---- Chapter 9 The day of my parents' memorial arrived. It was also the day | had booked my flight back to Florence. Marcus drove me to the small, quiet cemetery nestled in the foothills. Chloe did not accompany us. We stood before the simple granite headstone. "Elara and Jonathan Hayes. Beloved Parents. Forever in Our Hearts." A wave of grief, fresh and sharp despite the years, washed over me. It was hard to speak. Four years of silence, of distance. "Mom, Dad," | began, my voice trembling slightly. "It's been a long time." | told them about Florence. About the struggles, the loneliness. | didn't tell them about the mugging, the pneumonia, the depths of my despair. No need to burden their memory with that. "But things are better now," | continued, my voice growing stronger. "| met someone. His name is David. He's kind, and he loves me. We're getting married." | looked at their names, etched in stone. "I think you would have liked him. He makes me happy. Truly happy." Marcus stood a few feet away, his hands clasped behind his back, staring at the headstone. ---- His face was unreadable, but | could feel the tension radiating from him. Every time | said "married," "David," "happy," | felt his stillness intensify. "I'm going back to Florence today," | told my parents. "To start my new life. | just wanted to... to say goodbye properly. And to tell you I'm okay." Marcus finally spoke, his voice rough. "Ellie." | turned to him. "Yes?" "Are you... are you really sure about this?" he asked, his gaze fixed on some distant point beyond the graves. "About David? About getting married?" | asked. "Yes, Marcus. I'm very sure." He seemed to struggle for words. His jaw worked. He looked like a man wrestling with a demon. *He still thinks it's a lie,*| realized. A game to get his attention. The thought was exhausting. He shook his head slightly, as if to clear it. "| need a cigarette." He walked away, towards the cemetery gates, leaving me alone with my parents. My phone vibrated. David. "Ellie-bean? How did it go? Are you at the airport yet?" "It went okay," | said. "Just finished at the memorial. Heading to the airport soon." "Good. I've arranged for a car to pick you up in Florence. And Ellie... did you remember to invite Marcus to the wedding? As your guardian?" ---- His voice was gentle, hopeful. "Yes, David. | did." "Great. I'll see you soon." | ended the call. | took one last look at the headstone, whispered a final goodbye, and walked towards the gates. Marcus was leaning against his car, smoking, staring out at the desert landscape. He looked solitary, and strangely melancholic. He straightened up when he saw me, quickly stubbing out his cigarette. His composure was back in place. "Ready to go?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral. "Yes," | said. "But before we do, Marcus... this is the last time I'll ask. 'm getting married to David in Florence next month. As my guardian, | would be honored if you would come. To give me away, to witness my happiness." My voice was firm, assertive. No more pleading. His face tightened. Anger flared in his eyes again. Just then, his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID. Chloe. His expression softened instantly. "Chloe? What's wrong? ... You fell? ... Are you hurt? ... Okay, I'm on my way. Don't move." He ended the call, his attention already gone from me. He looked at me, a flash of his earlier irritation returning. "I have to go. Chloe needs me." ---- He opened the car door. "And Ellie," he said, his voice sharp, "stop with this wedding nonsense. It's not funny anymore." He got into the car and drove off, leaving me standing alone at the cemetery gates. *He's gone.* A strange sense of finality settled over me. *And so am |.* There were no ride-shares available in this relatively remote area. The bus route was infrequent. | started walking. It was a long, hot walk back to Prickly Pear Lane under the Arizona sun. My ankle, twisted slightly on the uneven gravel shoulder of the road, throbbed with each step. When | finally reached the villa, hours later, | was exhausted, dusty, and in pain. The house was quiet. Marcus and Chloe were presumably at a clinic or hospital. | went straight to my room, retrieved my packed suitcase. | took out the wedding invitation. On the back, | wrote a short note. *Marcus, thank you for everything you did for me after Mom and Dad died. I'll never forget your kindness during those early years.* *I'm repaying the funds you provided for my education and living expenses in Florence. The bank transfer details are below.* ---- *This is goodbye. | wish you happiness with Chloe.* *Ellie.* | left the invitation and the note on the hall table, where he would be sure to see it. I'd already initiated the wire transfer from my Florence bank account that morning - David had helped me set up my finances independently. It was a significant sum, almost all of my inheritance from my parents, which Marcus had managed for me. But it was worth it. To be free. To owe him nothing. | sent him a text message: *Check the hall table. The debt is repaid. I'm gone. Don't look for me. Ellie * Then, | walked out of the villa on Prickly Pear Lane for the last time. | didn't look back. | called a cab to take me to Sky Harbor Airport. My new life was waiting Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. 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