washed `over him. He dismissed the crowd with a wave of his hand with palpable sorrow.
After a long pause, he looked at me and Ryan one last time.
“I… I won’t bother you again. I’ll handle what happened today. I hope… you’ll both be happy.”
Stumbling, Ethan walked toward his car.
I looked at Ryan’s scar. Faint memories resurfaced of something Ethan had once drunkenly confessed.
He had said he had an older brother. Whenever their father beat them, the brother would shield him.
Ethan had never been hit as a child because his brother took the blows for him.
One night, their father had stabbed Ethan with a knife. His brother intercepted the blade, suffering the injury.
Later, Ethan overheard his father planning to sell one of them for money. His brother volunteered to go, urging Ethan to live well.
That rainy day, the brother disappeared. Their father returned with money, feasted, and bought Ethan a roasted chicken.
It was the worst meal Ethan had ever eaten, and guilt had haunted him ever since. His only wish was for his brother to live a happy life.
Standing here, Ethan’s and Ryan’s striking resemblance, along with my mother’s vague words, left little doubt: Ryan was Ethan’s brother.
Ryan squeezed my hand, reassuring me as he passed me a warm snack he had lined up to buy.
1/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter 7
Grinning brightly, he said, “Let’s get you home. Don’t worry. With me here, no one will ever hurt you again.”
His warmth filled my heart, and I smiled back.
གཡག་2གས་
On my wedding day, I wore the gown Ryan and I had carefully chosen.
The ceremony bustled with joy.
Also, Ethan had not caused any trouble. Perhaps the message had gotten through to him.
From the crowd, I thought I saw his figure, but maybe it was my imagination. I glanced quickly, then looked away, losing sight of him.
After the celebrations, Ryan and I packed for the city, where we worked and planned to live.
On the way, Ryan went to grab some documents while I waited by the road.
Suddenly, a crazed old man appeared, brandishing a knife. “Die! Your father, that rotten cop, put my son in prison! He ruined him! Why should you deserve happiness?”
I froze in panic and stumbled backward, but the distance was too short.
Just as the blade neared me, Ethan sprang in front of me, taking the knife squarely.
His body crumpled to the ground and blood pooled around him. His security team subdued the attacker, and I shakily called for an ambulance.
Ethan lay pale and weak, his gaze never leaving me. Tears streamed from his eyes as he reached a trembling hand toward me.
“Looks like… I won’t get another chance…” he whispered hoarsely. “It’s all my fault… If I could go back. I’d treat you right… I swear…”
His words echoed a memory. Once, when he still seemed pure and genuine, he had said something similar while clutching my hand.
“Claire, I’ll work hard… I’ll earn money… and I’ll treat you well. I promise… I promise.‘
11
That promise never came true. Even when he had wealth, he never treated me as he should have.
There were no second chances. Even if there were, I would not be foolish enough to waste years of my life on him again.
Ryan returned, jogging over with the documents in hand, and I saw the ambulance carrying Ethan away.
My heart was heavy as I whispered a soft ‘thank you‘ to Ethan before turning to Ryan.
Ryan smiled warmly and took my hand. I held on tightly, walking away without looking back.
The best person was already by my side. Ryan would always treat me well, and I would cherish him, too.
The past had been laid to rest. The future was bound to be bright.
The end.
