Chapter 125
Selene chuckled, “Wild boars are huge and tough. If you ever see one, just turn around and run.”
“I’d carry Mom and run with her!”
In no time, Luke Holloway had climbed halfway up the hill, not even breaking a
sweat.
Looking up the winding steps, Luke caught sight of a tall, lean figure ahead.
He gradually closed the distance between them.
As they finally walked side by side, Adrian turned and noticed Luke.
“Well, fancy seeing you here.”
Adrian wore a sweatband, his hair pushed back, giving him a boyish charm. Beads of sweat clung to his flawless skin, making him look almost luminous.
“I heard the first candle at Serenity Church is especially blessed. Lieutenant Holloway, are you here to make a wish too?”
Adrian addressed him by his former rank, and Luke’s eyes darkened. This man from a powerful family really knew his history.
Luke parted his lips, answering with a low “Yeah” from deep in his throat.
But the question lingered in his mind–what could a man like Adrian possibly wish for, when everything in the world seemed within his grasp?
“So, Mr. Shaw, what brings you to Serenity Church? What are you hoping for?”
Was there truly anything Adrian could want, but not have?
“A soulmate,” Adrian replied.
The moment the words left Adrian’s mouth, Luke suddenly picked up his pace!
Seeing Luke take two steps at a time and break into a run, a sharp glint flashed in Adrian’s eyes.
Adrian caught up easily, still relaxed enough to chat. “So, Lieutenant Holloway, what are you here to wish for?”
Luke let out a cold laugh, his voice brimming with challenge. “I’m here for a
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soulmate too!”
At that, sparks seemed to fly between them.
The next second, the two men were racing headlong up the stone steps, neck and neck.
A monk in simple robes sat at the church’s entrance. A sudden gust of wind startled him out of his doze.
He glanced inside, catching only a glimpse of two athletic figures already dashing far beyond his reach.
“Hey!” the gatekeeper called out, though he knew they were long gone and couldn’t hear him.
Still, he muttered after them, “No visitors allowed at the church today…”
Inside, Luke and Adrian sprinted straight for the spot where wishes were made.
Luke grabbed a bundle of candles and rushed toward the altar.
Adrian, standing back, calmly flicked open his lighter and lit his candles.
Almost in sync, both men finished preparing their candles and strode toward the
altar.
When they reached out to place their candles in the stand, they paused–someone else’s candles were already burning there.
They both froze.
Had someone beaten them to it?
Adrian and Luke turned in unison, spotting a striking man in a long black overcoat standing atop the church steps. One hand was tucked casually into his trouser pocket as he gazed down at them with an air of indifferent authority.
Luke’s expression hardened. Had he claimed the first wish?
Adrian’s lips curled into a smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Mr. Vaughn, you’re up early.”
Harrison’s voice cut through the cold mountain air, as sharp as the wind itself.
“Serenity Church doesn’t open to the public until this afternoon. I’m afraid you’ll have to leave.”
So the Vaughn family had reserved the entire church for themselves.
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But Adrian seemed unfazed by Harrison’s words.
“How did you get up here, Mr. Vaughn?”
He eyed Harrison’s handmade leather shoes–hardly the footwear for climbing a mountain trail.
Harrison saw no reason to answer.
Adrian answered his own question with a smirk, “You came up by car, didn’t you? In that case, your wish doesn’t count.”
With that, Adrian pulled Harrison’s burning candle from the stand and replaced it with his own.
Luke followed suit, adding his candle next to Adrian’s.
Together, they stood with their backs to Harrison, facing the altar, each silently making a wish.
Smoke seemed to cloud Harrison’s face with barely suppressed anger.
“Mr. Shaw! Why did you take out the candle Harrison lit for Natalie?!”
Felicity marched up behind Harrison, her voice brimming with indignation as she
defended him.
Adrian tossed the broken candle into the trash.
He turned, meeting Harrison’s gaze head–on.
Even though Harrison stood higher up, the force of Adrian’s stare made them equals.
“The dead have moved on. It’s the living who need God’s blessing.”
A cold, disdainful laugh slipped from Harrison’s throat. “So, Mr. Shaw–what exactly did you wish for?”
“I wished for her to find peace at last, untouched by sorrow or hardship.”
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