7
11:25 Thu,
<
Five years of isolation from the world had left me somewhat out of touch with the
business world.
But I was, after all, Richard Ruan’s daughter. Growing up immersed in this environment, business acumen flowed in my blood.
With the help of my father and Ethan, I quickly got up to speed.
I successfully led several important overseas acquisitions, silencing those old fogies on the board who had initially been skeptical about me.
The name “Aria Ruan” began to make waves in the business world.
Ethan remained my chief assistant and most trusted partner.
He always managed to hand me the most accurate data when I needed it, and brew a cup of coffee at just the right temperature when I was exhausted.
The rapport between us had long surpassed that of an ordinary boss and subordinate.
That night, after dealing with the last document, I leaned back in my chair, exhausted.
Ethan came over and silently massaged my temples, his touch just right.
“Young miss, it’s time to rest.”
“Mm.” I closed my eyes, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility. “Ethan, thank you.”
“It’s what I should do.”
“No,” I opened my eyes and turned to look at him, “I mean, thank you for not giving up on finding me these five years.”
He looked at me, emotions surging in his deep eyes.
“Because,” he said, each word clear and distinct, “you are my whole world.”
My heart skipped a beat.
<
11:25 Thu, 10 Jul
We gazed at each other, the office so quiet we could hear each other’s heartbeats.
I suddenly smiled and reached out to hold his hand.
“Ethan,” I said, “from now on, don’t call me young miss anymore.”
“Call me Aria.”
He froze, then his eyes lit up brighter than the stars outside.
He gripped my hand tightly, as if holding his entire life.
“Alright… Aria.”
Outside the window, the night was gentle.
I knew that my brand new life was just beginning.
And those unbearable memories of the past would turn to dust and scatter in the wind.
As for Lucas Lin, I later heard that he was sentenced to ten years in prison for multiple
convictions.
In prison, he seemed to have developed mental issues, always muttering to the wall, saying he was wrong and begging for Aria’s forgiveness.
But all of this had nothing to do with me anymore.
Ethan and I’s wedding went ahead as planned.
Azure sea, white sand, blooming flowers.
I wore a pristine white wedding dress, arm in arm with my father, walking step by step towards the man who had waited half a lifetime for me at the end of the red carpet.
Ethan wore a white suit, handsome as a prince from a fairy tale. He looked at me, his eyes filled with the gentlest starlight in the world.
My father solemnly placed my hand in his.
11:25 Thu, 10
<
“Ethan Quinn, I entrust my daughter to you from now on.”
“Please rest assured, Father-in-law.” Ethan held my hand tightly, making a solemn promise, “I will use my life to love her, to protect her.”
We exchanged rings and made lifelong vows under the witness of the priest and all our family and friends.
When Ethan’s lips met mine, I heard the sound of waves, the sound of wind, and my own clear and strong heartbeat.
I knew I was happy.
After the wedding, we went to many places for our honeymoon. We saw the Northern Lights in Scandinavia, witnessed the great animal migration in Africa, and explored the ancient Mayan civilization in South America.
We put aside all work and identities, enjoying our world of two like the most ordinary
couple.
This day, as we were strolling along the Seine in Paris, my phone received an email from
back home.
It was from the company’s legal department.
“Lucas Lin died of a sudden heart attack in prison yesterday morning. Resuscitation
efforts were unsuccessful.”
I stared at that line for a few seconds.
Ethan noticed my unusual reaction and asked with concern,
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I turned off the phone screen and smiled at him. “Just a spam email.”
I put my phone back in my bag and looked up at the Eiffel Tower in the distance, shimmering golden in the evening light.
Lucas Lin was dead.
The man who had once brought me endless pain, but also made me grow up completely, had finally, utterly disappeared from this world.
In my heart, there was no hatred, no resentment, not even a hint of satisfaction.
Just an unprecedented calmness.
As if brushing away a speck of dust that should have been swept away long ago.
Ethan hugged me from behind, his chin resting gently on the top of my head.
“What are you thinking about?”
I turned around, hugging him back, burying my face in his warm chest.
“I’m thinking how good it is to have you.”
He chuckled softly, tightening his arms around me.
“Me too.”
The evening breeze of the Seine River blew gently.
I knew that from now on, my life would only be filled with sunshine, flowers, and love.
No more shadows.
2days ago
