“The Remains of Summer) Chapter 15
She stayed over, as she often did.
After saying goodnight to Liam, Amelia
scrolled through social media.
A video caught her attention.
[Former CEO Ethan Carter steps
down amidst personal scandal. His half—
brother, Ian Carter, takes the reins,
vowing to rebuild Carter Corp.]
Amelia paused.
Shortly after she’d left, Ethan and
Chloe’s affair had become public. The
scandal had reached even New Zealand,
impacting Carter Corp’s global
operations, forcing them to shut down
many branches, including the one here.
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She’d expected to feel a sense of
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triumph, of vindication, but she’d felt
nothing. Ethan was already a stranger to
her.
She scrolled past the video, her
eyelids growing heavy.
The next morning, Liam had
breakfast waiting. After she’d eaten, he
handed her an invitation.
“What’s this?”
“A Mid–Autumn Festival gala. The
local Chinese community is hosting it.
Everyone in town got an invitation.”
“Go if you’d like. Or not.”
He hesitated. He knew she preferred quiet evenings. He’d hoped she’d make
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some friends, but he’d forgotten her
aversion to crowds.
Amelia asked,“Are you going?”
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Liam smiled. “I’m happy either way.”
Amelia fingered the invitation. She
craved connection, but she’d been so careful since faking her death, avoiding
any situation where she might be
recognized, her secret revealed. She’d
even designed her café with a small
takeout window, her face hidden from
customers.
She bit her lip, forcing a smile.“Sorry,
Liam. I don’t think I can make it.”
Liam nodded understandingly. They
chatted a bit longer before he walked her
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home.
On the night of the Mid–Autumn
Festival, Amelia ate mooncakes Liam had
brought earlier, gazing at the full moon. It
had been a long time since she’d
celebrated the holiday. As a child, before
her parents‘ divorce, it had been her
favorite time of year, second only to New
Year’s. Her father would fly home from
overseas, and her mother would prepare a
feast.
Later, Ethan had always made time
for her, no matter how busy he was.
Until he’d started spending it with
Chloe.
She rubbed her tired eyes, finishing
the last mooncake. As she stood to clear
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the table, the doorbell
rang.
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Liam stood on her doorstep.“Happy
Mid–Autumn Festival, Hope.”
