Audrina melted into his embrace, the dim lighting softening the sharp contours of Sebastian's face.
She didn't say a word, simply burying her face back into his chest and closing her eyes.
That night, she slept deeply.
Early the next morning, she went alone to the cemetery to see Julian Monroe.
The mid-April breeze carried a hint of warmth, and the weeping willows lining the path had long since sprouted tender green shoots.
She walked up the stone steps and soon found Julian's tombstone.
From a distance, she noticed a bouquet of white chrysanthemums placed in front of it.
As she got closer, she saw that the flowers were neatly arranged, with droplets of water still clinging to the petals.
It looked like they had been left there quite recently.
Audrina crouched down, picked up the bouquet to examine it, and then placed it back. There was no card, no signature, not even a single identifying mark on the flowers.
They say people forget you once you're gone, and she honestly couldn't think of anyone else who would come to pay their respects to Julian Monroe.
Looking around, the cemetery was completely quiet. Perhaps this bouquet had just been left at the wrong grave.
Audrina set down the flowers she had brought beside the mysterious bouquet. Then she sat down next to the headstone, stretching her legs out into the sunlight.
The sunshine felt wonderful, and she tilted her head back, narrowing her eyes.
Usually, when she visited, she would chat with her father about recent events, but today, she didn't feel like talking. Her mind was too chaotic, so jumbled that she didn't know where to begin.
During the day, both Zachary and Waldo had tried calling her.
But she only glanced at her phone before hanging up and switching it to silent.
Then she just sat there for the entire day, carefully pondering Sebastian's words.
It was true; she had been trapped by the heavy chains of gratitude, effectively locking herself in a cage of her own making.
And the only person who had ever chosen her unconditionally was now reduced to the cold tombstone standing beside her.

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