Ethan watched as she smiled and thanked Sun Mingyu, and as their figures disappeared together out the warehouse door. Finally, he could no longer hold back the tears. He knew that this time, he had truly lost her.

As he was lifted into the ambulance for emergency treatment, Ethan reached into his inner pocket with trembling fingers and pulled out a photograph. It was a photo of Seraphina when she was eighteen. In the picture, her smile was bright and her eyes were clear. He gently caressed the photo, a bitter yet relieved smile appearing on his face.

A few days later, Eva Vance was sentenced to death for kidnapping and several other charges, to be executed immediately. When her crimes were exposed, it caused a massive uproar. Someone leaked intimate photos of her and Ethan online, along with a photo of Mr. Zheng imprisoned in Ethan’s basement, implying Ethan’s involvement.

The police immediately went to Ethan’s home to rescue Mr. Zheng. But because Ethan had been focused entirely on Seraphina and was subsequently kidnapped by Eva, the imprisoned Zheng had been left without water or food for a long period. By the time the police arrived, he had already passed away.

Chapter 29

Countless reporters swarmed the hospital where Ethan was recovering, hoping for a first-hand scoop. But the first reporter to sneak into his ward let out an ear-piercing scream.

Ethan Cross was dead.

According to the forensic examination, Ethan had waited for nightfall to disconnect all his life-support equipment, committing suicide. Once the news broke, the forces that once relied on the Cross family scattered like startled birds. The Cross family was completely finished.

A month later, Seraphina, who had already left the country, received a letter from home. It was written by Ethan; the handwriting was scrawled, and there was a bloodstain on the corner of the page. Seraphina knew he had written it just before he died.

He wrote that he often thought of his grandfather, of when he and Seraphina were eighteen, and of the harm he had caused her. He didn't ask for forgiveness; he only hoped she could be happy. At the end of the letter, his handwriting became faint and ethereal.

"Sera, thank you for appearing in my life and teaching me what love is. I owe you too much in this life, so I can only do as you wished and pay with my death. If there is a next life, I hope to meet you sooner, to love you the right way, and to protect you for all time."

Seraphina finished the letter and remained silent for a long time. She folded it up and threw it into the fire. Although the pain of the past would never completely vanish, she had learned to let go. Now, she didn't need anyone to make amends. She didn't want any more entanglements with Ethan in her next life either. Their ill-fated connection ended here.

She walked to the window and looked at the sunlight outside, a smile appearing on her lips. Sun Mingyu walked up to her and handed her a glass of warm water.

"What are you thinking about?"

Seraphina took the glass and shook her head. "Nothing. Just thinking that the past is in the past, and we should look forward."

Sun looked at her with eyes full of tenderness. "Yes, look forward. Sera, I know you are slowly stepping out of the shadows of the past, and I..." He paused, his hands clenched as he finally gathered his courage. "I like you. It's not a whim, but a carefully considered decision. I can't promise to make you forget the past immediately, but I'm willing to spend a lifetime walking with you and giving you happiness. Are you willing to give me a chance?"

Looking into Sun’s sincere eyes, a wave of warmth rose in Seraphina’s heart. She was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I am."

Sun looked at her with pleasant surprise and reached out to gently take her hand. Seraphina didn't pull away, letting him hold it.

Seeing the two of them standing side by side, Arthur’s eyes crinkled into a smile. He waved a hand to dismiss the nanny who had come to deliver desserts and quietly slipped away himself, leaving them their private space.

The sunlight streamed through the window, bathing Seraphina and Sun Mingyu in a warm, bright glow.

(The End)