Chapter 7
Nina pressed her lips together, not even sure what she was feeling anymore. Julian looked at her, confused wrong? She forced a faint smile and looked up. " Nothing." He stared at her for a moment, then leaned down and whispered something to Samantha. Samantha nodded and walked off, heels clicking softly down the hall. Once she was out of sight, Julian stepped forward and handed Nina an envelope. She opened it and froze. A plane ticket.
"Once the wedding's over," Julian said, his tone calm but firm, "you should head home." Nina's breath caught. "You think I'm going to ruin your marriage? "He didn't answer directly. "I don't want anything unexpected happening between me and Samantha." A sharp pain twisted in Nina's chest. She blinked hard, trying to stop the tears building behind her eyes. But she couldn't. She didn't have the time or energy to fight anymore. She let out a slow breath, met his eyes, and said softly, "Julian..." He looked down at her, his gaze unreadable. Her throat tightened under the weight of his stare. She stayed silent for a long moment, then gave him a small, trembling smile. "I wish you a lifetime of happiness - with her." After he left, Nina returned to her hotel room and sat down at the table. The leftover birthday cake was still there.
The frosting had melted, and the chocolate shavings were scattered across the tabletop. She stood for a while, then sat down and slowly began eating what was left, bite by bite. It was past midnight. Today was her birthday. "Happy birthday, Nina. You're going to die on your birthday," she murmured to herself. Nina stared at the empty room as she took the last bite. Her face was soaked in silent tears. Twenty - seven years. That was all she had. And tomorrow, it would come to an end.
The next morning, Nina checked out of the hotel early. Aspenridge was small. As soon as she stepped outside, she saw a row of wedding cars lined up along the street. Banners in gold lettering decorated the hoods: Congratulations Julian Ford and Samantha Brooks on Your Wedding. Nina stared at them for a moment, then turned and got into a cab headed for the medical center. Everything was ready.
The staff led her to a private room with a window view. From her bed, she could see the distant peaks of the Alps. One of the nurses handed her a small controller. "Once you push this," she said gently, "you'll fall asleep in about thirty seconds. After four minutes, you'll pass peacefully. If you change your mind, just slide the switch back." "If you have any messages or requests, we can help pass them along." Nina was quiet for a long time.
There was no one left who'd want to hear her final words. But eventually, she said something anyway, her voice quiet but unwavering. "When the person I asked arrives to bring me home," she said, "pease tell him... I want to be buried next to my parents." That way, she wouldn't be alone. Not anymore. She turned her head, gazing one last time at the blue sky beyond the window. Then, without hesitation, she pushed the switch. The liquid entered her veins, cold and quiet. It didn't hurt. But the chill spread fast, until she couldn't feel her fingers. Somewhere in the distance, she thought she heard bells. They rang out slow and clear, echoing like waves in a still lake. Julian's wedding must've started. On her birthday. On her death day. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she closed her eyes. And this time... she didn't open them again.
At the church- "We still can't reach Nina. What should we do?" Smantha was pacing near the altar, her brows furrowed. "he wedding starts in a few minutes. You don't think she backed out, do you?" Julian stared at his phone, frowning, then suddenly turned and headed for the door. "I'll go find her." "Wait - don't! "Samantha grabbed his arm. "We don't need a bridesmaid that badly. Don't delay the ceremony." He hesitated. A strange unease had been gnawing at him all morning. "I won't take long," he said. "I'll be back before it starts. "But as he moved, Samantha yanked his wrist, hard. " Julian!" Her voice cracked. "Don't forget what you promised me!" She clung to him with a desperate grip. "My parents, my brother - they're all dead because of you. You're really going to walk out on me now?" Julian froze, her words hitting him like a weight. His feet felt glued to the ground. Slowly, painfully, he lowered them back into place. Then the bells rang .
A deep, resounding chime that echoed through the forest and made birds scatter from the trees. Everyone inside the church turned toward the sound. Julian stared out the window, heart pounding. The bell tolled once. Then again. By the thirteenth chime, a heavy silence had fallen. It wasn't a call to celebration. It was a funeral bell - low, solemn, final. Panic flooded his chest, cold and consuming. Then the church speakers crackled to life. We have just received news of a guest from abroad who chose to pass away peacefully here in Aspenridge this morning," the voice announced solemnly. "Let us pray for her soul's journey to peace. Her name was- A pause . Then... "Nina Carter."
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