the case, I’d rather not know.”
“But you could have just asked me ” I stopped mid–sentence. He wouldn’t have dared to ask.
Back then, I was constantly lashing out at him. The answer probably wouldn’t have been much
better than his own assumptions.
“I was wrong.” I buried my face in Ethan’s chest, my eyes burning. “I’m sorry. I won’t lose
my temper with you again.”
He chuckled softly, kissing my hair. “Don’t. I like
it when you get angry. It’s cute. Just… don’t
say you don’t want me anymore.”
That night, the last barrier between us
crumbled.
<
10
I was lost in my memories. Years later, I finally
understood the meaning in Dylan’s eyes that
day. Perhaps, before he learned my uncle’s
name, Dylan truly did want to be my family. But
my connection to the Sang family gave him an
opening for revenge. He spent years teaching
me that family never betrays, that if family is
hurt, you retaliate a hundredfold. But from the
very beginning, his promises were built on lies.
Ethan said, “Sarah, I could tell Dylan liked you.
You said you were murdered in your past life,
and Dylan played a part in it. Perhaps it was
because you chose me.”
“I can’t risk having you tied to me any longer. I
want you to leave me. That way, I’ll bear all the
risks alone.
I slowly shook my head. “No way.”
“Be good.”
<
83
“No.” I stubbornly held his hand. “I won’t
divorce you.”
“You know, in my past life, we even had a baby.
I never got to tell you.”
Ethan froze. “Really?”
“Yes. Maybe I’m even pregnant now.”
He stared at my stomach, speechless.
“Ethan, I’ll play along with your plan, but I won’t
divorce you.”
A few weeks later, the media broke the news:
renowned entrepreneur Ethan Hayes‘ marriage
on the rocks, heading for divorce. That same.
day, photos of me moving out of our villa
surfaced online.
<
83
My best friend, Yvonne, watched as I hauled
bags and boxes into her apartment, her face beaming. “Well, well, look who finally decided to join the working class! Ready to build an empire with me?”
“Yeah,” I said, trying to maintain a somber expression. “Men are unreliable.”
“Hold on. Just a few days ago, it was all ‘Ethan,
honey.‘ Spill it. What happened?”
Faced with her eager, gossipy expression, I
mumbled, “I smeared jam on his bedsheets.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it. Divorce.”
“So, what are your plans now?”
“I’m going to live my own life.”
11:29
ง
On the third day, I received a call from my
uncle. “Sarah, come home tomorrow night.”
83
I sprayed my lilies with water as I spoke, forcing a cheerful tone. “Oh, Uncle, what makes you
think of me?”
“Well… you’re divorced now. Family can’t just
stand by and watch you suffer. We’re having a
party. A good opportunity to find you someone
suitable.”
“You’re well–informed, I see.”
“So, are you coming or not?”
“I’ll be there.”
After hanging up, Yvonne looked at me with
concern. “You’ve cut ties with your parents.
What do you care about their family affairs?”
11:29
83
“Blood is thicker than water. Even if I don’t go looking for trouble, they’ll always try to drag me into it.”
The following evening, I donned a black, figure- hugging gown and stepped into the Sang family mansion. The banquet hall buzzed with chatter and laughter. As soon as I entered, all eyes
turned to me, whispers rippling through the crowd.
“So, this is the Sang family’s missing daughter? Pretty unremarkable.”
“Well, her parents abandoned her. What do you expect?”
“Should I have my son try his luck? Marrying
into the Sang family would save him years of
struggle.”
“Get out of here.”
<
11:29
I navigated through the crowd. Turning a
corner, I heard a familiar voice.
“Long time no see.”
I looked up. Ethan stood among the guests, a
glass of champagne in his hand, a smile playing on his lips. He always had a captivating
presence. News of his divorce had made him
even more desirable, and he was surrounded by
women vying for his attention. He must be
thrilled.
The chatter around us died down as people
noticed me.
“Mr. Hayes, why don’t you catch up with your…
ex–wife?”
Ethan glanced at me coldly, then looked away.
“No need. We have nothing to do with each.
other anymore.”
grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing
<
waiter and walked toward him. The guests
parted like the Red Sea, afraid to get caught in
the crossfire.
Ethan’s eyes lingered on my lips, then traveled
down my neck, taking in the curve of my waist.
For a moment, he forgot his lines.
I grew impatient. I splashed the champagne on
his suit. “Just saying hello, Mr. Hayes. Don’t
mind me.”
He took my empty glass, his fingers brushing
against my hand. “I don’t mind.”
I snorted, dropped the glass, and walked away,
pushing open the doors to the terrace, seeking fresh air. But the terrace wasn’t empty. Dylan
was there, leaning against the railing, hist
scarred face hidden in the shadows, only the
unblemished side visible.
“Sarah, long time no see.”
<
11:29
My eyelashes fluttered. I clenched my hands behind my back. “Long time no see.”
He chuckled. “Why so formal?”
83
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. “You’re asking me? I should be asking you. Where have you been? Blocking my number, huh? Getting brave, aren’t you?” I playfully shoved him, like I used to.
Suddenly, the light from the doorway was blocked. I glanced over my shoulder. Ethan stood casually by the door, watching us.
Dylan was pushed further into the shadows. “I had surgery.”
“Surgery?”
He leaned forward slightly, the dim light illuminating his face. The burned skin had
moetlu hoolad
<
mostly healed.
“Look closely. Am I the same as before?”
I stared at him, stunned. “Yes.”
“So, we…”
I took a step back, creating distance between
- us. “I’m happy for you, truly.”
The door swung open, and my uncle entered,
followed by a group of guests.
“Come, let me introduce you.”
“This is my niece, Sarah. And beside her, our
company’s newest signee, Dylan Miller. They’ve
known each other since childhood. Actually, the
purpose of this party is to… help them settle
down.”
The guests murmured their congratulations,
<
11:29
crowding around us.
I frowned. “Uncle, I’m not ”
83
Dylan put his arm around my shoulders. “Don’t
worry, Uncle. I’ll take good care of Sarah.”
I struggled, realizing his grip was surprisingly
strong. A flicker of panic ran through me.
Thankfully, he released me after a few seconds,
turning to chat with the guests.
My heart was heavy. When he was done, I
asked, “When did you and my uncle start
working together?”
Dylan adjusted his tie. “I needed the Sang
family’s approval to marry you. I had other
plans, but your divorce saved me a lot of
trouble.”
Looking at his face, I felt a chilling sense of
unfamiliarity.
<
11:29
He smiled. “What’s wrong? Don’t recognize me
anymore? Does this Dylan… feel different from
the one in your memories?”
I used to think Dylan’s smile was bright and
sunny, that we were kindred spirits. Now, I
realized how wrong I’d been.
He advanced, step by step, forcing me to
retreat until my back hit the glass door.
“Sarah, this is who I’ve always been.” He
smiled, but in the dim light, it looked more like
a grimace. “Originally, I wasn’t going to let
either of you off the hook. But I love you. As
long as you come back to me, we can be like
before. You wouldn’t want to die with Ethan
again, would you?”
I trembled, consumed by fear. He… knew?
Dylan saw the terror in my eyes, my ragged
く
The cheerful melody of the violin drifted in from
the banquet hall. The sudden brightness was
blinding.
Dylan mouthed the words, “Go back. Enjoy the party. We’ll meet again soon.”
13
11
I walked back into the crowded hall, realizing I was drenched in cold sweat. The bright lights made me dizzy. I leaned against the staircase and made my way upstairs, seeking refuge. At the end of the corridor was the room I used to stay in. I wanted to rest for a bit.
I’d barely pushed the door open when someone covered my mouth and pulled me back into the shadows. The familiar scent of Ethan’s cologne enveloped me. His low voice, laced with a hint
of alcohol, whispered in my ear, “Where did he
touch you?”
Mi est save wax and colecsed again tim
Suomal
STOUCH
