bChapter /bb55 /b

bAs /bsoon as Ferris finished bspeaking/b, the bdoor /bwas gently pushed open.

Ashley bwalked /bin.

The smile that had just begun to form on his lips instantly froze, and undisguised disappointment appeared between his brows.

b“/bWhy is bit /byoub?/bb” /bHis voice was coldb, /bcarrying an unmistakable sense of letdown.

Ashley caught that bbarely /bperceptible emotion in his eyesb, /bher heart tightening suddenly, her fingertips unconsciously gripping the corner of her clothes.

She didn’t ask more questions because she knew in her heart who he was really waiting for.

Ashley forced a gentle smile and walked closer, “I heard you weren’t feeling well, so I came specially to check on you. Ferrisb, /bare you feeling better now?”

Ferris shook his head, his tone calm, b“/bI’m fine now.”

“That’s a relief. Look at thisb./bb” /b

Ashley sat down by the bed, took out her phoneb, /bopened a picture and showed it to him.

This iis /ia promotional image of a hot spring resort. I’ve been wanting to go theretely to soak in hot springs and rx… Will youe with meb?/b”

bFerris’s /beyes moved slightly, falling into contemtion.

bHot /bspring resort.

Why did this name sound so familiar?

Ohb, /bright–that was the ce Aurora had once enthusiastically talked to him about.

She had said she wanted to go there with him for a short stay to rx.

But he had refused her at the time, using “too busy with work” as an excuse.

fis heart suddenly felt like it had been struck by something.

He was silent for a moment, initially wanting to decline as usual, but thinking of Aurora who had run away from home, he suddenly changed his mind.

Alright, this weekend then.”

Aurora’s POV**

held a ticket to the hot spring resort in my hand–this was a gift from Milo. He said I’d been too tiredtely and should rx properly.

Actually, I had wanted to go there for a long time.

Back then, I had been full of anticipation wanting Ferris to apany me, even specially choosing a couples package.

But he always said he was busy, and eventually I quietly gave up.

Now, though I no longer clung to hispanionship, I epted Milo’s kind gesture.

On the weekend, I drove alone to the hot spring resort.

The ce was even more beautiful than I had imagined, surrounded by green mountains and wreathed in clouds and mist. The hot spring area was quiet and private, with all kinds of facilities avable.

I changed into a bathrobe and entered the women’s bath.

that fusi senteal into the pool, thefortable water temperature enveloping my body, when less than a minuteter, I saw a line girl crouching by the edge of the hot sparing pool, cuitously peering at the water surface,

That area was 1.2 meters deep, and she looked to be only five or six years old–clearly not tall enough.

My heart tightened, and I was about to speak up to warn her when I heard a “ssh.”

She had indeed fallen in.

I immediately got up and rushed over to pull her out, holding her tightly in my arms.

The little girl burst into tears, coughing desperately, her face turning red from the strain.

I patted her back while softlyforting her: “It’s okay, don’t be afraid, it’s okay.”

She trembled as she held onto me, refusing to let go. I asked her about her family while carrying her out of the hot spring pool, preparing to find staff to help.

hist as I reached the entrance, I saw a familiar figure walking quickly toward us–it was Evan,

Before I could speak, the little girl in my arms was already crying and reaching out her hands, calling him with a nasal voice: “Uncle… Uncle…”

Ivan’s expression changed, and he quickly stepped forward to take her from my arms.

When he looked down and saw Liz soaked through, his face immediately darkened.

He held the child tightly, his gaze turning to me: “What happened?”