At seven o'clock that evening, Ethan brought me to a restaurant called Genting.
The location truly was perfect. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city glittered in a sea of lights.
Ethan pulled out a chair for me like a gentleman and said with a smile, "Celia, have something to eat first. There's a big surprise waiting for you later."
I cut a small piece of steak and had just put it in my mouth when his phone rang.
It was the exclusive ringtone he had set for Sophie.
His expression shifted slightly, and he answered at once.
On the other end came Sophie's tearful voice. "Ethan, Grandpa suddenly got worse and was rushed into the emergency room… I'm so scared being here alone. Can you come and stay with me?"
Ethan's grip tightened around the phone. He glanced at me instinctively.
I set down my knife and fork and looked at him quietly.
His eyes flickered. In the end, he said into the phone, "Don't be afraid. I'll come right away."
After hanging up, he stood up, his face full of apology and urgency.
"Celia, Sophie—"
"Go," I interrupted him before he could finish. "A life is at stake. Don't keep her waiting."
He froze.
He had already braced himself for me to lose my temper, to question him. His brows had even drawn together, ready to lecture me.
He hadn't expected me to be this calm—calm enough to urge him to leave.
After a few stunned seconds, he suppressed the faint discomfort and unease in his heart.
"You're the kindest, Celia."
He bent down and kissed me hard on the cheek.
"Eat first and wait for tonight's surprise. It was specially prepared for you. When you're done, I'll have my assistant send you home."
With that, he grabbed his coat and walked out without looking back.
I pulled out a wet wipe and wiped the spot he had just kissed, my face expressionless.
Disgusting.
I didn't waste such a prime view or a table full of fine food.
I ate the entire meal slowly and carefully, even ordering another dessert.
At eight o'clock sharp, outside the window, brilliant fireworks suddenly burst across the night sky. That was the surprise Ethan had prepared for me.
The explosions lit up the sky.
But when the fireworks faded and reformed, the words they spelled out were: Sophie, I will cherish you for a lifetime.
Huge golden characters shimmered in the sky—an extravagant, no-expense-spared display.
The assistant standing nearby broke out in a cold sweat, sneaking glances at my face, afraid I would flip the table and erupt at any second.
But I only clasped my hands beneath my chin and quietly watched the fireworks.
How beautiful.
I remembered how, in the past, he had once learned to make fireworks just to celebrate my birthday, only so the same brilliance could flash in my eyes. His hands had even been blackened by gunpowder.
Sadly, that man had long since died in the flow of time.
Memories surged like a tide, yet I realized that apart from a faint sigh over the past, my heart was utterly still.
No heartbreak. No anger. Not even a ripple.
Only relief.
Relief that, in this second life, I had finally seen Ethan for who he truly was.
Just then, my phone vibrated.
It was a message from Ethan.
[Celia, Sophie is devastated over her grandfather. She's innocent and fragile, so I had to temporarily change the fireworks message to cheer her up. Don't overthink it, and don't go looking for trouble with her. This was entirely my decision.]
I let out a soft scoff and didn't bother replying.
I took out my phone.
'Second chance.'
My finger tapped lightly.
'Transferring liquid assets…
'Clearing private investment funds…'
At that very moment, Ethan—holding the fragile Sophie in the hospital—had no idea.
Just to make his precious Sophie happy, he had paid another eight million as the price of his performance.
