Chapter 13: Too Late

Liam’s death caused a massive uproar in Yangcheng.

Everyone speculated on what would become of the Liam Group now that it had lost its only heir.

Compared to the rumors outside, the shareholders' meeting inside the Liam Group was pure chaos.

"Now that Liam is dead, you want to burn bridges? Don't even think about it!"

A director threw the share transfer agreement to the ground, glaring viciously at Liam’s mother.

Liam’s mother smiled unhurriedly: "Harmony brings wealth. Why are you making things so difficult?"

As she said this, she paused intentionally to glance at the other directors, then let her smile return.

"Besides, I didn't force you to sell your shares. Everyone knows the stock price has plummeted recently. If the Shi Group is willing to pay a premium to buy them now, isn't that a good thing?"

After she finished speaking, the expressions of the four directors shifted as they began to recalculate their options.

After the meeting ended, Liam’s mother walked straight to the CEO’s office and pushed the door open.

Vivian, who had been sitting on the sofa, immediately stood up and walked over, affectionately linking her arm with the older woman’s.

"Auntie, are you done?"

Liam’s mother curled her lips in triumph and handed the three share transfer agreements to Vivian: "Go back and tell your father to wire the money to these three old fools so they stop bothering me."

Vivian flipped through the documents, her eyes gleaming: "Auntie, you are truly amazing. It was a wise choice marrying into the Liam family back then."

Liam’s mother huffed: "That Liam Zheng-sheng was a fool, but I didn't expect his son to be so clever—he nearly ruined my plans."

As she spoke, a hint of hatred remained in her eyes.

"No matter how clever he was, didn't you still have him killed in that staged accident? So don't be angry, Auntie."

Vivian gently massaged Liam’s mother’s shoulders, her face full of sycophancy.

Hearing this, the smile on the older woman’s face grew even wider: "Your mouth is truly sweet; you only know how to please me."

Vivian shook her head repeatedly: "It’s clearly because you are smart, Auntie, for successfully bringing the Liam Group into your hands. I’m going home now to tell my father the good news."

"You girl, you never can keep a secret. Drive carefully; the situation is tense lately."

Vivian gave a coy, sweet smile: "I know, Auntie. Take good care of yourself."

With that, she grabbed her bag and opened the door to leave the office.

The moment she stepped out, however, the smile on her face vanished completely.

After Liam’s accident, Elena spent most of her time in the library at Jinghua University.

Sometimes she would stay for an entire day.

This was the place where they had the most memories, and the place Elena dreamed of returning to most.

Aside from the college, her second favorite place was the Nostalgia Cafe.

Every week, Elena would message Clara to meet her there.

But most of the time, she liked to stare blankly out the window. If she looked for too long, her eyes would inexplicably redden.

"Elena, you always like to stare outside. I really don't know what’s worth looking at out there."

Clara muttered, puzzled.

Elena heard her and turned back, offering a gentle smile.

Even now, she still couldn't speak a word.

Books say that people only lose their voices when experiencing extreme joy or extreme sorrow.

Psychosomatic illnesses require psychosomatic medicine, but perhaps she would never find her cure in this lifetime.

Just as Elena was lost in thought, Clara bit her lip and spoke: "Actually, Liam might have loved you more than you realize."

Elena froze, looking at Clara in confusion—she didn't understand the words.

Clara took a few deep breaths before continuing: "In fact, way back when you were drunk, Liam had already anticipated that a day like this might come, so he entrusted me with taking care of you."

She paused, then lifted her gaze to look directly at Elena with great seriousness, emphasizing every word.

"You might curse me for saying this, but for the past seven years, Liam would ask me about your life every single day."

Chapter 14: Parting Ways

Elena remained frozen, disbelief written all over her face.

Seven years. She had thought they were completely severed, never imagining he would still be watching over her in his own way.

Clara watched Elena’s shocked expression and smiled slightly: "You don't believe it, do you? But these seven years are real."

"Elena, Liam hasn't missed a single day in these seven years."

How could someone who truly loved let go completely?

In reality, they were both just suppressing their longing, using the most hidden methods to keep track of each other’s happiness and sadness.

"Admit it, Elena. You’ve always loved Liam, too. Neither of you can ever truly let go of the other."

Clara’s words completely shattered Elena’s facade.

The love deeply buried in her heart transformed into tears, gathering in her eyes.

A voice roared within her heart.

Admit it. Elena, you never let him go. Admit that the only person you have ever loved is Liam.

Elena forced herself to ignore these voices, but longing was too agonizing; in the end, she couldn't escape.

Among all the words in the world, the word 'love' is the most tormenting.

She didn't know how long she had cried; when Elena regained her composure, it was already dusk outside.

She looked at Clara apologetically.

Clara waved her hand, her eyes filled with heartache: "You don't need to look at me like that. It’s good to cry. You’ve been so quiet and joyless lately, which is why I told you this."

She worried that if she didn't speak up, Elena would fall into an even deeper psychosomatic illness.

Long-term suppression was not conducive to the recovery from aphasia.

Though she couldn't speak, Elena looked at Clara with gratitude. She often felt lucky that when she had hit rock bottom, she still had a friend like this to pull her back.

Even if it wasn't the cure, it was at least a painkiller.

That night, when she got home, Elena saw a tall figure standing downstairs.

From her vantage point, the figure was facing exactly toward her room.

An immediate surge of annoyance rushed to her head. Elena didn't hesitate; she secretly took a photo, intending to keep it as evidence to show the security guard tomorrow.

Unfortunately, the moment she pressed the shutter, the flash went off.

Seeing her, the figure quickly ran into the darkness.

Elena didn't chase him; she turned and entered the building.

Once home and freshened up, Elena lay in bed and opened her phone gallery, staring at the blurry figure.

Because the photo was so grainy, she couldn't see the features, only the side profile.

When she zoomed in, Elena inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity, but she couldn't place who it was.

Plagued by this mystery, Elena drifted into sleep.

Late that night, two figures appeared downstairs.

"Liam, aren't you being a bit pathetic? You want to see your wife in the middle of the night and you drag me along too?" Xu Chen yawned, thoroughly confused.

Liam stared up at Elena’s room, only shifting his gaze after the light went out.

"It’s not convenient for me to appear in public right now, and I don't want those people targeting her."

Xu Chen became intrigued, the corners of his lips lifting: "This is rare. Liam, known in the industry as 'Shen Wansan,' worrying about a woman?"

Liam gave Xu Chen a cool, sidelong glance and turned to leave.

Xu Chen chased after him.

"Wait for me, Liam! I’m still a bit scared in the middle of the night!"

Xu Chen was afraid of nothing, except being alone in the dark.

Listening to Xu Chen’s wails behind him, Liam remained expressionless, but his pace quickened.

Chapter 15: Praying to Buddha

"If I look up at the starry sky and make a wish, will you be able to hear my call?"

This was a sentence Elena had once read in a book; ever since Liam passed away, she sat by the window every night to watch the stars.

If longing truly had a sound, Liam would have been deafened by it long ago.

Unfortunately, longing is silent, and she was the only one left behind, all alone.

For seven years, she had dreaded the deep of the night, for those hours would cause her to relive every little detail she had once shared with Liam.

After taking an old treasure chest from her closet, Elena sat down by the floor-to-ceiling window, holding it in her arms.

Opening the chest, inside were dozens of blue paper roses—Liam had folded them by hand just for her.

She had cherished them for eight years. She remembered Liam acting all arrogant and proud the first time he gave them to her.