Chapter 3: A Future Without You

The dining room of the McLaren residence fell into complete silence.

Every pair of eyes landed on Emil.

He remained seated for several seconds, unable to process what his mother had just said.

"Penelope... refused the engagement?" he asked slowly.

Mrs. McLaren nodded.

"She said she no longer wishes to marry you."

"She also said she's leaving Bellamore tomorrow."

"Leaving?"

Emil frowned.

"Where is she going?"

"Wanoki Island."

"She didn't explain much."

"She only thanked us for taking care of her all these years."

Mr. McLaren quietly placed his teacup on the table.

"Perhaps we've neglected that child for too long."

"She's always been alone."

"Maybe this is her way of finding herself."

Emil let out a cold laugh.

"Finding herself?"

"She's probably trying another trick to gain attention."

"She knows everyone expects us to get married."

"This is just another one of her games."

Although his voice sounded confident, an unfamiliar feeling lingered in his chest.

Something didn't feel right.

Penelope had chased him for over ten years.

She had never once spoken about leaving Bellamore.

She would never willingly walk away from him.

At least...

That was what he believed.

"Call her back," Mrs. McLaren said firmly.

"If there's been a misunderstanding, clear it up before it's too late."

"There's nothing to clear," Emil replied.

"She'll come back on her own."

"She always does."

Back in my apartment...

The early morning sunlight poured through the curtains.

The room looked almost empty.

Two suitcases rested neatly beside the front door.

Everything else had either been donated or packed into storage.

For the first time since moving here, the apartment no longer looked like a shrine dedicated to Emil McLaren.

It finally looked like a place that belonged to me.

I picked up the framed photograph that had remained on the bedside table.

It showed Emil and me during high school graduation.

He stood confidently with one hand in his pocket.

I stood beside him, smiling so brightly that anyone could mistake us for a happy couple.

Only I knew the truth.

He had agreed to take that picture only because our teachers insisted.

Without hesitation, I removed the photograph from the frame.

The paper tore cleanly down the middle.

His half went into the trash bin.

Mine stayed in my wallet.

"Goodbye," I whispered.

Just then, my phone vibrated.

Emily was calling.

"Penelope!"

"Where are you?"

"At home."

"Don't leave yet!"

"Why?"

"Emil is looking for you."

My hand paused.

"Looking for me?"

"He went to your apartment this morning."

"When he couldn't find you, he called almost everyone we know."

"People are saying he looks angry."

I smiled faintly.

"Angry?"

"That's understandable."

"He's not used to people leaving him."

"Penelope..." Emily said carefully.

"Are you really not going to see him one last time?"

"No."

"Not even to explain?"

"There's nothing left to explain."

"I've already made my decision."

After ending the call, I switched off my phone completely.

There was nothing left tying me to Bellamore.

An hour later...

Bellamore International Airport buzzed with travelers preparing for their morning flights.

I stood quietly near the departure gate holding my boarding pass.

"Flight 307 to Wanoki Island now boarding," the announcement echoed.

My heart beat a little faster.

This wasn't fear.

It was anticipation.

I was stepping into a future I had never experienced before.

As I walked toward the boarding gate, a familiar voice suddenly called out behind me.

"Penelope!"

My footsteps slowed.

I recognized that voice instantly.

It belonged to Daniel Moore.

One of Emil's closest friends.

He hurried toward me, slightly out of breath.

"I finally found you."

"Emil's been searching everywhere."

"Congratulations," I replied calmly.

"Penelope..."

"He's waiting outside."

"Come talk to him."

"No."

"Just five minutes."

"No."

"He's your fiancé."

"Not anymore."

Daniel stared at me in disbelief.

"You actually mean it?"

"Completely."

"Do you know how worried Aunt Helen is?"

"She thinks you've been bullied."

"She wasn't wrong," I answered softly.

"Only... it wasn't recent."

"It happened for many years."

Daniel opened his mouth to respond but found no words.

"Take care of Emil," I said politely.

"From today onward..."

"He's no longer my responsibility."

Without waiting for another reply, I handed my boarding pass to the airport attendant.

"Have a pleasant flight," she smiled.

"Thank you."

As I stepped onto the boarding bridge, sunlight poured through the large glass windows overlooking the runway.

It felt as though I were leaving not just a city...

But an entire lifetime behind.

Meanwhile...

Outside the airport entrance...

A black luxury sedan came to a sudden stop.

Emil stepped out before the driver had fully parked.

"Where is she?" he demanded.

Daniel walked toward him slowly.

"You're too late."

"She already boarded."

Emil looked toward the runway.

A passenger aircraft had already begun moving.

"She actually left..." he murmured.

"She refused to see you."

"She said you're no longer her responsibility."

For the first time in years, Emil felt something unfamiliar.

It wasn't anger.

It wasn't annoyance.

It was an uncomfortable emptiness.

He stared as the airplane accelerated down the runway.

Seconds later...

It disappeared into the bright blue sky.

Far above the clouds, I sat beside the window.

The city of Bellamore grew smaller and smaller beneath us.

I quietly took off the silver engagement ring I had worn since childhood.

It had never been an official promise.

Only a childish token exchanged by two innocent children.

Yet I had foolishly treasured it for over a decade.

I looked at it one final time.

Then I dropped it into the small trash bag beside my seat.

"Miss?" the flight attendant asked gently.

"Are you sure you want to throw that away?"

I smiled peacefully.

"Yes."

"I'm making room..."

"For a better future."

The airplane continued flying toward Wanoki Island.

Neither Emil nor I knew it yet...

But the moment that ring left my hand...

Our lives had officially begun moving in completely different directions.