Chapter 28
Shawn was rushed into the emergency room. Shortly after, a doctor emerged with a grave expression.
“The patient’s injuries are too severe. We’ve done everything we can, but he doesn’t have much time left. Who is Candace? The patient is asking for you.”
“That’s me.” She followed the doctor numbly to the operating table.
She saw Shawn lying there looking lifeless, with various tubes attached to his body. The blood on his face had been cleaned away, and he clutched a coin in his dangling hand.
Candace’s voice was bitter as she said, “Shawn, I’m here. What did you want to tell me?”
Shawn struggled to open his eyes and pulled the emerald ring from his pocket. He weakly muttered, “You promised I could make three wishes. I used one, and there are two left. Do they still count?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Candy, will you put on this wedding ring just to humor me?” Shawn gazed at her pleadingly. “One last time–just for one minute.”
Candace remained silent.
”
Shawn put the ring away in disappointment, barely breathing as he continued, “Then, will you call me Shawnie one more time? Please.”
Candace lowered her head, her voice strained. “Thank you for saving me and Jamie, but… I’m sorry.”
Shawn’s arm then fell limply as his heartbeat flatlined. Even so, his eyes remained wide
open.
She reached up to close the man’s eyes, her voice choked with emotion. “Goodbye, Shawn… I hope we never meet again in the next life. And I hope in your next life, you won’t lose your memory and forget the person you love,” she mumbled to herself.
Due to Shawn’s unexpected death, Candace’s engagement was postponed. All of Bloomingville’s elite attended his funeral. The only person who didn’t attend was Candace. Zayne had gone in her place.
When he returned, he brought Candace a large box that Lucia had given him, He also brought inheritance documents from Shawn’s lawyer. The deceased man had transferred all his company shares to her and Jamie.
Candace opened the box, and inside were the Bumblebee car and AI glasses he’d once tried to give them. She touched these items gently.
Images flashed before her eyes of that birthday night when Shawn had waited downstairs to show her his creations. He had looked confident and was beaming as he said, “Candace, this is my birthday gift to you. Do you like it?
“Jamie, isn’t the car Daddy designed for you really cool?”
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Then, the scene shifted to him lying on the hospital bed, barely breathing. His eyes had looked hopeful as he said, “Candy, will you call me Shawnie one more time?”
Her eyes stung with tears as she closed the box. “Can you have Dr. Hans Lambert, the cardiac specialist, help Lucia get proper treatment? And take Jamie to spend some time with her.‘
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“I will,” Zayne said. “Shawn’s final wish was to be buried next to your mother’s grave. Would that be alright?”
“Yes, let’s honor his wish,” Candace said, gazing out at the fireworks and firecrackers lighting up the sky, her expression melancholy.
“My mother was very fond of him when she was alive.”
The winter snow inelted away, and spring returned to the earth. In the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve again.
Candace and Zayne were about to hold their grand wedding ceremony. Before going on stage, she saw her son doodling on paper and asked curiously,” Jamie, what are you drawing?”
“I’m drawing a dream I had last night.” Jamie held up his drawing.
“Look, Mommy. This is a very steep cliff, and the person at the back of the line is talking to an old man…”
Her expression shifted slightly as she took the drawing. She discovered that the scene in the picture was of the dream Shawn had once described!
The man seemed to have made some kind of deal with the old man. He was thrown to the other side of the cliff by the old man, and countless halos surrounded his head.
So, that dream wasn’t a lie Shawn had made up to win her back. It was real!
“Mommy, why are you crying?”
Candace wiped away her tears and tucked the drawing away. “It’s nothing. We should go inside now.”
The cheerful wedding march began to play as she lifted her wedding dress train and walked step by step to Zayne’s side. Just as he was placing the ring on her finger, Candace unexpectedly saw a large black butterfly fly into the banquet hall.
Her gaze involuntarily followed the butterfly as she watched it land on her son’s little face for two seconds. It then flew to her left ring finger.
Chapter 28
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It was blocking Zayne’s attempt to place the ring. She stared at the butterfly as a scene flashed before her eyes.
On the day their sophomore year finals ended, she and Shawn were watching the sunset on the rooftop when she gave him a coin.
“Shawnie, this is a wishing coin my mother gave me. You can use it to make three wishes. What do you want to wish for?”
Teenage Shawn blew on the coin and smiled brightly. “For my first wish, I hope my Candy gets into her dream university, stays forever young, and remains safe and healthy!”
“Hey, be serious!” She playfully punched him. “This is a wishing coin that my mother blessed herself. It’s very powerful, so make a proper wish!”
Shawn stopped laughing, his expression turning serious. “I wish for my Candy to get into her dream university!”
“What about your second wish?”
Shawn carefully tucked the coin into his wallet. “I haven’t thought of it yet. I’ll tell you when I do.”
The scene shifted to Shawn on his deathbed, holding the coin with eager light shining in his eyes. “Candy, will you call me Shawnie one more time? Please?”
Candace gazed at the butterfly and whispered, “Shawnie, I’ll be happy. You should rest in peace now.”
As her words faded, the butterfly spread its wings and flew toward the distant horizon. She let Zayne slip the wedding ring onto her finger and smiled as she said, “I’m so happy, Zayne!”
“Me too! I finally get to marry you!”
Zayne wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear, “Should we give Jamie a little sister now?”
“Yes!” Candace beamed.
