Lucas accepted the gift from her, his expression unreadable.
“You can save your congratulations for the engagement party.”
Engagement party?
But she wouldn’t live to see that day.
Celia lowered her head, silent and unresponsive. She neither explained nor argued, merely handed over the gift before walking away. Finding a quiet corner, she sat down alone.
Lucas didn’t pay much attention as she left. He remained by Yvonne’s side, leading her through the crowd with a gentle smile. He patiently introduced her to every guest offering their congratulations, his demeanor full of warmth and affection.
Before long, after greeting everyone, Lucas and Yvonne disappeared from the crowd altogether.
Celia lingered for a while longer before standing and quietly slipping out of the banquet hall.
She had always disliked these crowded, noisy gatherings. In the past, Lucas would notice her discomfort and quietly lead her away halfway through. Now, that habit hadn’t changed but the person he chose to leave with had.
The area outside the hall was spacious, and Celia recalled there being a garden pavilion nearby. She decided to take a walk there, seeking a moment of solitude.
However, as she approached, she realized the pavilion wasn’t empty.
Drawing closer, she saw Lucas and Yvonne there, speaking softly.
“Lucas,” Yvonne’s voice carried a playful, almost childlike tone. “When we get married, I want my own garden pavilion. Can I have one?”
Her words were met with Lucas’s indulgent chuckle. “Why wait until after we’re married? I’ll have it ready for you now.”
“Really?” Yvonne’s eyes sparkled with delight, her cheeks flushing pink as she leaned in to kiss his cheek.
But Lucas turned his head at the last moment, and her kiss landed unexpectedly on his lips.
The accidental gesture deepened the flush on Yvonne’s face, and she pulled back in a flustered attempt to recover. Before she could retreat, Lucas wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close to deepen the kiss.
From a distance, Celia stood frozen, watching the scene unfold.
Perhaps it was because she was already dead, or perhaps it was because she had steeled herself to wish them happiness.
