Chapter 601

+15 BONOS “Even if you leave, you’ll always be the future Mrs. Arnold.”

“Don’t you get it? It’s not about our engagement. It’s about your responsibility as a man. Maybe we’re not right for each other; I wish you happiness,” Madelyn shook off his hand. “I lost the engagement ring.

I’ll pay you back for it. Sorry, I really need to leave now.”

“No, Madelyn!” Pain shot through Ethan’s legs as he took a step, making him kneel on the ground.

“Mr. Arnold!”

“Ethan!” Donna also emerged upon seeing this.

“Daddy!”

Everyone hurried forward, but only Madelyn left. They did not realize her leaving meant a long farewell, and the Arnold family would never be the same. Embarking on her journey back to Paris, Madelyn left with uncertainty, not knowing when or if she would ever return.

Jadie’s car accident left her with a minor leg fracture, requiring a month of bed rest before she could walk again. Zach learned that Madelyn had left Southern Haven Villas at nine in the morning. He sped in a black Audi to Ventropolis International Airport, frantically attempting to reach her by phone. His repeated calls were answered and then disconnected, leading to no response and a finally switched -

off phone.

Zach asked the staff, “When is the earliest flight to Paris?”

The staff replied, “It just took off two minutes ago. The next quickest flight isn’t until 1:30 in the afternoon.”

If her choice to be with Ethan was wrong from the start, and it could not change the outcome between her and Zach, then she might as well start all over again this time. Nobody expected Madelyn’s departure to leave no trace, making it impossible for anyone to find her.

After summer vacation, the college entrance exam results were released. Madelyn was the top scorer in Ventropolis, with Kennedy right behind her. As various media outlets scrambled for an Interview, they all hit a wall: Madelyn had gone abroad. Any trace of her was gone. It was like she disappeared into thin air. Her once–familiar phone number was now unreachable, and later, it was given to a new user.

Time can blur every memory of a person. A person’s face and voice will slowly fade from memory until all traces are gone.

Each month since Madelyn’s departure, Ethan retraced her steps. He visited the places she once visited, including art exhibitions and school libraries. He sent people everywhere to find her, staying wherever there was a hint of her presence.

Four years had passed. For Madelyn, it was a fleeting moment.

September 2005, Luxembourg Park.