"Get some rest, okay? I''m going to take a shower." Nathan gave her a gentle smile, his words lingering in the air as he slipped into the bathroom.

    A momentter, the sound of water running behind the door made Nathalie''s cheeks flush hot. Alone together at night, just the two of them-it felt scandalous, somehow. She couldn''t take it. With her heart racing, she hurried out.

    She wandered into the garden, letting the crisp night air wash over her. The cold breeze cooled the blush from her cheeks, bringing her back to her usual pale, almost porcinplexion. Only then did she steady herself and stand.

    Above her, a thin crescent moon hung in the sky, bathing the garden in silvery light. Shadows stretched across the grass and flower beds, making the whole ce feel mysterious and dreamlike.

    Nathalie strolled aimlessly among the roses and hydrangeas, her thoughts drifting as she kept ncing back at Nathan''s window. The lights were still on-what could he possibly be doing at this hour? Why wasn''t he turning in for the night?

    Fatigue crept up on her, heavy and sudden. She found an old wooden bench under an oak tree and sat down, her eyelids growing heavy. Before she knew it, she''d drifted off to sleep.

    She dreamed a strange, vivid dream. Nathan appeared before her, dressed in white silk pajamas, looking almost ethereal, like he''d stepped out of a painting ore down from the clouds.

    "Nathalie," he called softly, his voice so gentle it almost wrapped around her heart.

    "I have to go now."

    "Go where?" Nathalie blinked at him, startled.

    "Don''t be sad. I''lle see you again soon."

    She frowned, confused and a little frightened. Something felt off. She waved her hand in front of his face. "You... you can see me?"

    Nathan nodded.

    Nathalie shot to her feet, stunned. "That doesn''t make sense. I''m just a soul right now. You''re alive-how can you see me?"

    She reached out, trying to touch his face. To her shock, her hand was see-through —and Nathan''s face began to fade as well.

    But Nathan just kept talking, almost as if he couldn''t hear her panic. "Nathalie, from now on, I hope you get everything you wish for. Promise me you''ll keep searching for happiness."

    A cold wave of dread washed over her. Something was terribly wrong.

    Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream rang out from upstairs. "Oh no! The young master is gone-!"

    Nathalie''s whole body trembled. She stared at the house, then back at the fading Nathan before her. Was this really his spirit?

    "I don''t believe it," she whispered, her voice breaking. She refused to ept it. Nathan was just fine moments ago—

    She bolted inside, racing up the stairs to Nathan''s room.

    There he was, lying on the bed, hands folded over his chest. He looked so peaceful, almost like he wasjust sleeping-if only his skin wasn''t so ghostly pale.

    But the man preparing Nathan''s body shook his head. "Mr. Rond took his own life. Swallowed gold coins. It was suicide."

    Nathan''s mother copsed, her voice lost in despair. “My son had everything. Why would he do this?"

    Gavin''s tears fell, unchecked. "My wife is right. Our boy had no reason to end his life. Why... why would he do this..."

    Then they found Nathan''s will. He''d written in his notebook: "Dad, Mom, all the gentle spring breezes are just passing by. Don''t grieve for me. I''m off to keep my promise. No matter where I have to go, I owe hermy gratitude."

    Gavin sank to the floor, sobbing. "We brought you home all those years ago, but

    maybe your heart never truly came back with you."

    "Your heart always belonged to her."

    Nathalie looked down at Nathan''s lifeless body, feeling as if her own heart was being squeezed tight-each breath was agony.