Chapter 2
The call ended.
Ethan had fallen asleep beside me, worn out from doing his homework.
I quietly pulled the workbook out from under his arm, and a card slipped to the floor.
[To my favorite person, my dear sister. She's beautiful—the best sister in the whole world. I want to grow up soon, make lots of money, and help her fix her eyes. Her eyes are actually really pretty.]
That little guy was just too sweet.
I sat there for a long while, breathing slowly.
Gently, I brushed his hair back and tucked a blanket around him.
The edge of the blanket slipped down, revealing the ugly burn scars on the back of his hand—the ones left from the fire.
Seven years had passed.
I took a deep breath.
That night, after he fell asleep, I threw myself into my side job—a translation gig I'd been doing to earn some extra money.
Ever since Cato's wedding, Andrew's profile picture had lit up again in our old class group chat.
Back in school, he'd been a star.
His family had been wealthy for generations—his grandfather had already built a business empire.
Now he'd returned home, bringing back his overseas company, preparing to take it public.
Everyone in the group practically worshiped him.
The chat was buzzing.
[Drew, was that girl who showed up with you the other day your fiancée?]
Half an hour later, Andrew came online. [Yeah. Sorry, I left in a hurry that day. Didn't get the chance to introduce her.]
My hand froze midair above the screen.
[She's gorgeous. You two look perfect together.]
[Isn't she the heiress of Bluewave Holdings? I've seen her photos online—she looks even more elegant in person.]
[Wait? The Bluewave Holdings heiress?]
Within minutes, the group chat had already confirmed the girl's identity.
[So are you two getting married?]
After a long pause, Andrew's name lit up again.
His reply was simple. [Soon will.]
That sealed it.
The group erupted in cheers.
I set my phone down and stared out the window for a long time.
Then I took off my heavy glasses and began wiping the lenses slowly.
*****
Seven years ago, Andrew and I had been in a relationship no one approved of.
In the end, it ended abruptly—with me leaving without a word.
We were so close to making it. But I couldn't even fulfill his last request.
At the time, his parents had arranged for him to study abroad.
He'd fought them for me. He wanted to prove he could make it on his own.
But the Carter family never gave him that chance.
The moment he chose me, his family turned against him completely—cut off every business, every job, every connection he could have had.
And being with me only dragged him down further. My family was nothing but a burden—bleeding him dry.
Without money, he couldn't take a single step forward.
Eventually, to earn something—anything—he started racing for prize money.
A crash nearly cost him his leg.
He could never race again.
Everyone who saw him lying in that hospital bed could feel his helpless pain.
Finally, his family relented—just a little.
"Go abroad for two years. Take Sophia with you. If we can't separate you two, then let's make her worthy of you."
His mom showed up with two recommendation lists for top overseas universities and handed them over to us.
When the door closed, Andrew's eyes finally lit up again.
He grabbed my hand, excitement flashing across his face. "Sophia, my family agreed. We'll go abroad together—study for two years.
"Don't say no. I'm going to marry you. I love you so much, and I swear I'll make you my wife in this lifetime."
That day, I held his hand back tightly. "Okay. We'll go abroad together."