"I said it."

Ethan Grant softened his voice, reaching out to wrap his arm around Serena Sullivan’s waist. He turned his head to look at her, "I won’t let anyone bully you again."

"Ha ha."

Serena smiled, looking at Ethan with deep affection. "With you and the Sterling Family protecting me, who would dare to bully me!"

Now, who would be reckless enough to think of bullying her?

What she said was true.

Yet Ethan saw dimness and sorrow in Serena’s eyes; he didn’t like to see that.

"Serena!"

He called out, but Serena pushed him away, slowly walking forward on her own.

From behind, Ethan asked her, "Are you still concerned about the past?"

The car accident four years ago, Simon Sterling’s abandonment, Claire Sullivan and Joel Quinn causing her heartbreak—did Serena still care about all of that?

Serena didn’t answer; she kept walking forward, looking up to see the blue sky and whiteness.

Concerned?

After suffering so much, enduring so much hardship, who can completely let it go and erase it all from memory?

She’s not a saint; she can’t possibly forget everything just because they’ve changed.

"No!"

She pulled her gaze back, turning her head to look at Ethan by her side, "Take me back to the studio, I’ve only finished half of Miss Monroe’s work."

After speaking, her lips curved into a faint smile.

Ethan used to love seeing Serena’s smile, bright and beautiful!

Seeing her smile now, his heart tightened painfully, "Serena..."

He wanted to comfort Serena, wanted to persuade her, but didn’t know what to say.

He wasn’t Serena; he hadn’t experienced the suffering of the past four years, and was in no position to say to let go or not!

"Ethan, some things can never be let go of completely, but I’ve changed."

The sharp edges of her youth had long been smoothed; she chose to forgive, to give everyone a chance, hoping for a peaceful life in return.

"Let’s go back."

Ethan understood her words. Her forgiveness was not because she had let go entirely, but because she had no choice but to let go.

Clinging to those painful pasts would only drag her down, keep her living in pain.

She still had a long future ahead, and could live a wonderful, happy life.

"Okay." Ethan no longer asked, no longer persuaded.

Whatever Serena said, that’s how it was!

As he helped her into the car, he first pulled her into his embrace before leaning down to kiss her lips, "Serena, no matter what, I’ll always be here with you."

As a teenager, he chased after her.

Four years ago, he failed her.

Now, no matter what, he stood behind her, supporting her.

Serena smiled, liking this protective Ethan even more, and liked even more that she could be in his embrace like this.

In the car, Ethan held Serena’s hand tightly. When the phone rang, he was reluctant to let go.

Serena glanced at the clinging Ethan, smiled with pursed lips, and inconveniently answered the phone with her left hand.

"Finn Chandler."

"Serena, I just went to the hospital."

On the other end came the sounds of car horns and people talking, and after listening to Finn’s words, Serena instinctively sat up straighter and asked, "What happened?"

"Are you feeling unwell?"

Finn wouldn’t specifically call just for an ordinary illness.

"I’ve been vomiting a lot these past few days, so I went for a check-up at the hospital just now."

Finn said slowly, and Serena turned to look at Ethan smiling at her, already with an answer in her heart.

"I’m pregnant."

Sure enough, Finn gave the answer.

This...