bChapter /bb88 /b

Hearing Ethan’s voice, Nora turned her bface /baway and quickly wiped the tears from the corners bof /bher eyes.

Ethan walked in and, seeing Nora shrink away from him, felt a sharp pang in his chest, “Norab, /bI made breakfast, your favorites. Eat a little before byou /bbgo /bback to bsleep/b, or your stomach will hurt.”

Nora froze momentarily bat /bEthan’s words. He made breakfastb?/bb‘ /bshe wondered, ‘He didn’t go to work today? And he beven /bmade me breakfast? What’s Ethan bup /bbto /bnowb?/bb” /b

Nora shook her head, her bvoice /bcold and distant. “I’m not hungry Just leave. I need to rest.”

Ethan watched her retreating back, his outstretched hand frozen in midair. ‘Have we really bgrown /bso distant?‘ he wondered, a pang bof /bbitterness in his chest.

“Alright, but don’t forget to beat/bb, /bEthan said softly.

As Ethan turned to leave, Nora remained silent. Only when the door closed did the btears /bshe had struggled to hold back suddenly burst forth like ba /bstorm, each drop pelting the bedsheet with relentless force.

Ethan, I’ll let you bgo/b. I choose to bwalk /baway. You win, Nora wondered.

Ethan arrived at the office, distracted, his face dark bas /bthunder. Everyone kept their distance. His subordinates were all on edge. ‘Has Mr. Preston had another fight with Mrs. Preston?‘ they wondered.

His assistant informed Ethan that Sienna had refused his meeting request bjust /bbas /bhe’d bexpected/b. He knew Enna wouldn’t see him so easily.

“Shirley, Mr. Preston seems to be in a bad mood today. Why don’t you take this coffee to him?” someone suggested.

“Huh? Is Mr. bPreston /bin a bad mood? Did Mrs. Prestone by this morning? Give it to me. bI’ll /bgo check on him,” said Shirley.

Sienna drove Amber to the amusement park. As the bustling park came into bview/b, Amber’s little cowlick bounced yfully, her lips curling into ban /birrepressible grin.

Amber huffed, “This ce looks so boring. I’m only here to keep youpany–wouldn’t havee otherwiseb./bb” /b

Amber crossed her arms with a haughty hmph and strode boldly inside. But as she reached the doorway, she couldn’t resist a furtive nce over her shoulder to check bif /bSienna was following.

Sienna came up behind her, adjusting her mask and cap, though the disguise did little to soften her presence.

Her cool detachment and razor–sharp aura made her stand out in the crowd, and people instinctively gave her a wide berth, bas /bbif /brepelled by an invisible force.

Lana’s eyes darted around, ever vignt for any sign of trouble.

“Why don’t you try the paddle boat race? The winner gets a Bartholomew Bear,” said Sienna.

Sienna remembered how much Amber had loved Bartholomew Bear bas /ba child. She used to hide it all around her room.

Amber pouted and grumbled, “Some. I’m not going.”

Sienna didn’t catch the flicker of fear in Amber’s eyes.

Amber was terrified of water. When she was eight or nine, someone pushed her into the swimming pool. Ever since that day, she’d been terrified of

water.

Even in the shallowest water, she would freeze with fear, a dark shadow from her past always looming overhead.

Those childhood fears clung to Amber like a demon’s dark mist, forever lingering in her mind and binding her hands and feet.

“Miss Enna, don’t you love Bartholomew Bear? Let me do it. It’s just a little contest. I’ll win it for you, Lana said excitedly, rolling up her sleeves bas /bshe got ready to jump in.

At this, Amber hastily stuffed her bag into Lana’s arms and tilted her chin up, her eyes full of disdain. b“/bActually, this paddle boat thing looks kinda fun. I’m going to try it. You?

“Didn’t you see the sign? No contestants over 18. You’re not even eligible, yet here you are trying to butt in. Hmph.”

Lana found herself holding the small bag Amber had shoved into her arms. Amber tried to put on a fierce look, but to Lana, she just looked like an adorably fierce little kitten trying to act tough.

Her eyes bnarrowed /bhaughtily at Lana, chin lifted high just to meet her bgaze/bb. /bPetite as she bwas/b, she looked like ba /btiny tot standing before her

Amber wore blue overalls and ba /bT–shirt with ba /bcat bdesign/b. The most adorable part bwas /bher shoesb. /bThe little bunny pattern suited her perfectly.

With a defiant little buff through her delicate nose, Amber marched straight into the zing sun to sign up

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