He was obsessive to the extreme; he wished he could lock Clara away and surround her with every softness possible, ensuring she never suffered even the slightest harm again.

Chapter 39

For the past few days, Clara Tang continued to go to the flower shop as usual. She remained meticulous in her work, though she found herself spacing out more often during her breaks.

Chen tried to joke with her, but Clara’s responses became fewer.

On her way home every day, Clara clearly sensed someone following her.

But she didn't pay it any mind, because during a conversation between Marcus and her mother, she had roughly guessed who it was.

Other than Ethan Shaw, no one would do such a thing.

He was still the same as when he pursued her in university. Back then, she had dance classes every Thursday night, and after every class, he would walk her back from a short distance.

For a long time, Clara hadn't realized it, thinking they were just destined to run into each other.

When Marcus told Mrs. Tang that this doctor was found by Ethan, Mrs. Tang couldn't help but say it was all a "wicked fate."

Clara had overheard it faintly, and her feelings were complicated.

Since her talk with Summer Sheng, she had completely let go of her previous obsessions with him. She used to obsess over whether he loved her.

Now, she was certain: he loved her.

The things she once harbored a grudge over seemed less important now, poised between life and death.

Last night, Clara finally made the decision to have the surgery.

When Mr. Tang and Marcus heard the result, they were very calm, as if they had anticipated it all along.

Only Mrs. Tang found it completely unacceptable.

She looked at Clara through tears, and Clara felt an overwhelming wave of guilt.

She seemed to have always been willful, with her parents and brother always there to support her.

This time was the same. If the surgery failed, they would have to endure the same despair they felt three years ago all over again.

At this moment, Clara stopped as she turned an alley corner.

Caught off guard, Ethan Shaw walked right into her.

Ethan instinctively stepped back, trying to hide, but Clara suddenly spoke and stopped him.

"Ethan Shaw." Clara’s voice was as clear as ever.

That single phrase caused Ethan’s eyes to turn red instantly.

It had been so, so long since he had heard Clara call his name.

Ethan gazed greedily at her, but he didn't respond immediately.

He didn't know if she was going to drive him away or something else; his heart was filled with apprehension.

"Ethan Shaw, I know it's you. If you're willing, we can talk."

Ethan froze. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, but looking at her face, he couldn't refuse.

The two sat in the tea house. Compared to Clara’s composure, Ethan was restless.

Clara spoke first: "Not long ago, I had tea in this very spot with Summer Sheng."

At the mention of that name, Ethan’s pupils constricted.

His voice was dry as he forced out a single, stiff sentence: "I'm sorry."

"The person I ran into in the alleyway by the bar last time was also you, wasn't it?" Clara’s certain tone left Ethan no room for denial.

"Cece, I really..." As soon as Ethan spoke, his voice began to choke up. He missed her so, so much.

Now that she was sitting right in front of him, he felt as if he were in a dream.

"I heard from my brother that you helped find the doctor. Thank you." Clara’s words were exceptionally polite, making Ethan’s heart sink uncontrollably.

"You're welcome," Ethan replied hoarsely. He couldn't think of how to sustain the conversation. Thinking back, after they started dating, it was always Clara who did the talking while he occasionally chimed in.

"Since you're the one who found the doctor, you must have heard from my brother that I agreed to the surgery." Clara’s voice was natural, though tinged with a certain distance.

Chapter 40

Ethan Shaw felt a surge of bitterness in his heart; he already knew the news of her surgery.

But it wasn't because Marcus Tang had taken the initiative to tell him; it was the result of his daily persistent phone calls.

"Mm." For the first time, Ethan faced his lover's cold indifference directly. At this moment, he truly felt what Clara must have felt back then when he, having lost his memories, treated her with such coldness.

It was a heart-wrenching pain. The color slowly drained from Ethan’s face, yet he did not show the slightest sign of abnormality.

All of this was merely the consequence of his own actions; he deserved such retribution.

The two fell into a silence, not knowing what to talk about.

Neither the passionate days on campus nor the tragic aftermath felt appropriate for recollection.

Clara only felt a sense of discomfort and rose to leave.

However, Ethan caught her wrist from the other end. Clara clearly felt his hand trembling slightly.

That warm touch tightly enveloped her.

"Cece, will there still be a future for us?" Ethan’s voice was exceptionally humble. Clara’s heart constricted along with the sound of his voice.

In an instant, Clara thought of many things.

Actually, she couldn't blame the previous Ethan; he truly didn't remember her, and everything had started simply because he wanted to save her.

Countless times she had told herself that the Ethan who didn't love her wasn't her Ethan.

And now, the Ethan with his memories restored stood before her again.

She couldn't deny the fact that they had once loved each other.

The Ethan who loved her had returned to her world, but she couldn't accept him yet.

If she were to stand on the scales of death once more, she couldn't bring herself to approach him only to abandon him again.

She remembered the Ethan that Summer Sheng had described to her.

The Ethan after his memories returned, learning of her "death," was like a madman.

Despair, pain, and darkness had engulfed him. He visited a psychologist every month and even harbored thoughts of ending his life.

Clara’s heart sank at Summer’s description.

In this period of time twisted by fate, she was a victim, but so was he.

It was merely destiny playing tricks, giving them a romantic beginning but a rocky middle and an unknown road ahead.

Clara gently twisted her hand out of Ethan’s grip.

Watching her movement, Ethan felt a chill run through his body.

"Cece..." His voice was full of pleading.

Clara couldn't see his expression, but she could sense his emotions on the verge of collapse.

She let out a soft sigh and reached back to squeeze his cold, pale hand.

"Ethan Shaw, I might die."

From the moment Clara grasped his hand, Ethan gripped hers back tightly, unsatisfied with just a touch.

To Ethan, the warning she spoke sounded like a sign of reconciliation.

"But we can be together right now, can't we?" Ethan gazed greedily at her. Taking advantage of the fact that she couldn't see, his eyes brazenly traced every inch of her skin, as if he had become addicted.

"Ethan, I mean after the surgery..."

"Cece, please have some pity on me. I am already trying my best to accept that you are going to surgery, and that I might... lose you." He whispered the last three words so softly, as if he were extremely unwilling to face them.

His tone shifted, his voice rising: "So can you at least come closer to me now? Just to give me a moment of peace. It's been so, so long since I've held you."

Before the stunned Clara could react, she was pulled into a familiar embrace.

She froze at first, then instinctively softened her body.

She didn't reach back to return the hug, but she didn't resist either. For Ethan, this was already the best possible outcome.

The two felt each other's warmth. The drizzling rain cleared, and sunlight spilled through the window onto them, as if draping them in gold.

This was an embrace they had both waited for a long, long time.

Chapter 41

N City Airport.

Marcus Tang’s mouth twitched as he looked at Clara, who was wrapped up tightly.

Since Ethan Shaw had gained entry to their home, he had practically been squatting at the Tang residence, refusing to leave.

Initially, the Tang parents had a very poor opinion of Ethan. No one knew what Ethan had said to them.

Although they still looked at him with clear disapproval, they no longer tried to drive him away.

Ethan had seemingly cast aside all pride, pestering Clara shamelessly.

While Clara made no outward sign, the Tang family noticed her mood had improved somewhat, so their reaction toward Ethan wasn't as severe as before.

Song Qinghe was the only one unaware of their past. In her eyes, Ethan seemed like a quite decent man, and Marcus didn't say much about it.