"A Goodbye That Never Came..."
The morning sunlight slipped quietly through the curtains,, painting golden patterns across the bedspread. I stirred beneath the soft covers,, my fingers instinctively reaching toward the warm bundle curled beside me. Bella—my sweet kitten—was still asleep,, her tiny chest rising and falling in rhythmic peace. I smiled faintly and gently stroked her fur,, the silky softness grounding me in a world that had started to feel far too uncertain.
Memories of yesterday came flooding back—the vows, the laughter,, the way Adrian had looked everywhere but at me. Like I didn't exist... Like everything between us had been erased overnight. And then there was Luka. His words,, whispered in Italian and Russian,, still echoed in the corners of my mind,, Words I didn't fully understand but felt deeply all the same... His eyes had carried something I couldn't decipher—an urgency,, a sorrow,, perhaps something else entirely.
I sat up slowly,, brushing Bella's fur one last time before slipping out of bed... The silence was deafening. It was the kind of silence that followed unsaid goodbyes and the fading warmth of a touch that meant too much,, I moved robotically,, stepping into the bathroom. The warm water from the shower washed over me,, but it couldn't cleanse the ache in my chest.
I got dressed without much thought—jeans, a soft cream blouse,, and a blazer that carried a faint trace of lavender perfume... I picked Bella up in my arms,, her soft purring a strange comfort against the growing heaviness in my heart.
"We're going home,, Bella,," I whispered. "It's time..."
A knock sounded at the door just as I reached for my suitcase,, I opened it to find Lily standing there,, her eyes already welling up with tears. She flung her arms around me,, squeezing tightly.
"I'm going to miss you,, Rimi,," she said,, her voice thick.
I smiled,, though it barely reached my eyes. "Yeah. I'll miss you too..."
She pulled back,, brushing at her cheeks. "I wish you could stay longer,, There's still so much I wanted us to do together."
"Maybe after your honeymoon,," I offered,, trying to keep my tone light.
She beamed. "Definitely. And we'll plan something for you too,, you and adrian..." Her words faltered slightly.
I looked at her curiously. "By the way,, where is he?? I haven't seen him this morning."
Lily hesitated. "He left early… with his uncle. Didn't say much. Just… left."
My chest tightened,, but I nodded, swallowing the sting. "Right... Okay."
She gave Bella one last cuddle before stepping aside,, her smile gentle. "You'll be okay,, Rimi. I know it."
I didn't answer.
Instead,, I glanced down the hallway toward his room—just a door now. A door he hadn't opened. A space he hadn't filled with even a goodbye.
Then my mom appeared,, her presence as steady as always. She wrapped her arms around me in a comforting hug. "Rimi,, let's go.... Your father's waiting."
Lily's and Mike's mother joined us for a final farewell,, embracing both me and my mom with warm affection. Then,, with Bella nestled safely in my arms,, I followed my mother toward the elevator. Her hand found mine, giving it a little squeeze,, urging me forward.
Still,, I paused.
Just once...
Just long enough to glance back.
The hallway was still empty.
And so was the space in my heart where a goodbye should've been.
The black luxury car purred down the long coastal road,, heading toward the private hangar where our family jet awaited... The ride was quiet,, save for the soft hum of the engine and Bella's occasional sleepy mewling in my lap. The sun had climbed higher now,, casting brilliant reflections across the ocean.
As we approached the jet,, the crew greeted us with polite smiles and professional nods. I climbed aboard and sank into a plush leather seat beside the window... I stared out as the golden coastline grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared into clouds.
My father took the seat across from me, his expression thoughtful.
"I hope you enjoyed the wedding,," he said quietly. "Lily looked radiant..."
"She did,," I replied,, the words catching slightly in my throat.
He studied me for a moment,, his gaze patient but knowing. "And you?? Did something happen??"
I hesitated. My instinct was to say no,, to brush it all off like I always did. But something about his steady presence made it harder to lie.
"No… Nothing important,," I finally murmured.
He nodded,, as if he'd expected the half-truth. "Well,, you know,, I may be old-fashioned,, but I make a decent therapist. I'm always here,, Rimi."
I gave him a small smile. "Thanks,, Dad."
My mother slid into the seat beside him,, her hand reaching out to gently pat mine. "Let her rest. She's had a long week..."
I leaned my head against the cold glass,, the clouds blurring as we soared above them. I closed my eyes,, hoping sleep would take me away. But instead of rest,, I saw him. Adrian. The way he had looked at me during our dance. The gentleness in his touch. The way his fingers had hesitated,, like he didn't want to let go.
But he had.
He let go so easily.
Had I imagined it all??
Maybe it was nothing. Just wedding euphoria,, the kind that plays tricks on your heart. Just fleeting chemistry—an illusion born of music,, champagne,, and stars.
Just attraction.
Nothing more.
I repeated that to myself like a mantra,, but it didn't dull the ache.
Seoul welcomed me with its usual glassy skyline and cold precision. The moment we landed,, I found myself swept into the rhythm of my life as CEO of Mirain Company.
Within hours,, I was seated in my office—tall windows overlooking the endless cityscape, Bella sleeping peacefully in her corner bed beside my desk. Luna stood nearby,, tablet in hand,, already reading off the agenda.
"There's a board meeting at ten. Mr. Kwon from New York is in the conference room... The PR team's final draft for the Queen campaign also needs your feedback."
"Schedule a follow-up with Mr. Kwon for tomorrow morning,," I instructed. "Tell PR I'll get back to them with edits tonight..."
"Understood,, ma'am."
Luna moved with efficiency,, but her concerned glances didn't go unnoticed. I was quieter than usual,, my responses clipped,, my smile faint. I buried myself in projects,, pouring over contracts,, partnership proposals,, campaign strategies. Anything to avoid thinking about him.
Anything to avoid feeling.
The hours melted away beneath piles of paperwork. I didn't eat... I didn't stop. I worked like someone trying to outrun something invisible.
By nightfall,, the office lights were dimmed and the city outside shimmered with a thousand artificial stars... Luna was still beside me,, her eyes tired but alert.
"Ma'am,," she said softly,, setting her pen down. "We're done. It's late... Maybe… you should go home??"
I nodde,,rubbing at my eyes. "Yeah… You're right."
She reached for her coat,, but I stopped her.
"Luna,," I said quietly.
She turned. "Yes??"
"I want you to find someone."
Her brow furrowed slightly. "Who??"
"Adrian William,," I said. "CEO and owner of Queen Company..."
Luna blinked in surprise. "I… thought the listed CEO was someone named Mr. K..."
I shook my head. "No... That's a placeholder. A shadow name. He's the real force behind it. Adrian William... I want every detail. His past. His connections. His deals. What size shoes he wears. I don't care how small—if he has a dog, if he likes tea or coffee—I want to know everything..."
Luna stared at me,, uncertain. "Is he a threat,, ma'am??"
I looked at her,, the steel in my gaze returning.
"No... But I need to understand who I was dealing with. And who I might deal with again."
She straightened her posture and gave a determined nod. "You'll have the full report in three days."
"Thank you,," I said,, dismissing her.
The office felt empty once she left. I lingered a little while longer,, my fingers trailing along Bella's back as she stretched and purred,, then picked her up and went home.
At home,, the lights flickered on to reveal the familiar warmth of my penthouse—muted greys,, soft cream,, the faint scent of lilies from a vase on the coffee table. I set Bella down and watched her dart toward her favorite blanket,, A smile tugged at my lips for the first time all day.
I poured a glass of wine,, kicked off my shoes,, and curled up on the couch. The city lights blinked outside like distant memories. I ran my fingers along the rim of the glass,, thinking about his touch,, his eyes,, the way he had disappeared without a word.
He didn't even say goodbye.
And that hurt more than I wanted to admit...
I picked up my phone,, hovering for a long moment over his contact.
But I didn't call...
Instead,, I looked out the window and whispered into the night.
"You don't get to disappear,, Adrian... Not without answers."
To be continue...