Chapter 19
This time he’d booked a Chinese restaurant–he knew Lyra preferred Chinese food.
They sat down and chatted briefly before Ethan lowered his voice, concern creeping into his expression.
“Lyra, I saw online that Mason’s looking for you.”
Of course, that’s what this was about.
Lyra nodded. “I figured as much. With the Vale family’s resources, they were bound to discover I faked my death sooner or later.”
‘Well… if you need help, the Mitchell family can assist you. My parents really like you.” Ethan spoke carefully, making Lyra smile.
‘It’s fine. Mason won’t hurt me. He and I are going to have to face each other eventually. Let’s not talk about him tonight though–it’ll ruin our appetite.”
‘Fair enough. But when you run into trouble, you better think of me. I’m actively pursuing you here, so if you told me to climb mountains or walk hrough fire, I’d totally do it.” Ethan said shamelessly, always managing to lighten the mood.
yra couldn’t help but laugh again. “So tell me, what exactly do you like about me?”
Is this the confession part? I’ve been waiting for you to ask.” Ethan suddenly grew serious, but the next second he smiled again.
I’ve been into you since before you went back to the States. Five years ago, I was actually planning to come find you because your mom told me you’d been in a serious car accident.
3ut right before I left, I heard you were planning to marry Mason. That’s when I knew I didn’t have a chance, so I stayed abroad.
But I never got over you–I just never expected we’d meet again under these circumstances.
yra, those years were hard on you.
don’t want to pressure you, so it’s totally fine if you don’t feel the same way. I just didn’t want to regret not trying again.”
Such earnest, serious words left Lyra stunned. She hadn’t expected that someone halfway around the world had been quietly caring for her all this
ime.
She couldn’t help wondering–if Ethan had actually come to find her five years ago, would things have been different?
‘robably not. Five years ago was when she loved Mason most deeply. Even if she and Mason had broken up, she wouldn’t have had eyes for anyone
else.
Only now was the right time.
She opened her mouth to respond, but the next second, a server pushed through the door.
‘Excuse me, your food is ready.”
The interruption broke the moment between them. Ethan didn’t say anything, just directed the server to place all of Lyra’s favorite dishes within her reach, while Lyra watched his thoughtful gestures and couldn’t help but smile helplessly.
He said it was fine if she didn’t feel the same way, but he was obviously scared of her answer–why else would he let himself be interrupted like that?
She didn’t call out Ethan’s little game, but somehow this meal felt more satisfying than any before.
After dinner, Ethan did his usual thing, casually taking her hand.
“This stretch doesn’t have streetlights. Be careful.”
Lyra nodded, walking quietly and slowly with him through the dark path.
Chapter 19
When they reached the lit area, his hand loosened, but Lyra took hold of it herself.
“Walk me home.”
She turned to smile at him, making Ethan freeze for a moment.
Then his grip tightened around hers.
Behind them, the restaurant server puzzledly pulled out her phone. Her coworker nudged her.
“What’s up? You’ve been distracted ever since you served that table.”
“I think… that woman we just served looks like the one everyone’s searching for online.”
The server pulled up her phone, showing the photos and information about Lyra that Mason had posted online.
