CHAPTER 10- Goodbye doesn't hold meaning anymore

''My Lady, we are done with your makeup. Please take a look.'' Maids who came to help me with my makeup and dress spoke with a cheerful tone. Slowly opening my eyes and looking at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't even blink an eye.

'' You are looking so beautiful, My Lady.'' Madia clapped her eyes in excitement. It's hard to deny that I wasn't looking breathtaking. Who would believe that the past me and the current me were the same? My black hair was falling to my shoulder styled with white roses used as a flower crown, the off-shoulder white wedding gown was embodied with pearls and diamonds, a pair of comfortable glass heels, the soft pink tint on my cheeks gave me a perfect shy bridal look. My skin looked smooth and my lips looked kissable.

'' Grand Duke has unexpectedly sophisticated taste in fashion,'' Madia poked me a little making me blush. That's right, from head to toe my dress and accessories were chosen by Ethan. Despite being aware of the fact that he did this just for show, I couldn't help but get my hopes up. Just the moment I was blushing and finally acting like a bride a knock was heard on the door. The door opened revealing my so-called family. The smile on my face dropped immediately after seeing them standing there.

'' Leave us alone,'' I ordered the maids and Madia who seemed concerned by their sudden presence but left eventually. Without even bothering to stand up to greet them I asked, '' Did you bring what I asked for?'' Father staring at me with some unexplainable emotions in their eyes snapped back to his usual self.

'' First, give them the rights of business.'' He said. Tilting my head to look at Helios and Hera who were having a victorious smiles on their face I spoke, '' I am the one with the upper hand here, Marquess Noah. Give me the things I asked for, I will give you what you asked for.'' Smile on their face faded immediately. Hera angrily growled, '' Aren't you being too arrogant just for doing a little better in the business?'' I shrugged and smiled which meant that I don't give a fuck about them.

Father sighed in defeat and gave me two papers. Looking at the documents I was sure that I played well and won. Taking out the documents from the drawer I handed one to Helios and one to Hera then took the papers from Father. The 100% ownership over the land of West Coast and West Mine. Finally, I got what I was after for years.

'' What's this? Why did you split the business into 45-45? What about the rest 10?'' Helios asked me in confusion. '' Hmm what about the rest 10?'' Resting my chin over my hand I acted like a clueless person triggering Helios, Hera, and Marchioness.

'' Don't act Daliah. What about the rest 10%?'' Marchioness grabbed my arms tightly. Her hands were trembling and her eyes were red from anger, the helpless anger look that I always wanted to see with my bare eyes before my death. Throwing my head back I smiled in satisfaction, '' I split it among the significant business partners. So, whoever of you want to take over the legacy I created needs to have at least 1 extra share from the other one.''

Marchioness let go of my arms. Father's facial expression clearly said that he didn't expect anything better from me so he wasn't either surprised or angry. Hera and Helios looked at each other and then back to the paper in their hand. Till then both of them must have realized if they want to take over the business that means they must fight against each other to death. And knowing how greedy both of them is no way any of them will willingly let go of the chance. What did they think? I will let them live happily in harmony after what they did to me and my mother. This is why you should treat everyone well.

'' If you are done, please leave and welcome the guests. We are still a very harmonious family in front of others.'' I said while smiling. Hera scoffed and raise her eyebrows, '' Aren't you being too arrogant who will marry a monster and live in isolation?'' Nodding in agreement and pointing at the door I said, '' Now Go.'' Helios held Hera's hand before she could spoil my mood any longer. He glared at me one last time in which's reply I gave him a sarcastic smile. Just how long will you be able to act all good and selfless older brother? Marchioness also followed them from behind knowing it was useless to argue with me. The damage was already done, it's their responsibility how they would clear the mess.

Seeing my father not leaving I asked him, '' Aren't you going with them?" He looked conflicted about what he should answer. We were never close more like an investor and client relationship we had so far. I thought he wanted to scold me but it turned out to be wrong.

'' You look like your mother in the wedding dress.'' His sudden mention of my mother made me boil in anger. He never came to see my mother when she was on her dead bed and suddenly mentioned her with such longing eyes and a sad tone. Letting out a bitter chuckle and holding back my tear I asked him, '' Do you even remember how my mother looked?" His lips curved up a little when I asked him the question which was enough to mean that he still remembers her. A question suddenly popped into my head which I asked right away, '' Do you regret, Marquess?''

His pupils dilated upon hearing my unexpected question. Why did I ask him? Because I was always curious about his unsaid thoughts. Father turned his back on me, the heavy silence between us seemed eternal. It spoke so many things and made various things more complicated. Father was silent and expressed his answer which was,

He regrets.

Clenching my jaw, trying not to shed any tears or show any emotion I also turned my back on him. Why did he regret it then? And if he did, how could he ask me to hand over something that I created with my blood, sweat, and tears? That is absurd.

'' Don't come back to the Capital.'' He mouthed. '' I never plan to come back. So Rest Assured.'' I gave him my answer. I heard his faint sighing and footstep that were taking him away from me. My heart was throbbing, hoping for his warm hug for the first and last time but it was just an unfulfilled desire.

'' Goodbye, Daliah.'' He said with his hand on the door knobs. Goodbye... So, this going to be our last meeting.

'' Goodbye doesn't hold meaning anymore, Marquess.'' With heaviness in my words, I spoke those words. I saw his reflection in the mirror so did he. Without saying any words, he walked away silently leaving me alone.

Tears that I was holding back started making their way down to my eyes. Clenching on my heart, I sobbed bitterly without even carrying about my makeup getting ruined. The wedding was supposed to be the most beautiful occasion in a girl's life but in my life, it was nothing less than a dead sentence.

It's painfully heavy and hard to express in words. Will my life be any different after my marriage? Just like my father left without even turning around to meet my eyes, Ethan would do the same after all, his heart wasn't his, his emotions were good as dead, and his world was good as the night sky with no star and moon.

Wiping off my tears, I started fixing my ruined makeup.

'' Which bride ruins their makeup like this,'' I said to myself and chuckled. '' It's okay, It's just a wedding on paper. Should I just run away? That'll be crazy thing to do.''

After all, they will hunt me down until they find either my dead body.