Private Marriage, Secret Love-Chapter 175: Going to One’s Death

Raina Reddington wanted to hail a cab, but she was completely drained of strength. She sat down on a bench at the bus stop to rest for a moment.

Her grandmother called again. Raina Reddington took a deep breath before answering, "Grandma."

"Raina, when are you coming?"

"Soon. This afternoon."

"Dear child, do you have to be so late? I haven’t seen you in so long..."

"Grandma, I’m busy."

"What could you be so busy with? You just don’t miss me."

Raina’s face was soaked with tears, and she barely dared to breathe. "I miss you. I really do, Grandma. I miss you so much."

"Then come over soon. The chicken’s stewing on the stove, and I need to keep an eye on it."

Raina wanted to say more, but her grandmother had already hung up. As far as she was concerned, they would be seeing each other in a little while. She never would have imagined that these might be her beloved granddaughter’s last words.

Raina leaned back in the chair, too weak to get up. She felt terribly ill, as if her entire body was on fire. Desperate to get home and take some fever reducers, Raina hurriedly raised her hand to hail a taxi that was approaching.

The driver pulled over and, seeing that she seemed unwell, even got out of the car to help her.

"Are you all right? Should I take you to the hospital?"

Raina shook her head. Just before getting into the car, she threw away the folder of documents. ’What’s the point of keeping this? To settle scores with Ethan Lancaster in my next life?’

’No way. I never want to run into him again, not even in my next life.’

Back at The Verdant Garden, Raina was delirious with fever. She stumbled into the dining room, yanked open a drawer, and rummaged frantically through it. After taking two fever reducers, she pulled out a dining chair and collapsed onto it.

But the fever refused to break. Raina grew agitated and restless. The makeup on her face could no longer hide her haggard, sickly appearance. In this state, she wouldn’t be able to fool anyone in the house, let alone her grandmother.

Raina clutched her head and began to cry. ’What am I going to do? I can’t hide this from Grandma.’

’Ethan Lancaster stole my bone marrow. What am I supposed to do?’

She had a complete breakdown. She didn’t want to go home anymore. She didn’t want to see anyone ever again.

Raina found a piece of paper and a pen. She felt she had so much she wanted to say to her grandmother. She wanted to say she was sorry for not being able to stay by her side and be a good granddaughter. She wanted to apologize and ask for forgiveness for her cowardice, for having to leave first. She wanted to tell her she was sorry, that she was only thinking of taking this path because she just couldn’t hold on any longer. But when she put pen to paper, Raina only managed to write two sentences—two very, very short sentences.

Ethan Lancaster was in his study. He had more or less finished up his work, and with nothing else to do, he took out a copybook to practice his calligraphy.

Gwen Sharp returned from outside, bringing a chill in with her. Her expression wasn’t good, either. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Ethan saw her push the door open and come in. He put down his pen. "Where have you been?"

She looked a little flustered. "I went to buy some things for the New Year."

"I’ll head back after dinner."

"Okay." Gwen Sharp nervously clutched the hem of her top. Ethan seemed lost in thought. ’Normally, he should be taking Raina back to the Reddington Family’s home today. But there hasn’t been a word from her. It looks like they’ll be spending the holiday separately this year.’

’The problem was, both the Lancaster Family and his grandfather had called this morning, insisting that he and Raina come back to celebrate the New Year together. But he couldn’t bring himself to swallow his pride and go find her. This was all such a pain.’

Gwen Sharp stood to the side, looking completely out of it. Ethan glanced at her. "When is your mother getting here?"

"Huh?" Gwen started, stammering her words. "She’s arriving this afternoon. The hotel is already booked."

Ethan stood up and picked up the phone on his desk. He glanced at it—no missed calls.

When Raina left the house, she was bundled up in a down jacket, wrapped tightly from head to toe.

She sat in the back seat, and the driver kept glancing at her. "Miss, you seem pretty sick. What are you going to the mountains for on New Year’s?"

"To burn incense."

"Oh, to burn incense and pray for blessings, I see. But you should still take care of yourself."

Raina’s face was flushed from the fever, and the air she exhaled was alarmingly hot. Her vision blurred, making the world outside seem to double. When the car reached the foot of the mountain, Raina paid the fare and got out.

There were shuttle buses at the entrance selling tickets for the ride up the mountain. As she ascended, Raina’s heart surprisingly calmed. ’I don’t have to find excuses not to go home anymore. I don’t have to lie to Grandma anymore.’

When she reached the summit, the wind was howling. The moment she stepped out of the vehicle, she was nearly blown off her feet.

There were very few people on the mountain; almost everyone had gone home for the New Year. Raina saw someone holding a selfie stick and sitting by the railing, apparently livestreaming.

"Hey everyone, I’ve made it to the summit! Let’s see those hearts fly..."

Raina glanced at the livestreamer. She was a young girl dressed in a Hanfu, brimming with youthful energy. "Where is everyone spending the New Year? I’m not so lucky, I can’t go back to my hometown. But it’s a good thing I have all of you to keep me company."

Her camera panned over, capturing Raina in the shot. The girl saw Raina step over the railing and her eyes shot toward her. "Miss! It’s dangerous over there! You’re not allowed to climb that."

In front of Raina was a massive rock. A sign was attached to the railing behind her, bearing the four words: "Please Do Not Climb."

Raina turned her head and glanced at the girl. "You should go home. A day like this should be spent with family."

The girl saw that something was wrong with Raina’s expression and guessed what she was about to do. "Whatever’s going on, we can work it out. Just come back over here and let’s talk."

The comment section of the livestream started flooding with messages.

"What’s happening? She isn’t thinking of doing something stupid, is she?"

"Someone call the police..."

"It’ll be too late even if we call the police."

The roar of the wind, like crashing waves, filled Raina’s ears. She could no longer feel the gnawing ache in her bones. Her body felt light, so light it was as if she could fly away.

Ethan had just picked up his phone and was heading for the door when the study door was thrown open. Seth Sinclair burst in, his expression frantic and his legs trembling.

"F-Fourth Master."

"What is it?" Ethan had never seen Seth Sinclair in such a state.

Gwen Sharp’s heart lurched. She averted her gaze, not daring to look at the two men.

Seth Sinclair rushed over to Ethan, unable to speak. He simply held his phone out to the man.

On the screen, Raina was standing in some unknown location, but the female streamer was still trying to talk to her. "Miss, you’re so beautiful and young. You should be happy."

Raina turned her face toward the girl. The wind lifted her hair, loose strands brushing across her cheeks. Raina smiled at her. "Don’t watch. Turn away."

Ethan’s face drained of color. "What is this? What is she doing? Where is she?!"

Raina took off her down jacket, folded it, and placed it by her feet. The girl was truly terrified now. "Help—!"

There were other tourists on the mountain, and seeing the situation, they rushed over. "Young lady, come back! It’s dangerous over there!"

"That’s right! What if you lose your footing?"

Ethan’s lips trembled, and his hands were shaking. "What is she trying to do? Tell her to come back!"

’Why on earth would she go to a mountain?’

Ethan stared at Raina on the screen. ’Something’s wrong. This is very wrong. I don’t see a single trace of reluctance in her eyes.’ A terrible panic seized him. "Stop her! Quickly!"

"I called the Young Madam, but she’s not picking up! I’ve already sent people over."

But they would definitely be too late.

Raina walked forward, step by step, until she reached the very edge of the rock. Without a moment’s hesitation, without a single glance back, she jumped.