Elizabeth handed Ethan a glass of water. "Here, drink this."

Ethan glanced up at Elizabeth and accepted it. "Thank you."

Whenever they found themselves alone together, the atmosphere always grew slightly tense.

"It's getting late. You should head back. I'll take care of Nathan. Thank you for everything tonight," Elizabeth said sincerely.

She was genuinely grateful that Ethan had brought Nathan home, helped him to the bathroom, cleaned him up, and even changed his clothes.

"Don't mention it. Nathan is my friend, too."

"Really, it is quite late now." Elizabeth didn't wish to exchange any more pleasantries with Ethan.

She was clearly hinting for him to leave.

Ethan walked out of Elizabeth's bedroom and into the living room. Elizabeth followed him to the door out of politeness.

As Ethan stepped over the threshold, he turned back, intending to tell her to get some rest and express his concern.

But before a single word could leave his lips, the door closed firmly in his face.

She truly had no desire to see him any longer.

Ethan simply stood there, staring at the closed door for a long moment before finally snapping out of his daze. He walked slowly toward the elevator.

He wandered aimlessly around the neighborhood. It had started snowing again in Crestwood.

Tiny, delicate snowflakes drifted lazily in the frigid air, so small they were barely visible to the naked eye.

They were like the hidden fractures in his heart, the ones he dared not reveal to anyone.

The next morning, Nathan awoke with a pounding headache.

He blinked, looking around the unfamiliar room before realizing he was in Elizabeth's apartment.

He immediately threw back the covers and got out of bed. Walking into the main living area, he saw Elizabeth preparing breakfast in her open-concept kitchen. She smiled when she noticed he was awake.

Her eyes curved into gentle crescents, and the sight warmed him from the inside out.

"Finally awake?" Elizabeth asked.

"Last night, I…"

"You were completely wasted." Elizabeth didn't sugarcoat it.

"I… It's all Andrew's fault." Nathan conveniently shifted the blame onto Andrew.

Elizabeth placed two plates of breakfast on the table. "Alright, we spent half the night complaining about him. His ears must be burning by now. Just don't drink so much next time."

"Okay." Nathan nodded obediently.

He sat down to enjoy the breakfast Elizabeth had prepared.

He took one bite and immediately began showering her with praise. "This is amazing, so delicious. Honestly, the best I've ever tasted…"

Elizabeth just shook her head in amusement.

Asking Nathan to critique her cooking was utterly pointless.

"How did I even get here last night?" Nathan asked suddenly between mouthfuls.

Elizabeth's grip on her cutlery tightened almost imperceptibly, but her voice remained calm. "Ethan brought you back."

Nathan's eyes widened in surprise.

"He would have found out eventually anyway," Elizabeth stated frankly. Then a thought seemed to strike her. "Oh no, I forgot to remind Ethan not to tell anyone. If Ms. Levine were to find out…"

"Ethan knows his boundaries. He understands what should and shouldn't be said," Nathan said, his trust in his friend absolute.

The only thing that worried him was whether Elizabeth still harbored feelings for Ethan…

Suddenly, a phone rang.

It was Nathan's.

He immediately went back to the bedroom to retrieve his phone and answer the call.

"Mom."

"You didn't come home last night!" Yulia's voice yelled from the other end.

Over the years, Nathan had always made it a point to return home at night, no matter how late he was out.

"I had too much to drink and crashed at Andrew's place…"

"Where is Cora?" Yulia yelled again, refusing to let him finish.

Nathan glanced over at Elizabeth.

She was eating her breakfast at a leisurely pace, seemingly unbothered.

Nathan gestured to Elizabeth that he was stepping away and moved to the balcony to continue the conversation.

"Mom, I don't have those kinds of feelings for Cora. Can you please stop trying to set us up?" Nathan said, his voice laced with irritation.

"What are you talking about? Even though Cora wasn't raised in the Levine household, she is still Nancy Levine's biological daughter. The Levines are powerful and wealthy. What's more, aren't you good friends with William Levine? Wouldn't it be perfect if you married his cousin?!"

"The fact that we're friends has nothing to do with matters of the heart. They are two completely separate issues."