Chapter 4

When Cynthia opened her eyes again, she was in a hospital room. No one was by her side. She stared at the stark white surroundings, her heart void of emotion. From outside the room, faint voices drifted in. It was Luna. "I'm here to see Cynthia. She won't be upset to see me, will she?" Patrick's voice followed. "She won't. With me here, she wouldn't dare." The next moment, the door creaked open. Standing there were Patrick, Gavin, and Luna. "Cynthia, you're awake." Seeing her awake, Patrick and Gavin hurried to her bedside, their faces filled with concern. Cynthia glanced at them indifferently, choosing silence. Patrick, uneasy, spoke first. "Cynthia, don't blame Gavin and me. The situation was urgent, and besides, you can swim. Luna was in more danger than you." At his words, Cynthia's eyes dimmed, lifeless. What concern, what urgency—what nonsense. Luna was the one who could swim. Cynthia had never learned. Patrick faltered under Cynthia's piercing gaze, struggling to continue. Before he could, Luna's eyes welled up, her voice soft and trembling. "It's all my fault, Cynthia. Don't blame Mr. Patrick or Gavin. They only ignored you because they were trying to save me." Cynthia tightened her grip on the sheets, her eyes fixed on Luna. "Why did you pull me into the water?" A flicker of panic flashed in Luna's eyes, but she quickly composed herself. "I slipped. It was an accident. I didn't mean to pull you in. I'm sorry, Cynthia. Please don't be angry." Gavin stepped in to defend her. "Cynthia, Luna didn't do it on purpose. She's already explained everything to us." Cynthia's voice was cold and sharp. "Whether it was intentional, she knows best." Patrick frowned, the warmth in his eyes fading. "Do you have to be so aggressive? We're the ones who didn't save you. Don't blame Luna." Cynthia looked at the three of them, her gaze growing darker. "Fine. I understand. I'm tired and want to rest now." Her tone left no room for argument. Patrick and Gavin, both visibly annoyed, exchanged glances. Gavin's usually gentle face carried a hint of irritation. "Cynthia, I know you're upset with us, but don't take it out on Luna." Cynthia's reply was calm and detached. "Alright. I won't blame anyone anymore." Her words left Patrick and Gavin momentarily speechless. Sensing she no longer wanted to engage, the three of them had no choice but to leave. Once they were gone, Cynthia sat up and reached for her phone on the bedside table. She changed her Instagram cover photo from a picture of her and Patrick to a serene landscape. The profile picture, a personal sketch Patrick had drawn for her two years ago, was replaced without hesitation by a lotus flower. Then, she began deleting every photo and memory of Patrick and Gavin. All 1,856 pictures, spanning ten years, were erased in under a minute. Patrick and Gavin were no longer special to her. She had made up her mind to start over. Not long after, Patrick called. "Cynthia, why did you change the profile picture I drew for you? And the cover photo too?" Cynthia's tone was flat. "I got tired of them. Wanted something fresh." Patrick paused, clearly not expecting her response. "Those photos represent our memories. How could you just change them?" She dismissed it lightly. "I can always change them back next time." But there wouldn't be a next time. Shortly after ending the call, Cynthia dialed her biological mother. "I've decided. I'll leave in a week to meet you in New York." A week would be enough to handle her music academy withdrawal and her contract termination with the company. Just then, Gavin returned, carrying an elegant meal. "Leave? Where are you going?"