"So you thought of me, huh?" Forrest grinned. "You don''t have to say anything, I get it. Honestly, I''m d I''m the first person you think of when something happens."


    M''s cheeks flushed a deep red.


    Something inside her had shifted. Before, when Forrest spoke so directly, she''d always felt a little at a loss, but she could handle it-she never let it get to her. But after what happened the other night... things were different now.


    It was harder to keep herposure.


    Anyone would be shaken by such a raw, intense confession-especially in this kind of moment, being looked at so intently, chosen so resolutely, as if for a second, the whole world held only you. It would make anyone''s defenses waver.


    M was no exception.


    But... was she really allowed this?


    Was it truly okay?


    Forrest could see her hesitation, and he understood why M was so hesitant- her past had taught her to be cautious with her heart. He spoke up, gentle and steady. "Mimi, don''t be afraid. I never want my feelings to be a burden for you. Just rx and let yourself enjoy it-enjoy my love, for as long as you need. I''ll always be here, waiting for the day you''re ready. I''m not going anywhere."


    He meant every word.


    He didn''t want their rtionship to be a source of stress for her; he wanted a lifetime together, years and years of growing old side by side. Forrest hoped M could takefort in that too.


    So, he promised forever.


    He offered her his heart-honestly, wholly.


    All he wished for was for the two of them to share a life.


    M''s heart trembled.


    Forever?


    She''d never received such a gentle promise, never been offered forever with such tenderness. Her nose stung, and she nearly burst into tears.


    Maybe―


    Maybe she could trust Forrest.


    No-


    She''d always trusted him.


    It was just... trusting in love again was the hard part. When it came to love and marriage, she''d been burned too many times, betrayed and worn down until the pain seemed etched into her bones. She''d tried so hard to believe again, but the scars ran too deep.


    Even taking this tiny step forward had nearly drained all her courage.


    But she had to move forward, didn''t she?


    If not for Forrest''s unwavering patience and warmth, she doubted she''d ever have tried again at all. A life alone would have been fine-maybe even preferable. After all, if not for love as fierce and gentle as his, nothing else would have moved her, nothing else could have given her the strength to try again.


    But with her heart in such tatters, could she ever give Forrest a love as passionate as his for her?


    Could she?


    And if she tried and still couldn''t... how could she bear it?


    How could she ever face him?


    "Besides," Forrest broke into a smile, "even just as your friend of so many years, I deserve to meet your aunt, don''t I?"


    M, lost in thought, was caught off guard by his words. For a moment, the mountain of pressure that had been building over the past few days vanished. She felt lighter-so much lighter that she couldn''t help butugh. In the soft glow of themp, her smile was dazzling.


    Who could say what the future held?


    For now, all she could do was keep moving forward.


    That was better than standing still.


    ...


    After dinner that night, M and Forrest discussed their ns at the table. On a sudden impulse, M changed her flight-she wouldn''t wait until tomorrow. She''d leave tonight.


    As for Forrest, his travel documents were ready even faster.


    When Leonard heard that M was suddenly heading to Ennd, and leaving Cara behind at home, he


    didn''t protest. But at the airpot


    when he saw Forrest approaching, pulling a ck suitcase behind him, his expression finally changed.


    "Mr. Suthend... he''sing with you?" Leonard frowned.


    "Yes."


    M had nothing left to say to Leonard or, for that matter, any of the Montgomery family. She didn''t bother exining. With a curt reply, she strode over to Forrest and the two of them walked through the VIP securityne.


    Leonard wouldn''t be going to Ennd with them.


    Jade was already there.


    He watched them disappear through the doors. Leonard''s face darkened. He hadn''t expected this—at such a critical moment, no less. He couldn''t even


    imagine what his boss would say once he heard about this.


    Taking Forrest along to Ennd... Nothing good coulde of that. There was


    no need to investigate further. The implications were obvious.


    Especially with Jade waiting over there.


    Leonard knew


    Forrest could be


    persistent and resourceful, but he never thought Forrest would actually win M over. He''d assumed that, for all her resentment toward her husband, M would never let herself fall for someone else again. Not after everything...


    It was truly unexpected.


    But there was no hiding it. After a long, tense silence, Leonard finally pulled out


    his phone and dialed.


    The line took a while to connect; the other end was busy.


    "Sir..."


    Before the man could respond, Leonard rattled off the news-quickly, sinctly,


    making sure to mention that they''d just left.


    The other end was silent for a long, long time.


    Leonard grew more anxious with every second.


    Eventually, a voice finally came through. There was no anger. In fact, the man sounded amused-light, almost airy. But to Leonard, itnded like a boulder. "Back then, that warning wasn''t nearly harsh enough. I should have hit him harder -right on the head."