Today is the day my brother and I will be leaving. Mom will join us in a week to take care of the necessary tasks here, such as selling our house and land. We've also decided to give a portion to Alice's family, who have been dedicated servants to us for a long time.
As we gather in the living room, it's clear that my brother and mom have something important to share. Breaking the silence, my brother drops a bombshell: "Dad has another family." They must be expecting me to break down in tears and feel miserable, but I surprise them by saying that I already know.
"How?" Mom asks, puzzled.
"Before Christmas last year, Logan and I went shopping for gifts at the mall. At that time, I thought I was seeing things. I saw someone who looked exactly like Dad, accompanied by a woman and a little boy. Since that day, I suspected something was wrong. It all started to make sense—the way he never visited us, his constant busyness, and his empty apologies. If he truly felt sorry for us, he would never have thought of cheating and tearing our family apart," I explain.
"Krystal, he's still your dad," Mom scolds me.
"I understand that, but I can't look at him the same way anymore. I'm sorry, Mom, but in my eyes, my real dad died the moment he chose the other family," I express.
"Child..." Mom's voice holds sadness.
My brother speaks up, supporting my viewpoint. "Mom, Krystal is right. Dad is an asshole. Because of his affair with his secretary, our business went bankrupt. Now he wants to take over our business in Azura, but I won't let him," he declares.
"Dad's secretary is his mistress?" I ask, shocked by this revelation.
I can't fathom how people are capable of destroying a once-happy family. I curse my father for succumbing to temptation. I won't be foolish enough to blame everything on the mistress; they both committed a sin.
"Yeah, it's true that we faced financial difficulties, but it wasn't to the extent of being here. Mom brought you here because we knew you would be hurt if you found out the truth," my brother reveals.
"I'm stronger now. I can face the truth, but I don't want to see him. I'm not prepared," I admit.
My brother nods, acknowledging my progress. "We're proud of how brave you've become. Don't worry, you'll continue everything in Azura."
I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing I won't have to see Dad for now. I'm not sure if the little respect I have left for him will remain if I ever do see him again.
I engage in a conversation with Alice, explaining that she'll be accompanying me to Azura. It turns out we still have a substantial business, although not as wealthy as before. We pretended to struggle to cover up for Dad.
"But as they say, there's no secret that won't be revealed, right?" I remark.
"Are you serious about bringing me along?" Alice asks, her excitement evident.
"Of course, and you can also return to Clayland. Your parents can visit you when we arrive in Azura. Isn't that your dream?" I suggest.
She nodded eagerly. "Definitely! Especially since I'll be with your brother." Her flirtatious nature emerges.
"Well, then everyone will be happy," I respond. Suddenly, her smile fades.
"You'll be okay too. Just think of Logan as a big, ugly nightmare in your life. Sometimes, we encounter people who only teach us life lessons," she advises, being the supportive best friend she always has been.
"I know. I'm just joking. I'm happy for you and my brother. As for when my wounds will heal... I'm not confident about that. They still ache, but miraculously, with each passing day, I'm finally accepting it," I confide.
"Of course, you're a brave person," she reassures me.
Facing reality is hard for me, and it's not the happy ending I initially imagined. However, I believe this scar serves a greater purpose. It will heal, and in the future, everything will be alright.
Even though I'm leaving, I still need to bid farewell. Despite the pain and wounds I've endured in Clayland, I can't deny that this place was once my home, not just because of Logan, but also because of the people I've met here.
I suggest having a sleepover in the living room before we depart. Our living room is spacious, and my brother is there to oversee everything. We've prepared plenty of food, and we're currently enjoying a samgyup party. Laughter fills the air, but the sadness is palpable.
My brother has decided to offer Christian and Lance scholarships to study in Claybourne. Once they finish college, we'll bring them to Azura. Kyla will also study there, while Alice will accompany me. Our paths will separate, but it's a necessary part of our growth.
Kyla embraces me and says, "Wow, Krystal, I hope you find happiness. You don't deserve the pain he caused you! You should date a lot of handsome men in Azura!"
"I'll be the one to find a handsome man in Azura," Alice interjects, causing my brother to look annoyed. I'm happy for both of them. They're in a good place. They're relationship goals—I hope everyone finds that kind of happiness.
"Oh, just be quiet. I can't stand you. You keep snatching up the handsome ones before me. You took advantage of being friends with Krystal," Kyla teases Alice.
We all laugh at their playful banter. At least, for tonight, we can experience happiness and laughter to the fullest. We understand that we need to carry these memories with us as we part ways, until we meet again.
The next day, we're busy packing and organizing our belongings. We'll stay in Claybourne for a month to take care of paperwork and make preparations for our move to Azura.
I'm determined to leave. I know Logan is already happy without me by his side. The woman he truly loves has returned. I hope he won't be hurt by Rhaena Krystabella or any other woman.
While I'm working and packing, exhaustion starts to creep in. Perhaps, before leaving this place, I should do something memorable.
I go to the back of the house and spot the bicycle Logan gave me. I chuckle while feeling a pang in my chest. It's undoubtedly heavy, but I believe the damage has already been done, and I have no choice but to move forward and leave the past behind.
It's too early to say that I'm okay. Deep down, I know I'm not. I'm still in the healing process, and I hope that one day I can truly say that I'm free from this pain.
I hold onto the new bike and reflect, "It's ironic that you're still here, while the person who gave it to you is gone. I'm glad that at least I got to be with your master at that waterfall on the day we first met, and perhaps it'll be the last day we see each other."
I might seem foolish and crazy talking to myself, but I decide to leave the bike behind as well. I feel a tinge of regret that I won't be able to take it with me, but somehow, it feels okay.
So, for one last time, I hop on the bike and pedal away. I venture out, exploring the place—maybe for the last time. It's a bitter reality to swallow, especially when I see him in every corner of this countryside.
That big tree where we used to rest during lazy afternoons. The path where we spent countless evenings together. The ranch where he taught me how to ride horses.
Each place evokes a mix of happiness and pain. It's undeniably challenging.
Logan wasn't the first man I liked, but he became my ideal, no matter how much I initially despised him. He ignited a fantasy that he was the one—the one who set my standards high. Now, I struggle to imagine if I'll ever find someone like him again.
As fatigue takes over my body, I decide to take a break. I lie down and find myself gazing up at the sky, contemplating how Mom managed to handle everything.
Mom is incredibly strong—a brave woman and a fighter. She's my role model, my inspiration.
Mom endured the worst. I can't fathom what I would do if I were in her shoes. To be betrayed by the person who vowed to be with you before God—it's truly terrifying, the most heart-wrenching experience a husband or wife could endure.
And here I am, hoping that my brother is right. I shouldn't carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. I still have so much to experience, whether it brings happiness or not.
As I rest, someone approaches me. The least expected person I thought I would see before leaving Clayland.
The woman who returned—the woman who turned my life upside down. So much has changed because of her.
But even though anger courses through my veins, even though I want to lash out or do something regrettable, would it really change anything?
There are other reasons why the spark faded. I shouldn't put all the blame on Rhaena Krystabella.
"You're Krystal Miranda, right? It's funny that we have almost the same name," she says, appearing genuinely happy.
"Yeah, that's me. Do you need something?" It's difficult for me to face reality. It's not the happy ending I wished for or initially assumed, but I know this scar has a greater purpose.
It will heal, and in the future, everything will be alright.
Of course, even though I'm leaving, I still need to bid farewell. Despite all the pain and wounds I've experienced in Clayland, I can't deny that this place was once my home, not just because of Logan, but also because of the people I've met here.