- 20.
That night, we sat around the dining table,
enjoying steaming hot dumplings.
Grandma Carter kept piling food onto my
plate.
You’re always welcome here.”
I smiled, my heart warmed by her kindness.
After dinner, Ethan suggested a walk in the
nearby park.
The winter park was deserted, save for a few
couples huddled together, enjoying the quiet.
We walked slowly along the lake, neither of us
speaking.
Snowflakes fell softly, dusting us like a fine
layer of powdered sugar.
“Thank you, Ethan,” I said softly, breaking the
silence.
“For what?”
く
“For taking me in, for giving me a warm place
to stay.
99
Ethan looked at me, a playful glint in his eyes. “How about you marry me as repayment?”
I blinked, then let out a mock–haughty sniff. “In your dreams!”
Despite my words, a ripple of something went
through me.
“So, how are you going to repay your hero? I
did rescue you from the perils of the train
station, you know.”
His exaggerated tone made me laugh. “Hero? Sounds more like you’re trying to extort me.”
He pretended to think for a moment, then
said with mock seriousness, “Let me see…
how about you cook me dinner every day until
school starts?”
I rolled my eyes. “In your dreams! I’m not a
very good cook.”
He grinned. “That’s okay. I’m not picky.”
“Besides, even if your cooking is terrible, I’ll
eat every last bite.”
His playful teasing made me laugh. “Is that
how you show gratitude? Sounds like you’re
just trying to take advantage of me.”
“”
Aw, I guess my charm isn’t working.” He
sighed dramatically, then suddenly leaned
closer. “Maybe I should try harder?”
I felt my cheeks flush, and I stepped back. “Don’t… don’t do anything crazy!”
He laughed at my flustered reaction.
“Just kidding.” He reached out and gently
ruffled my hair. “Come on, let’s go back.
Grandma will be worried.”
Back at the Carter house, Grandma had
prepared hot ginger tea to warm us up.
Sipping the tea, surrounded by the cozy
atmosphere of the Carter home, I felt a flicker
of hope for the future for the first time.
Maybe letting go of the past and starting over
wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
On New Year’s Eve. fireworks lit up the night
The deafening sound of firecrackers echoed
through the air.
Standing by the window, I felt a strange sense
of being in a different world.
“Happy New Year, Sarah.”
Ethan stood close, his warm breath tickling
my ear.
I turned to meet his gaze.
Time seemed to stop, my heart skipping a
beat.
“Happy New Year, Ethan.”
He leaned in, whispering, “I like you, Sarah.”
Outside, the fireworks continued to explode,
their vibrant colors reflected on my face, and
on Ethan’s.
