Ever since waking up that time, Julian had not seen Sienna again.

When Jude arrived, he saw Julian falling while leaning on a balancing rail.

Clutching the envelope in his hand, Jude didn't know if now was the best time to give it to him.

However, seeing Julian working so desperately made him feel uneasy.

The doctor had said rehabilitation was a long process; such haste might leave permanent complications.

But Julian was working so hard because he wanted to see Sienna.

Jude sighed—for the sake of his friend's recovery, he stepped inside.

"You're here." Julian’s expression darkened slightly when he saw no one else behind Jude.

Jude didn't speak; he just handed over the letter.

Julian froze, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

His movements were slow, but eventually, he took the letter.

Jude didn't know what was written inside; he only saw Julian’s face slowly sink into the shadows.

Suddenly, a crystalline light flickered.

Jude was astonished to see Julian—who hadn't cried since childhood—shedding tears.

Wet tears dropped onto the stationery, blurring the final sentence:

"From this day forward, we have nothing more to do with each other."

Chapter 44

Two years later.

I stood in front of a waterfall and took a photo, thanking the foreign friends who helped me take it.

"You look very beautiful. It is our honor to take a photo for you," they praised.

My brow was relaxed, and my complexion was healthy; I no longer looked like the skin-and-bones version of myself from before.

Inside the scenic area, I found a bench and sat down, editing the photo and posting it to Twitter.

After a while, I received many likes from foreign friends.

My parents walked over then.

My mother complained, "The waterfall doesn't look high, but climbing up is quite exhausting."

I skipped forward. "Mom, Dad, don't worry yet. Let me take a photo of you two!"

The scenery was good, and there weren't many people. They quickly found a spot.

I took their photo and sent it to Jude. Soon, I received a voice message from my little nephew calling "Auntie" in a milky voice.

After playing for half a day, I helped my parents down the mountain.

The sun was setting, and the red glow dyed the clouds, forming a beautiful scene of sunset clouds.

I watched for a while. The red light shone on my face, but it didn't make me feel afraid.

After a long time, I took a photo of this beautiful view.

At dinner, we found a nice roadside restaurant.

A new friend sitting nearby asked curiously, "Sienna, do you have a boyfriend?"

I shook my head without hesitation and said with a smile, "I've always been single."

"Impossible! You're so beautiful, Sienna, how could you not have a boyfriend?"

I just smiled and said nothing.

After dinner, my parents went back to the hotel first.

I went to the garden behind the hotel; there seemed to be a party going on, with quite a few people.

I strolled leisurely outside the garden, having no intention of going in.

Out of habit, I snapped a photo and posted it to Twitter.

The likes came quickly, and many people left comments.

Suddenly, I saw a message from a strange account: "I found you."

The words, sounding like a threat, made me shiver.

I shook my head, thinking I was being too sensitive.

Just then, my phone rang, startling me. I hurriedly answered.

"Sienna! Run! That rascal Julian! How did he find your account?!"

I was stunned and didn't respond for a long time. "Brother, what are you saying?"

"I just got to the Procuratorate and found out he took leave and left! He bought a ticket to Country A!"

Upon hearing this, I understood immediately.

Julian had found me.

I should leave right now.

But for some reason, my feet suddenly wouldn't move.

After hanging up, I was about to head back to the hotel when a figure suddenly rushed in.

He was panting and looking around.

Suddenly, our eyes met.

Julian and I met again after two years.

The party nearby suddenly stopped playing sweet songs, and the lights changed to pink.

I felt it was so awkward; I turned my head toward the party, wishing I could go in and have a few drinks with them rather than standing here in a daze, staring at Julian in silence.

After a long while, Julian caught his breath. He walked toward me step by step.

Under my gaze, he slowly opened his arms and embraced me.

Julian said softly, "This time, I won't let go."

My pounding heart seemed to infect the other person; we felt each other's warmth without a gap between us.

The moment after our long separation made me realize that I would never forget him.

Fortunately, he was the one who came looking for me this time, so we wouldn't miss our chance again.

I decided to listen to my heart this time.

I reached out and wrapped my arms around Julian. When my hands touched his back, I clearly felt him hold me even tighter.

I lowered my head and leaned on Julian's shoulder, whispering:

"As expected, I've been caught by you after all."

Chapter 45

At the hospital.

I was sitting in a chair, with Julian standing behind me.

In front of us, a doctor in a white coat adjusted his glasses while looking at a report.

After a long time, the doctor set the report down and said with a smile, "The condition is under control now. There are no issues with preparing for pregnancy."

Hearing this, Julian and I breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

"However, there are still many things to pay attention to..."

The doctor began rambling to Julian.

I sat by the side, watching Julian’s serious expression with a gentle smile.

It has been two years since we returned to the country. Under the urging of Julian’s parents to get married, Julian directly took me to register our marriage.

He didn't give the elders any time to object.

Although the elders were a bit wary of my condition, they still liked me very much.

In the end, they couldn't win the argument against Julian, so they heartlessly left their son and went abroad to travel again.

Back at home, I often helped Jude look after my little nephew; in fact, I had wanted a child for a long time.

On my birthday, Julian asked me what my wish was.

I said hesitatingly, "Isn't it a bit too lonely with just the two of us at home..."

Then, Julian ran to a pet store and let me take my pick.

Though I was speechless, I eventually chose a white cat.

Julian didn't understand why I chose a pet and felt I had something else on my mind.

Having no other choice, he sought out Jude and, under Jude's disdainful gaze, learned my true wish.

That’s why we came to the hospital for a check-up.

Back at home.

My little nephew ran quickly to his aunt. "Auntie, I didn't understand what the teacher said today. Can you teach me?"

After speaking, he secretly made a face at Julian.

Julian just felt a headache; this kid loved to pester Sienna every time he came to their house.

Facing his provocation, Julian took off his suit jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and snatched the textbook from the nephew.

"I'll teach you."

"Ah! I don't want to!"

The nephew resisted with all his might but was soon suppressed by Julian.

The two made a fuss for a while, but in the end, the boy behaved.

One taught seriously, while the other listened with a long face.

I laughed with sentiment; I believed Julian would surely be an excellent father in the future.

After dinner, the nephew was picked up by Jude.

Julian held me as we sat on the sofa.

The news was playing on the television, but no one was listening.

I said with a smile, "Go wash up early. You still have to work tomorrow."

"Mm," Julian responded, burying his head on my shoulder.

Though he agreed, Julian still didn't move.

I didn't urge him, clearly used to this.

I looked up at the lights outside; the light before my eyes was hazy, slowly drawing my thoughts away.

Noticing his partner's mind had drifted, Julian looked up. "What's wrong?"

"It feels like a dream right now," I said directly, not hiding my thoughts.

"A dream?"

I turned to look at him and said, "After being separated for so many years, this feels truly dreamlike."

Julian let out a soft laugh. "Whether it's a dream or not, we'll wake up once we're kept awake by a future child’s crying."

I was dazed for a moment. "Ah, you've ruined the illusion."

Julian joked, "Then let's not have one, so they don't bother our lives."

"No! We’re having one!" I realized I was being teased and kicked Julian’s shin. "Go wash up quickly. As the team leader, your spirit affects the whole team!"

Julian rubbed my head, stood up, and went into the bathroom.

After a while, the sound of water came from the bathroom.

I turned off the television and walked into the bedroom.

I shook out the quilt and suddenly saw a soft leather folder on the nightstand.

I picked up the folder, intending to put it on the desk.

Suddenly, a piece of paper fell out.

I bent down to pick it up and found the words "Marriage Agreement" written in large letters.

The clauses listed below were all too familiar to me.

I opened the folder in realization and saw that it was filled with marriage agreements.

There were thirty-three in total, and every single one was signed with his name.

The dates began on the third day after I left for the Magic City and continued until the day we met again.

I felt a surge of warmth in my chest. I smiled and closed the folder, placing it on the desk as if I hadn't seen anything.

"Sienna—"

Julian called out.

I walked out of the bedroom and asked, "What is it?"

The bedroom lights were turned off, and the lights from outside illuminated a space on the desk.

A light breeze blew, lifting the cover of the soft leather folder and revealing the secret inside.

Perhaps, we were always meant to be.

—THE END—