Finally We Got Lost - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

“Kaylee! mom and dad have been searching for you for 7,236 days, and we’ve finally found you!”

In Evergreen Cemetery, a well–dressed, elegant woman clung to my hand, crying her heart out.

“All these years you’ve been lost, your father and I have been searching for you around the world. Each day was a painful wait. Now that we’ve finally found you, and since your adoptive parents‘ affairs have been settled, would you be willing to come to Italy and live with us?”

Hearing the hopeful tone in my mother’s voice, I glanced at the tombstone engraved with the kind smiles of my adoptive parents, my eyes red, unable to make a decision.

“I’ll think about it.”

For now, I still wasn’t ready to adapt to the identity of a billionaire’s daughter after living as an ordinary girl for so long.

“No problem. We’ll wait for your answer.”

After parting ways with my mother, I returned to my apartment at Seasides. I opened the door to find the yellow roses in the vase on the entryway cabinet withered and a thick layer of dust coating the table. Even the clothes on the sofa remained exactly as they were before I left.

I had been away for seven days attending a funeral, and Vincent García had been unreachable for seven days. I took a deep breath and scrolled through our contact log on my phone. Thirteen calls, twenty–one WhatsApp voice calls, all with the same response: “No answer.”

Out of habit, I opened Instagram and saw Vincent’s junior colleague, Alina Clark, had just posted an update:

“Watching the sea with the person I love, and he’s gentler than the ocean today.”

The picture showed her and Vincent camping by the sea, watching the sunset. Staring the image, my swollen eyes felt like something shattered within them. I recalled my mother asking if I wanted to settle in Italy, and I had actually considered it for Vincent’s sake. But now, it just seemed laughable. Baylee Anderson, your love life is truly a failure!

‘Da!”

The door lock clicked. Vincent returned in casual attire. Seeing me sitting dazed on the sofa, he quickly asked,

“Kaylee, why are your eyes so red?”

I looked at him, his clear gaze reflecting my sorrowful expression.

“I just got something in my eye,” I replied hoarsely, then asked, “Where have you been these past few days?”

His expression faltered slightly at my question.

“A new project came up at the lab, and I’ve been so busy I couldn’t come home. I finally wrapped it up today.”

He watched my face, his tone concerned. “I didn’t have my phone with me in the lab, so it was only on my way back that I saw all the calls from you. Was something urgent?”

My tightly clenched fingers pressed hard into my palm as I held back my emotions.

“Nothing urgent–I accidentally dialed a few times, that’s all.”

I walked over to the entryway, pulling out the wilted yellow roses and tossing them in the bin. I had given Vincent the chance to tell the truth, but he chose to lie instead. So, without revealing his poor excuse, I quietly went to my room to rest.

Vincent seemed unsettled, quickly following me. “You look pale. Is it your period of this month?”

I paused. He used to know my period date was at the end of the month, and always preparing hot ilk and heating pads to soothe my cramps. But now, it was only the middle of the month. Watching his concerned face, I felt a coldness spreading through me.

“No, I just didn’t sleep well yesterday.”

Unconcerned, Vincent took his pajamas and went to shower. “Then get some rest early tonight.”

The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom as a dampness crept into my heart. A notification sounded from my bedside table. I glanced over to see a message from “Sailor Moon” with the flashing profile picture of a crescent moon.

“Vincent, the ocean romance has been received. Don’t forget you promised to take me hiking to watch the sunrise next week!”

One glance at that message sent a dull ache through my heart.

He saved Alina’s contact as “Sailor Moon.” They watched the sunset by the ocean, and now they’re planning to watch the sunrise in the mountains–how romantic!

Clenching my fists, I forced myself to remain calm. With a quick glance at the closed bathroom door, I walked into the living room and dialed my mother’s number.

“Mom, I’ll come to Italy with you after I get my diploma at the end of the month.”

“Wonderful! I’ll start preparing your visa right away.” My mother sounded delighted but paused before cautiously asking. “But if you go to Italy, you and Vincent will have a long–distance relationship. Will he be okay with that?”

Thinking of Vincent, a surge of pain briefly flashed through my heart before settling into quiet resolve.

“I’m planning to break up with him. I won’t ever see him again.”