Chapter 24  Chase was caught off guard for a moment before reality sank in, his face turning pale. “Amanda? Where’s she at?”  “Isn’t she still in Cloudville? Are you alright?”  Still a bit dazed, Chase mumbled, “So it was just a dream.”  “You must’ve been thinking about her all day, and it seeped into your dreams. You really miss her, huh? I’ve got the flowers and gifts all  set to go when you are. But you look a bit rough. Do you need to swing by the hospital first?”  Chase hesitated, his face a mix of emotions. No one knew what last night’s dream had been about.  “It’s okay. Let’s just head to the airport. Get my clothes ready.”  Chase headed to the bathroom with a dark look while his assistant picked out a beige suit and waited by the door.  fter a quick freshen–up, Chase was about to grab the suit but stopped short. “Get me a different one.”  Frowning, he added, “Never mind, I’ll find something myself.”  He opened the wardrobe and found it packed with light–colored suits, realizing it had been ages since he wore darker shades. That’s because I hadn’t bought him new clothes in a year.  Not just the wardrobe but everything in the master bedroom echoed with memories of Nicole. And there I was, slowly drifting away from him.  After rummaging through all the closets, Chase finally stumbled upon a black suit, neglected at the back.  The suit was still pristine, neatly packed, and dust–free.  He had worn it when we got engaged. Back then, his eyes were full of love, and he was so nervous he couldn’t even tie his bowtie right. I was in a white dress and had stepped in to fix it for him. Our eyes met, filled with tenderness.  I smiled. “Chase, you look so handsome in a suit. It’s almost criminal.”  I stood on tiptoes and kissed him softly.  At eighteen, love felt as gentle as a spring breeze, full of wonder.  Chase chose this suit and was probably hoping to patch things up.  The man in the mirror was no longer the nervous, innocent boy from before. Instead, he appeared mature but with a somber air. But just like time, how could love ever go back to what it once was?  “Let’s go to the airport, Chase commanded.  “There’s still a bit of time. Maybe you would like to grab some breakfast first? Your wife mentioned your stomach condition and that you must eat on schedule.”  Chase paused. His assistant thought he would be blamed for nagging, and quickly added, “If you’re not hungry, no worries. The plane will have food.”  “No, let’s eat here. Just something light.”  Chase finished his meal, clearly distracted, and then stood up. “Get the car. Let’s go to the airport.”  Despite having plenty of time before the flight, he seemed a bit flustered.  Just as he was about to leave, a voice from upstairs called out, “Sir, it’s bad. Nicole has fainted!”  In a flash, Chase rushed past me like the wind, and within moments, he was upstairs, carrying Nicole hurriedly to the car.  The assistant carefully asked, “Do we head to the airport?”  Chase responded, “To the hospital.”  No one was surprised by this outcome. For the past two years, Chase had always chosen Nicole without a second thought whenever Nicole and I were both in a bind.  And once again, it was no different. I had grown numb, feeling no pain.  Standing by the car, I glanced up at the second floor, where two figures were, one seated in a wheelchair and the other standing.  In the wheelchair, Derek watched everything unfold with a detached air, a mocking smile playing on his lips.