Scarlett’s heart skipped a beat as Nathaniel looked up at her and said coolly, “If you have a fever, you should rest at home, not wander around outside.”
The Swiss doctors respected patient privacy and hadn’t told Nathaniel about her condition.
Scarlett came to her senses and sighed with relief. “I know. Thank you.”
“Sick people need someone to look after them,” Nathaniel said, glancing at her. “I couldn’t reach your parents.”
Scarlett paused for a long moment before saying quietly, “They’re gone now.”
Nathaniel froze. “What do you mean?”
Scarlett looked out the window, her expression distant.
“Two months after we broke up, my parents died in a car accident.”
Then two months later, she was diagnosed with her illness, followed by endless chemotherapy sessions and a darkness with no end in sight.
Nathaniel’s expression went blank as he stared intently at Scarlett’s face.
After a long silence, he finally loosened his grip on his fingers and spoke hoarsely, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
Scarlett gave a bitter laugh. “We’re not connected anymore. It has nothing to do with you.”
Nathaniel fell silent again. He lowered his eyes and placed a food container beside Scarlett.
“Eat something first.”
Scarlett opened it to find all her favorite dishes inside.
Her heart trembled violently. She slowly took a few bites, feeling her nose start to sting. The more she ate, the more painful it became.
She put down her fork and asked Nathaniel, “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
Nathaniel’s eyes darkened, but he still spoke up: “Riley was happy to meet you… so I hope you’ll reconsider being her bridesmaid. I’ll take care of the visa issues, and if you have any other requests, feel free to ask.”
Scarlett tightened her fingers. “Do you want me to come too?”
“I don’t want to disappoint Riley.”
Scarlett was speechless, feeling the previously delicious food turn bitter in her mouth.
Huh, Nathaniel, I never knew you could be so cruel.
First the heartless breakup, and now this ruthless demand that she witness his marriage to another woman.
Scarlett’s vision blurred. She sniffled and looked away. “Fine, but only if you agree to one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Take a photo of me.”
Though it seemed like a simple request, Nathaniel frowned slightly.
Apparently, he still remembered their previous discussion about “cheating.”
Back then, she had half-jokingly told Nathaniel, “If we get married and you ever cheat on me, I’ll take everything—the house, the car—and leave you with nothing.”
It had just been a joke.
But Nathaniel had looked at her seriously and said, “If that day ever comes, bring our photos to my wedding and expose me as the scumbag I am, so I’ll lose all respect and credibility.”
Back then, neither of them had imagined that day would actually come.
Seeing Nathaniel’s conflicted expression, Scarlett’s eyes welled up. “Don’t worry, it’s just a normal photo.”
Just a normal photo. For my obituary.
Despite knowing about Nathaniel’s betrayal, despite once discussing how to get revenge, she still couldn’t bring herself to do anything when she saw him again.
Scarlett wanted to take her final photo by Lake Geneva, with the majestic Alps in the background.
The next day, Nathaniel drove to pick her up. When they reached the lakeside, Scarlett realized Riley was there too.
Scarlett froze, and Riley smiled at her:
“Nate told me you agreed to be my bridesmaid. I’m so happy! But Nate isn’t good at taking photos, so let me take one for you instead.”
Scarlett fell silent. Anyone could take the photo, but remembering the picture she’d seen in the bar last night…
She hesitated. “I’d prefer if Nathaniel took it.”
She wanted a small, petty revenge—just this once…
Nathaniel observed her silently for a moment, then told Riley, “I’ll take it quickly.”
Scarlett stood by the lake where the wind was a bit chilly.
She pressed her lips together, forcing a smile, trying her best to look happy.
Just as Nathaniel pressed the shutter, Riley suddenly clutched her ch//est and called out, “Nate, I don’t feel well…”
Then Scarlett watched as Nathaniel’s expression changed instantly. He immediately put down the camera, rushed to Riley’s side, and anxiously lifted her into his arms, heading straight for the car.
“I’ll take you to the hospital.”
Scarlett stood there stunned, watching as Nathaniel carried Riley to the car.
Then with the roar of the engine, they disappeared from her sight in seconds.
After a while, Scarlett picked up the camera and looked at the photo.
It was a blurry image where her face was barely visible.
This would be her final photograph.
Looking at it, Scarlett felt the cold wind rush through her body, chilling her to the bone.
Eventually, she put the camera away and took a taxi to the assisted suicide facility.
“The contract states that the deceased can make one final wish before death,” she told the staff member.
The staff member nodded. “Yes, we’ll do our best to fulfill it.”
Scarlett smiled faintly, hiding the tears in her eyes.
She quietly told the administrator, “I want Nathaniel Blackwell to be a pallbearer at my funeral.”
