Ethan pushed open the door and saw Sophia standing by the window.

Her slender frame looked as fragile as paper, her hair frozen in the still air.

He didn’t need to see her face to know she was upset.

The silent understanding between them tightened his chest.

"What’s wrong?" He stepped behind her, his palm resting on the curve of her waist.

Sophia turned, forcing a faint smile. "Kyle left. His injuries haven’t healed yet."

She didn’t say she was worried, but every word carried concern.

Ethan studied her pale face. "You think I drove him away?"

"No." She shook her head. "If you wanted him gone, you wouldn’t have saved him."

"Willow used the fire and the drunk driving incident to threaten us," Ethan said, his voice low. "Kyle didn’t want to put you in a difficult position."

Sophia let out a soft laugh, though her heart ached.

She pitied the man who always put her first.

This wasn’t about love—just a pang of guilt.

Ethan wrapped his arms around her from behind, pressing a kiss to her hair. "I’ve always despised rivals, but Kyle is an exception."

Sophia gripped his hand.

Her knuckles turned white.

Kyle’s near-death experience had changed Ethan.

This version of him made her love him even more.

On the drive back to the city, Sophia suddenly spoke. "I want to visit Grandpa’s hometown."

Ethan’s lips curved slightly. "I’ll take you this weekend. We can look into that fire while we’re there."

Warmth flooded Sophia’s chest.

She hadn’t expected him to bring it up first.

"Thank you."

He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I want to clear my mother’s name too. She’s strong-willed, but she isn’t cruel."

Sophia believed in Audrey as well.

But who had set that fire?

Why target a child?

At dawn on the weekend, their convoy set off.

When they reached the village, Ethan donated funds to repair the roads.

He also gifted each elderly resident two hundred thousand.

Because this was Sophia’s hometown, everything felt familiar and welcoming.

After settling in, they visited the local police station.

The officer from back then now had streaks of gray at his temples.

"Three different parties have come asking about this case in the past six months," the old officer said, pulling out dust-covered files.

Ethan understood immediately.

One was Kyle. Another was Audrey.

They combed through the records but found no leads.

Ethan’s heart sank.

If even Kyle couldn’t uncover anything, the local police stood little chance.

Back at her grandfather’s house, they visited the neighboring property.

It had been completely renovated, with no trace of the fire remaining.

"Who handled the renovations?" Ethan asked.

"Kyle’s grandmother asked Grandpa to arrange it," Sophia replied.

Now the trail had gone cold.

After dinner, they sat beneath a pear tree.

The autumn breeze carried a chill, and a crescent moon hung among the branches.

Sophia gazed at the moon, remembering the times she and Kyle had played the flute here as children.

He was skilled, while she always went off-key.

Most ten-year-old boys were mischievous, but he had been as quiet as an adult.

"What are you thinking about?" Ethan asked.

"Before, remembering Kyle would make me sad. Now it doesn’t."

Ethan’s lips quirked.

Thank goodness he’d saved Kyle.

Otherwise, the man would have lived forever in Sophia’s heart.

He pulled her closer. "I envy him a little."

"Hmm?"

"He had your childhood."

Sophia laughed and playfully hit his arm. "You’re jealous of that?"

"If not for the fire, you would’ve married him."

"If not for the car accident, you would’ve married Isabella."

Two tragedies had altered their lives.

Ethan didn’t want to hear that name.

"Let’s go inside. It’s getting cold."

Two bodyguards stood outside the bedroom.

The bed was only five feet wide, the mattress uncomfortably firm.

Ethan found it too hard, already planning to replace it tomorrow.

How were they supposed to get intimate in such a cramped space?

But at least he could hold Sophia close.

Back in the city, they’d be sleeping apart again.

He buried his face in the crook of her neck. "Move back to Moon Bay with me."

Suddenly, a guard outside barked, "Who’s there?"

Footsteps pounded across the roof.

Ethan threw off the covers, grabbed his clothes, and bolted for the door.