Chapter 3

Just then, the study door burst open and Ethan rushed in, his eyes full of panic.

He immediately looked at Zane with questioning eyes.

Zane silently shook his head.

Ethan's anxious heart instantly relaxed, and that gentle smile returned to his face.

He walked over quickly and raised his hand to wipe the tears from my face.

"Lily, why are you crying?"

I forced a smile.

"It's nothing. I couldn't sleep tonight, so I was talking with Zane about everything we've been through together. I got a bit emotional."

He pulled me into his arms and said softly, "Those terrible days are over. I'll never let you get hurt again. Never."

With that, he scooped me up and strode toward the bedroom.

As soon as we reached the bed, his kiss pressed down forcefully.

He slowly pulled down my nightgown and kissed the gunshot scar on the right side of my chest over and over with warm lips.

This was something he did every time we were intimate.

I thought he was cherishing my sacrifice.

Now I realize---maybe he was just using that scar to force himself to stay with me, to bind himself with moral obligation.

But that wasn't love.

I wrapped my arms around him and responded passionately.

Perhaps this would be our last time.

Consider it a proper goodbye.

But just then, his phone rang urgently.

When he answered, a childish crying voice immediately came through. "Daddy, I feel terrible. I miss you..."

Then a gentle woman's voice followed, choked with tears.

"Ethan, our son has a high fever. He keeps crying for his daddy. Please come back and see him, okay?"

It was Sophia Hayes.

Ethan's body stiffened. He pushed me away and frantically started getting dressed.

"Lily, there's a problem with the company project. I have to go right away. Don't worry---tomorrow is your birthday, and I'll definitely be back to celebrate with you."

He opened the door and was about to leave.

But after one step, he suddenly stopped.

He realized that from the moment he answered the phone until now, I hadn't said a single word.

Every other time he went on a business trip, I would give him a goodbye kiss and tell him to be careful.

But not this time.

I just looked at him with lifeless eyes.

Guilt flashed across his face as he turned and kissed my forehead.

"What birthday gift do you want? Tell me and I'll buy it for you."

I looked up at him seriously.

"I want a wedding. Can I have that?"

He smiled and ruffled my hair.

"Don't be silly. There's no way to prepare a wedding in one day."

He turned to leave.

Clinging to one last shred of hope, I grabbed his hand, my eyes almost pleading.

"Then can we at least get our marriage license?"

His body froze for a moment.

Then he pulled his hand away and smiled. "Once we move our business back to New York and get married in our hometown---wouldn't that be more meaningful? Lily, just wait a little longer, okay?"

Wait a little longer.

He'd been saying those words for six years.

This time, I wouldn't wait anymore.