But before the woman could finish speaking, several men who looked like bodyguards quickly approached and silenced her by covering her mouth.


    The guards gave off a cold, dangerous presence. One stood outside the cart and spoke in an official tone. "Ms. Lambert, we''re sorry to have bothered you. This woman is a distant rtive of Mr. Henderson. Her mental state isn''t well, and she somehow got out tonight."


    The crazed woman immediately quieted down as if she were terrified of something.


    Grace wanted to have a few more words with her, but the guard had already started driving the car away.


    The vehicle stopped in front of the central vi, where the lights were still on.


    She got out with the magnolia blossoms in her arms but instinctively turned around, wanting to see where the woman had been taken.


    However, there was no trace of her left. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.


    Grace rubbed her brow, feeling a dull ache return to her head.


    Suddenly, the front door opened.


    She stood at the entryway and saw that the living room was empty.<fnf0be> Th?s chapter is updated by f?ndnovel</fnf0be>


    She ced the flowers on the coffee table, intending to leave quietly. But just as she took one step forward, she saw Ethan standing on the second floor.


    He rested one hand on the balcony railing and said calmly, "Why are you sote?"


    Grace looked up at him and asked with a hint of surprise, "Mr. Henderson, is your leg better?"


    "Mm."


    He lowered his eyes. His throat moved as if he wanted to say something, but held back.


    Every time Grace faced Ethan, she would feel uneasy, yet she just couldn''t tell where that feeling came from.


    She scratched her cheek awkwardly.


    "I''m sorry to bother you at thiste hour. I couldn''t find that kind of flower at any florist in Druville, so I had to go pick them in the suburbs, which took extra time. You weren''t really waiting for the flowers, were you?" she asked.


    It was already past 3:00 am, and for someone like him, who lived rigidly by routine, it was strange he hadn''t gone to bed.


    Ethan didn''t answer the question and just stared at her.


    Grace didn''t know what else to say. Ethan''s silence often left her in a bind. Leaving felt wrong, but staying back felt worse.


    After an awkward three-minute silence, she finally spoke up. "The flowers are delivered. I''ll head out now. You should rest too."


    But just as she took a step, he asked, "Is the snow heavy outside?"


    Grace reflexively patted her head, thinking he had seen snowkes on her hair.


    "A little. The snow in Druville seems heavier than usual this year."


    "Hmm."


    Grace was feeling ufortable. What was Ethan trying to say? He''d speak a little, then stop. She couldn''t just walk away, yet staying felt unbearable.


    She stood for a few more minutes. Finally unable to bear with the silence, she began, "Then..."


    However, he interrupted her again. "Are the flowers fragrant?"


    She had been racking her brain for an excuse to leave. Upon hearing that, she looked up, and their eyes met.


    His expression was still calm, with one hand hanging at his side. He stood bathed


    in warm yellow light, the glow faintly outlining his figure.


    It was the first time Grace had seen this version of Ethan. It was like he was standing within the weight of his deepest memories.


    "Yes. They smell better than regr magnolias. I picked over ten branches. I hope you like them," she said


    Ever since she saw that deranged woman, her mind had been restless. Now, she just wanted to leave.


    So, after saying that, she lowered her head and turned to walk away.


    This time, Ethan didn''t say anything more.


    At the entryway, she couldn''t help but nce back. He was still standing there, and even his shadow looked hazy.


    Suddenly, her head throbbed violently. She turned and hurried outside.


    Back in the car, she pressed her fingers hard against her temples, but the pain wouldn''t subside. It was so intense that it made her nauseous.


    After barely making it home, she quickly washed up. Even when lying in bed, the pain in her head felt explosive.


    She took a painkiller and then two sleeping pills before lying motionless in bed.


    She hadn''t dreamed in a long time, but the dreams came again as soon as she fell asleep.


    It was the same smoke-filled, barren wastnd. She wandered aimlessly through


    it, stumbling every few steps. Two figures followed behind her step for step, their eyes full of worry.


    "Ms. Lambert, let''s go back."


    She ignored them and kept walking in a daze.


    All three of them were injured. The other two were hurt more severely, but no matter where she went, they followed along like loyal bodyguards.


    One of them had a small braid proudly resting on his shoulder. His sharp eyes were bloodshot.


    When Grace fell to the ground, they rushed forward to support her.


    "Why don''t we head back?"


    She lifted her eyes in confusion, her gaze empty.


    "Back where? We can never go back..."


    Grace jolted awake.


    The pain in her dream followed her into the real world—she felt like every bone in


    her body was aching.