Chapter 88

Hearing Ethan’s voice, Nora turned her face away and quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Ethan walked in and, seeing Nora shrink away from him, felt a sharp pang in his chest. “Nora, I made breakfast, your favorites. Eat a little before you go back to sleep, or your stomach will hurt.”

Nora froze momentarily at Ethan’s words. He made breakfast? she wondered. He didn’t go to work today? And he even made me breakfast? What’s Ethan up to now?

Nora shook her head, her voice cold 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 grown so distant? he wondered, a pang of bitterness in his chest.

“Alright, but don’t forget to eat,” Ethan said softly.

As Ethan turned to leave, Nora remained silent. Only when the door closed did the tears she had struggled to hold back suddenly burst forth like a storm, each drop pelting the bedsheet with relentless force.

Ethan, I’ll let you go. I choose to walk away. You win, Nora wondered.

Ethan arrived at the office, distracted, his face dark as thunder. 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, just as he’d expected. He knew Sienna 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. Preston in a bad mood? Did Mrs. Preston come by this morning? Give it to me. I’ll go check on him,” said Shirley.

Sienna drove Amber to the amusement park. As the bustling park came into view, Amber’s little cowlick bounced playfully, her lips curling into an irrepressible grin.

Amber huffed, “This place looks so boring. I’m only here to keep you company–wouldn’t have come otherwise.”

Amber crossed her arms with a haughty hmph and strode boldly inside. But as she reached the doorway, she couldn’t resist a furtive glance over her shoulder to check if Sienna 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, as if repelled by an invisible force.

Lana’s eyes darted around, ever vigilant 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 as a child. She used to hide it all around her room.

Amber pouted and grumbled, “So lame. 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 Sienna, 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 as she 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. “Actually, 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 narrowed haughtily at Lana, chin lifted high just to meet her gaze. Petite as she was, she looked like a tiny tot standing before her.

Amber wore blue overalls and a T-shirt with a cat design. The most adorable part was her shoes. The little bunny pattern suited her perfectly.

With a defiant little huff through her delicate nose, Amber marched straight into the blazing sun to sign up.