Faded love 34

Chapter 34 

Her voice was gentle yet distant-like wind across the sea. 

Rory’s fingertips trembled. 

Those eyes he knew in his bones showed him nothing at all. 

“Who are you?” he asked quietly. 

“I’m the one here to take back what’s mine,” she said. 

She paused, then smiled faintly. “Including your peace.” 

She turned away. 

The door thudded shut behind her; the air collapsed. 

Rory stumbled after her. 

“Wendy! 

Don’t go!” 

But the elevator doors were already closing. 

I left him one last sentence: 

“Rory, this time- 

I’m the one who won’t forgive.” 

The doors met. 

Wind swept down the corridor like the storm three years ago. 

That night, Rory stood on the terrace at the wind’s edge. 

It rattled his shirt. 

He stared toward the dim seam of lights and whispered, 

“You said the wind came back. 

Why won’t you?” 

No answer. 

Only a long night. 

Only wind. 

Rain returned. 

In City A, autumn scatters leaves with a single gust. 

He stood outside the meeting room, eyes fixed on the seam where the elevator had closed. 

Behind him, a secretary ventured, “Rory, you have a video call with the overseas 

Chapter 34 

2/3 

37.8% 

11:46 Sat, Oct 18 

shareholders-” 

“Cancel,” he said low. 

“And… Shen Corp-” 

“Put people on her,” he said, frost in his eyes. 

“Schedule, residence, movements-everything.” 

He had to be sure. 

Was that woman Wendy-or not? 

Three days later, the report lay before him. 

Thalia-identity registered three years ago in Canada. 

She owned her own company; her résumé was polished to a sheen. 

84 

She had purchased development rights over the waters where Wendy had gone down. And, more cutting still, under the name Shen Group she had invested in Duan’s construction arm, quietly gripping the key to his capital chain. 

Rory stared at the lines until his chest felt beaten with a blunt iron. 

He remembered that sea-Wendy’s most feared place. 

She could not swim, yet she insisted on seeing the tides after the storm, saying it was “when the wind is the quietest.” 

That day she’d worn a white dress and smiled at him at the shore: 

“If I die one day, bury me here, will you? 

I’m not afraid of being alone. I’m afraid you’ll forget the wind.” 

He’d thought it a joke. 

Now he saw she’d always chosen her resting place. 

Night deepened. 

Rory went to Thalia’s new office- 

the top floor of a tower, warm lights, city neon in the glass. 

Thalia was in a white shirt, meeting with investors, expression cool. 

He pushed the door open. 

Everyone startled. 

Only Thalia lifted her gaze and spoke as if discussing the weather: 

“Rory, drop-ins violate meeting protocol.” 

“Clear out,” he said coldly. 

Chairs scraped; they fled. 

Chapter 24 

2/3 

37.8% 

11:46 Sat, Oct 18 M… 

Only the two of us remained. 

: 

Wind threaded in at the window seam and teased my hair. 

Rory came on step by step, eyes dark. 

“Who are you?” 

Thalia laughed softly. “I thought Rory was good at digging. 

How can you not recognize a woman?” 

“Wendy,” he rasped, cutting me off. “Stop acting.” 

I blinked, then smiled-without warmth. 

884 

11:46 Sat, Oct 18 pe