Chapter 37: Chapter 37

Around midnight, Fathia woke up. She could hear the sound of leaves rustling against each other, clear in her ears. It seemed like she hadn't had the chance to close the window. She had fallen asleep in exhaustion. Throughout the day, many new customers had come to her. This must be Jess's doing, putting up a bunch of reviews all over social media.

Jess always says that promotion is necessary. Without promotion, others wouldn't know what products she's selling. Just like Jess's new café. At the beginning of the opening, the promotions were really intense. Once it became stable enough, she only offered promos to her loyal customers. For new customers, the promo slots were limited.

And it worked out pretty well. Fathia didn't have to worry about promotion issues. Jess handled everything, and Fathia appreciated that. Ah... having a friend like Jess is truly a stroke of luck.

As she moved, a small groan escaped her. Her shoulder was a bit sore, her eyes reluctant to fully open. She just managed to close the window and wanted to go back to sleep. But as she lay back down, the portrait that had accompanied her every night caught her attention. Slowly, she tried to get closer. She picked up the frame that displayed the sweetest memory ever.

Her family. Whole and complete. With smiles so wide, a happiness that age hadn't diminished. Embracing each other, holding onto the feeling of belonging. She gently brushed over each one in the picture, including the beautiful woman standing on her father's right side. Felice, her sister. "Why am I still given the chance to experience the world?"

She lay down slowly, positioning her head just right for comfort. She closed her eyes for a moment while holding the portrait close to her chest. A fleeting memory of an event she would never forget surfaced.

"Fathia wants a new identity. Can Aunt help?"

She still remembers those words to this day. During the healing process, which she went through alone, she had pondered many possibilities and decisions she had to make. The command was clear, she had to stay away from Sebastian. And what that woman resembling Medusa had said made sense.

She was the source of the problem. What she understood were the reports related to the increased turnover and the policies Sebastian had implemented regarding the operations of Group Azure under his leadership. Soon, he would have full control. But... what she didn't know was what was actually happening within Group Azure.

Just that.

"Can you? As long as you stick to your words."

She knew Clara said that with calculation. Her gaze held a lot of doubt. Fathia, or now preferring her new name, Anne, was willing to bet. If Clara couldn't fulfill her wishes either, she wouldn't push it. She just needed to hide, but that new identity was truly necessary. Especially... that news was truly suffocating.

Watching and reading about her own funeral. Truly, she couldn't keep hearing all the reports about her. But her eyes were still curious about the tragedy that befell her.

"And one more thing, Aunt."

Clara's gaze turned unfriendly again. "What else?"

"I don't have anyone else besides Sebastian. Now that I can't meet him anymore, right? I just need the picture of my family in my room. I know, Aunt, you can do it, right?"

"Oh my God! You want so much!!!"

However, a week later, the picture ended up in her hands. Even though Fathia jokingly referred to Clara as the Nine-Tailed Fox, or now, Medusa, Clara never broke her promise. Everything she asked for, Clara fulfilled.

There was no reason for Fathia to refuse Clara's requests anymore. It seemed that the woman really loved Sebastian Sachdev. And in return for having her life saved, Fathia didn't have any other options.

"My decision... was right, wasn't it, Dad?" she asked softly. Her eyes were starting to well up as she gazed at the portrait of the middle-aged man she cherished. The one she always looked up to, even if she only briefly heard his advice. Ah... if only she knew that her time with her dad would only last until she turned fifteen, she would have cherished the advice they exchanged during their shared breakfasts.

"Now I have a flower shop. I don't really like business, Dad. Business is ruthless. I don't know anything, yet I have to do this," she complained. She wiped her wet cheeks. "I forgot, having a shop is the same as having a business, right, Dad?" she chuckled through her tears.

"I don't like the business world, Dad. I'm serious about that. I'm willing to let go of what I used to have. I'm at peace like this."

Those words weren't just directed at the happily smiling portrait. They were also meant to reassure herself that the choice she made was the truth. She just wanted peace. Without pressure. Enjoying her now-normal life. Just that.

So when the payment for the help she received came, she saw it as an opportunity to escape the trap that had bound her. It didn't matter if she let go of everything... as long as her peaceful life arrived. As long as the man who had been her support since her family was gone was safe. To live her days unburdened. His words still echoed, especially when his perfectly resonating words played smoothly in her mind.

"You are a burden."

True. He, Sebastian Sachdev, was her legal guardian. Who Clara also hurt intentionally on several occasions.

Though the pain still lingered to this day, no one knocked on her door anymore. Just notifications that he had returned from out of town. Or short messages reminding her not to tire herself out with school activities. Ah... let's not forget how caring Sebastian was towards her. Even though Clara's presence had driven a further wedge between them.

It's okay. It's okay. Fathia could withstand all of that, but now? There was nothing left to hold her back from her loss of Sebastian.

"Felice," she called softly. "Felice, please take care of Sebastian, okay? Make sure he's safe, okay?"

She didn't intend to wipe away the traces of tears that had appeared. "I... I... Oh God! I know very well that you love Sebastian, right? Why did I give it to Aunt Clara instead? Forgive me, Felice."

The sobbing turned into heart-wrenching cries. Her shoulders shook violently. Her tears flowed uncontrollably. Her position shifted from lying down to sitting, knees drawn up, burying herself in their fold. Sobbing. A mix of regret for her actions and the inability to do anything about it.

She herself didn't want to know why she was reported dead with such a terrifying headline.

"I let go so Sebastian could be safe, Felice. I'm right, aren't I?"

Strangely, the tears and the tightness in her heart didn't seem to lessen day by day. Whenever Clara came to mind, along with her family, and most importantly, the image of the man, she would burst into heavy tears. Like now.

"I love Sebastian, Felice. So much. Forgive me for having feelings like this for Sebastian."

Roughly wiping away the tears on her cheeks, she continued to ramble. "Even though people often say I look like Felice, I don't care. The most important thing for me is that Sebastian sees me, even if I'm sometimes mean." She spoke as if her older sister was right in front of her, listening to her heart's outpouring. "Forgive me, Sister."