“I was distracted," Ethan admitted with a soft smile, stepping even closer until their bodies nearly touched, his hand sliding to the small of her back as he leaned in to press a tender kiss to her forehead. “If not, how can I concentrate on any other thing apart from the beautiful woman standing in front of me that too when she is my own wife?”Both the words and the gesture were simple, yet it carried the depth of his growing comfort in expressing love, something he was still learning but embracing with quiet dedication.Scarlett stared at him for a long moment, then poked his forehead gently with her finger, a playful glint breaking through her worry. "Who are you buddy? What happened to my cold, expressionless husband, the one who used to hide behind silence and distance? Since from the last night you've turned so good at flirting and distracting me with your magical words, what exactly is happening here? Where did you hide my husband?” Ethan laughed again, the sound rich and ful

"I'm glad that you showed up rather than ignoring me."The old man didn't even bother looking at them at first. He just kept throwing small crumbs to the birds fluttering around the quiet hilltop, his wrinkled hands moving slowly and steadily like he had done this a thousand times before. "For some reason, I thought you'd ignore my words and choose not to meet me after everything that's been happening in your life," the old man said with a faint smile.Ethan narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "So you've been watching me all this time. Even though you never answered any of my calls or messages, you still kept an eye on everything happening around me."The old man let out a quiet chuckle before placing another handful of grains onto the ground for the birds."I already told you, young man, that I would contact you myself whenever the time was right," he replied calmly. "Just because I didn't answer your calls doesn't mean I abandoned you. I've been watching over you from a distance all th

"Different?" Ethan asked in surprise, genuine confusion flickering across his face. "In what way? How am I any different from everyone else?"The old man smiled gently as he looked at Ethan with eyes that seemed to have witnessed countless lifetimes."You're different in every possible way, Ethan," he replied calmly. "The sad part is that you can't see it yourself. Only those who truly know you and understand your heart can recognize what makes you different from everyone else."Silence settled between them as Ethan frowned slightly, waiting for him to continue.The old man took a slow sip of his tea before speaking again."I've watched countless young people over the years…. Some desired power above everything else. Some lived only for revenge. Others dreamed of immortality, wealth, status, or authority.” He paused briefly before looking directly into Ethan's eyes."You wanted none of those things."Another quiet silence followed."It's not as if I chose you simply because of your g

"I'm glad we went there and came back together," Scarlett said softly as the car glided along the quiet road leading away from the hill. Her hand rested gently on Ethan's thigh while he focused on the road ahead.The afternoon sun was slowly descending beyond the horizon, painting the sky in warm shades of gold and orange as the distant city lights gradually flickered to life.Although her voice remained calm, her thoughts were anything but peaceful. The old man's words continued echoing relentlessly in her mind. The way he had revealed that Ethan's grandfather had been the one to send him, the secrets hidden behind that simple revelation, and the countless questions left unanswered all weighed heavily on her heart now that they were finally alone with nothing but their own thoughts.Neither of them spoke for several long minutes afterward. The silence between them wasn't awkward or uncomfortable; it was the kind of silence that naturally settled when two people were trying to make s

"Mr. Charlie Carvendish, I suggest you answer truthfully because pretending will only make this investigation longer."The investigator's calm voice echoed through the gray interrogation room inside the detention facility.Charlie slowly raised his head and looked across the metal table separating them. Gone were the expensive tailored suits, the luxurious hospital room, and the endless stream of people eager to please him. The prison uniform hanging loosely from his body seemed almost unreal, as though he still refused to accept that this had become his reality.Even then, his expression remained composed.Years of pretending had taught him one important lesson.As long as he appeared calm, he could still control the situation."I believe there's been a misunderstanding, officer." Charlie said politely, forcing a weak smile onto his face. "Everything that happened was simply a desperate family trying to save someone's life."The investigator didn't respond.Instead, he quietly opene