Julian raised an eyebrow, giving Alex a sidelong glance. “Clearly, the current one.”
Alex was about to say more when the sound of a wheelchair rolling broke through. Isabelle laughed lightly, covering her mouth. “How thoughtful of Chloe to hire actors overnight for our entertainment. It really is quite amusing.”
Alex’s tense expression relaxed, a “I knew it” look crossing his face.
“Tch.”
Julian couldn’t help but chuckle. The next second, he saw the red swelling on my forehead, and his smile froze.
ED
“Acting, huh? I like it.” Julian crooked a finger, and a swarm of bodyguards surged forward. “Next up, we’re going to demonstrate how to teach these rotten relatives a painful lesson.”
In the ensuing chaos, Julian swept me up with one arm and turned to leave.
I hooked my arms around his neck. “Quite the dramatic entrance.”
“Hmph, I was in such a rush to catch you, I didn’t even bother with much fanfare.”
“Oh, poor you,” I teased.
- 4.
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Having been neglected since childhood, I was actually a person deeply lacking in security and love. This flaw in my character even made me want to keep the baby I was carrying. Perhaps the life I nurtured with my own flesh and blood could love me unconditionally.
But I couldn’t control the aversion I felt towards this child, who also shared half of Alex’s blood. My mind was split in two, constantly tearing and gnawing at itself.
Lost in a daze, I wandered into an art exhibition. But the heavens had other plans, and halfway through, the entire venue suddenly lost power.
In the darkness, a single beam of light pierced the dome, falling directly onto the painting in front of me.
in an instant, my whole being resonated with it.
On the still–fresh canvas was an equally youthful girl. A pure white ballet dress, a slender, proud neck. The single ray of sunlight focused precisely on the girl.
It depicted the vibrant life force, breaking free from the mire and reaching for the sky.
The girl in the painting was me.
I had suppressed myself for too long, always longing for someone to definitively lead me to the light. Yet, I realized I was the sharpest blade to cut through any darkness.
My mind cleared completely. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and when I opened them again, the venue was brightly lit. Before leaving, I took one last look at the painting.
Title: *Ascension*
Artist: Ayu.
Finally, I touched my lower abdomen, and lay down on the operating table.
I didn’t want chains, no burdens, no byproducts of hurt. Instead of entrusting my emotions to others, I needed to love myself well.
After recovering, I traveled the world. I’d stay for a month or two in places I loved.
During the warm season of summer breezes, I watched the clouds drift by beneath the sycamore trees, the lake shimmering nearby. A Nightness infused my entire being, from my heart to my limbs. The pulse that had stirred within me since seeing that painting was louder than
the cicadas‘ chirps, clearly telling me: I wanted to dance.
10:26 AM
And so, the vast earth became my stage, and the murmuring water, my accompaniment.
Spin, leap.
My younger self tore open the self–made cocoon. The unsuppressed me finally blossomed completely in a foreign land where I knew no one.
After one dance, applause erupted behind me, lingering. I turned, meeting a pair of intensely emotional eyes.
A man with broad shoulders and a narrow waist knelt, leaning against a tree trunk. The painting in front of him had only a few strokes. He seemed to have been so engrossed that the paint on his brush had long since dried.
I smiled, thanking him, and turned to embark on my next adventure. From behind me, the man’s slightly urgent but certain voice called out: “My name is Julian Thorne! Don’t forget me next time we meet!”
Fate is a strange thing.
After seeing all the beautiful sights, the most comforting and peaceful place was still my home country.
Later, I opened a small shop by the lake.
It was a bookstore, a coffee shop, and a flower shop. Every day, I did whatever I felt like.
One beautiful, sunny afternoon, I was dozing off, leaning on the counter.
A shadow fell over my head.
The wind chimes hanging from the eaves jingled softly. I looked up, meeting a pair of charming eyes crinkling with amusement.
Julian chuckled. “We meet again, Swan Lady.”
