Dn''s throat tightened, like he might cough up blood right then and there.


    His phone buzzed. ra''s name lit up the screen.


    He froze for half a second. That was her ringtone—the one he''d set just for her.


    His heart squeezed. As he pressed the phone to his ear, it felt like the best sound in the world.


    ra was worried he''d heard the wrong news. Dn''s health was always shaky, and if he did something reckless in a panic... She couldn''t risk it.


    "I''m at the bottom of the hill. Did you hear anything?" Her voice was gentle, but she was clearly anxious.


    "Yeah," he said, voice low, stepping into the helicopter. "Wait for me."


    ra finally let out a breath she''d been holding and stood quietly by her car.


    The night air was cold, sending her hair flying around her face.


    Her coat was long gone—ripped away by the olddy earlier—so she was left in just a thin shirt. She looked small and fragile standing there in the wind.


    Charles, clueless as always, didn''t even think to offer his jacket.


    He sat on the hood of the car, petting Milo''s head and throwing worried nces at ra every few seconds, just in case she suddenly disappeared.


    The sound of helicopter des cut through the night.


    ra looked up as the helicopternded close by.


    Dn jumped out, his long strides eating up the distance between them. In seconds, he was in front of her, pulling her into a tight hug.


    He didn''t say a word, but ra could feel everything in the way he held her—the exhaustion, the worry, the relief. It was like he was carrying the weight of the world, and for a second, he just needed her there.


    She started to speak, then stopped, letting hershes fall as she let him hold her as long as he needed.


    He finally let go, only when the storm in his chest had faded, and his voice came out hoarse. "You''re okay. That''s all that matters."


    He slipped off his own jacket and draped it over her shoulders.


    ra looked up at his cold, unreadable face. Anyone else would probably think he didn''t have a single feeling in him.


    She reached up, gently cupping his face in both hands, studying him.


    She even pulled him closer, searching his eyes.


    He bent down a little, letting her look.


    Neither of them said a thing. Even the wind seemed to hush around them.


    Charles, still perched on the hood, looked from one to the other and suddenly blurted out, "Are you two about to kiss?"


    The whole mood shattered in an instant.


    ra dropped her hands like she''d been burned.


    Dn turned his head away, lost in his own thoughts.


    Charles scratched at his cheek, ncing between them. "Did I say something wrong? I just thought, if you guys were gonna kiss, maybe I should turn around?"


    Dn bit back his irritation and finally said, voice icy, "Shut up."


    Charles went quiet, patting Milo''s head, muttering to himself about how he hadn''t said anything wrong and why Dn had to be so grumpy.


    Whatever.


    ra had calmed down again, her voice soft. "The olddy passed away. She..."


    Dn''s whole body went still. After a moment, he just nodded.


    ra pulled out the charm, pressed it into his palm. "She wanted you to have this. It was herst wish."


    The charm had "Together Forever" engraved on it. It felt like a final blessing.


    He stared at the words, his face nk, but ra saw hisshes drop, hiding his eyes.


    After a few seconds, ra added quietly, "It was the old man who did it."


    Dn looked up, another quiet "Mm."


    ra''s chest ached. Her fingers trembled at her side before she slowly wrapped her arms around his waist, letting out a soft sigh. She didn''t say anything else.


    He was so good. Why did the old man have to treat him like this?


    Wasn''t Dn supposed to be the pride of the Ferguson family?