and friends,

showering her with warmth and affection.

On the day they returned to New Zealand, the sun was shining. They bid

farewell to their friends and boarded the plane.

In a hospital ICU, as if sensing Amelia's departure, a tear rolled down Ethan' s cheek.

He remembered Amelia's words the day she "died." If he ever fell in love

with someone else, he should tell her, and she wouldn't fight him. But if he lied,

she would disappear forever.

He'd lied. And she was gone.

A sharp pain pierced his chest. He gasped for air. The heart monitor beeped frantically. Doctors rushed in.

The clock ticked. The heart monitor flatlined.

The doctor sighed, even though he'd seen death many times before. Ethan's

<

vitals had been stable. This was unexpected.

"Notify the family."

Menu

Amelia and Liam attended Ethan's funeral, standing silently under a black umbrella, watching the somber procession, the lowering of the casket, the scattering of flowers, the placing of the headstone.

One by one, mourners approached the grave, bowing their heads in silent tribute, then leaving.

Finally, only Amelia and Liam remained.

After a long silence, Amelia walked towards the headstone, her gaze

the photo.

A youthful Ethan, smiling, his eyes full of love and hope.

fixed on