?Chapter 226:


    His younger years had been more sessful than most could dream. Yet, he harbored regrets?


    Perhaps his deepest regret was losing someone dear and not managing to keep her close.


    Even so, if they had the chance to start over, would they make the same decisions? He’d probably still be drawn to Tracy, and she would inevitably fall for him. Certain things were destined to remain the same.


    “What would you change if you could turn back time?” he asked.


    Rachel considered his question, her eyes thoughtful. “I would have steered clear of my family much earlier.”


    Avoiding that connection, she never would have attended that party with Moira. She wouldn’t have ended up in the pool, wouldn’t have needed rescuing by him, and wouldn’t have fallen for him at first sight.


    Maybe then, her life would have unfolded quietly, falling in love with someone ordinary and leading a content, simple existence. It would have been nothing fancy, just filled with happiness.


    As dusk fell, Brian whisked Rachel away on a romantic hot air balloon flight. He mentioned that hot air balloons seemed most magical at this time of day.


    What he didn’t realize was her slight fear of heights. Still, she didn’t resist. Unsure of how many more such moments of romance she’d get to enjoy, she embraced the opportunity. Each moment was precious.


    Rachel selected the most vibrant, colorful balloon. As they began their gentle ascent, she gripped his hand, her legs quaking slightly from fear, yet her spirit was resolute.


    Reaching the highest point, she turned to him with a radiant smile.


    “Brian, can you recall how many Kiss Days we’ve celebrated together?”


    gα?ησν????s brings your imagination alive


    Brian abruptly shut his mouth.


    He rifled through his memories and realized that they had never spent Kiss Day together.


    But Rachel just smiled gently and said, “This is the first one, right?”


    Despite being together for years, they had never gotten to celebrate it with each other. Brian tightened his embrace and made a tender promise right then and there. “From now on, you will have me every Kiss Day, for the rest of our lives.”


    Every single one, he would make sure of it.


    Rachel thought his promise was too indulgent.


    She turned her attention to the breathtaking scenery below and said nothing.


    Only she knew that she might never be around to see him fulfill that promise.


    “Are you upset?” Brian asked tentatively, worried that she was mad.


    “No.” She shook her head before leaning it against his shoulder. “Who knows how long a lifetime willst? The future is uncertain, but I hope you will always cherish the times we spent together.”


    By the time she finished speaking, she realized that her eyes had turned misty.


    “Why are you crying?” Brian shifted her in his arms and gently lifted her chin.


    “I’m just moved, really. It hasn’t been easy, us getting to this point. I just think… We should cherish every single second.”


    .


    .


    .