In a moment of utter silence, the room felt as if it were a vacuum, and Jareth could hear nothing but the thudding of his own heart.


    The journal in his hands was yellowed with age, a testament to the many years Lily had poured her soul into it.


    With trembling fingers, Jareth carefully turned the first page.


    Lily had never had much formal education, but having grown up by Jareth''s side, her handwriting was firm, with a masculine strength that somehow resembled his


    own.


    In fact, the script bore a striking seven-tenths resemnce to Jareth''s penmanship, a style that had been meticulously taught to him by his father. Being the constant shadow to Jareth, Lily naturally came under his influence.


    Or perhaps she was so filled with thoughts of him that she couldn''t help but mimic his handwriting, trying to bridge the distance between them in this way.


    Lily didn''t write every day, but what she did record were moments she deemed worthy of remembrance,


    [Today, I followed Mr. Jareth to Mr. Fairhaven''s funeral. With Mr. Fairhaven gone, the heavy burdens of the family now rest on Mr. Jareth''s shoulders. The road ahead for Mr. Jareth will be arduous, but fear not, for I am here. Mr. Fairhaven, rest assured. Even if the sky were to fall, I would protect Mr. Jareth without a moment''s hesitation.]


    [These past few days, Mr. Jareth has been acting differently. He bursts intoughter over meals for no apparent reason. Could he be in love? Whichdy has managed to unlock the tightly sealed doors of Mr. Jareth''s heart? I am so curious to meet her.]


    [Ms. Mari is such a charming girl, truly worthy of my Master. He has such good taste!]


    [Mr. Jareth, this is the fourteenth Thanksgiving I have spent by your side. I never understood the meaning of reunion before, but now that you have a wife, this holiday must hold a special significance for you. And for me, it has gained a special meaning too.]


    [Mr. Jareth, the moon tonight is breathtaking. It''s as beautiful and unspeakable as the love I hold for you.]


    Jareth''s hands, clutching the diary, shook uncontrobly, and a heavy, sorrowful tear fell onto the worn pages.


    An old photo, cut from a newspaper, swam into his tear-blurred vision.


    The photograph, taken ten years ago, depicted the Fairhaven family at an ancestral tribute. A young and dashing Jareth stood tall and proud behind Barry, already disying the bearing of a patriarch.


    And there, following closely behind him, was the young girl Lily.


    Dressed in a ck uniform, with her hair pulled into a high ponytail, shecked the mature beauty she wouldter possess, her round face still carrying traces of baby fat.


    Though the print was not clear, the girl''s gaze, as she looked up at the back of her Master, was bright and clear, shimmering with a gentle radiance.


    She was always watching over her young Master.


    Even though he never once returned her affections.


    [Today, you offhandedly asked me if I liked anyone and to tell you when I do, saying you''d help me check him out. Little did you know, that moment, my heart raced like never before.]


    [You always worry that I''ll end up an old maid following you around, asking if I ever thought about marriage. Truth is, I''ve been married in my heart. I''ve silently married you.]


    [Mr. Jareth, my sole wish in this world is to see you truly happy. Please, don''t let me down.]


    Jareth hugged it close, slowly crouching down as his tears flowed uncontrobly, turning from sobs to heart-wrenching cries.


    Lily had loved him, deeply and for so many years.


    And he, like a fool, had been blissfully unaware.


    He loved Mari with all his heart, and knew all too well the agony of unrequited love.


    What pain must Lily have endured, day after day, watching him with another woman?


    How could her heart not ache? How could anyone bear such excruciating pain and still stand guard by his side?


    He thought, "Oh Lily. How could there be such a stubborn person in the world?


    What is so good about me? If there is another life," he gasped between tears, his voice a whisper. "If there is another life. I wish you could be my sister, and I would protect your happiness all your life. Let us meet again, in a different way. My dearest Lily."


    With the help of Thaddeus and Dean, all of Lily''s belongings were neatly packed away.


    There wasn''t much-just two boxes.


    Her possessions were as sparse as if the girl herself could vanish from Jareth''s life at any moment.


    Only the pink diary remained clutched to his chest, treasured above all else.


    "Mr. Fairhaven, this is Lily''s phone."


    Dean, with eyes swollen red, handed Lily''s phone to him, "It was broken and wouldn''t turn on. Aaron had it fixed by the tech guys at the station, even reced the screen. Please keep it safe."


    Jareth''s dampshes quivered as he took the phone, scrolling through the gallery. The sharp sting at the back of his nose nearly broke him, but he bit back the tears.


    Thest photo in the album showed him dressed in a toy dog costume, Lily in a


    rabbit outfit, and Mari all together in a group picture.


    They didn''t even have a single decent photo together.


    So many regrets.


    Just then, Thaddeus'' phone rang-it was Dennis calling in a panic,


    "Mr. Thaddeus, are you with Mr. Jareth?" His voice was anxious.


    "Yes, I''m with Jareth. What''s happened?"


    "Mr. Frederic just visited Ms. Mari at the hospital and identally let slip about Lily''s passing."


    "What did you say?"


    Thaddeus'' eyes zed with fury, "How could he be so careless after all the warnings?"


    The car was silent, and Jareth could faintly hear Dennis'' words, his heart wrenching in response.


    "It''s no use ming Mr. Frederic now; please,e to the hospital with Mr. Jareth. Only he can soothe Ms. Mari now!"