The charm traced a perfect arc through the air before landing somewhere in the darkness, lost.

Other than Kaia and Kaelan, no one there understood the significance of her action.

But Sienna keenly sensed a change in Kaelan.

She glanced at him, then turned her gaze to study Kaia.

After a moment, she smiled. "This is my first time meeting Ms. Storm. Do you have a boyfriend, Ms. Storm? Why didn't he come with you?"

This was the first time tonight that Kaia looked directly at Sienna Thorne.

The other woman wore exquisite makeup, and her words carried the same innate nobility as Kaelan's.

Kaia lowered her eyes, then answered slowly and firmly.

"I do."

The moment that word was spoken, Julian instinctively glanced at Kaelan, terrified Kaia would blurt out the truth and create a scene.

He wanted to stop her.

But before he could, Kaia spoke again. "But he died five years ago."

A sudden silence fell over the group.

Kaelan broke the quiet. "Sienna, let's go."

"Okay." Sienna nodded. Before walking towards Kaelan, she gave Kaia an apologetic look.

As they left, the others began to disperse as well.

Soon, only Julian and Kaia were left in the silent night.

"Kaia, let's go too," Julian said.

But Kaia didn't move.

She stared at the firework ashes on the white snow, her heart feeling hollow.

After a long moment, she managed a weak smile. "Yeah, it's time to go."

Kaia’s tone was light, but Julian could clearly see the exhaustion in her eyes.

He suddenly felt a pang of regret.

He had wanted Kaia to give up completely, but this method was too cruel for her.

He slowly raised his hand, wanting to give her a hug.

But Kaia was already walking towards the parking area.

Julian’s raised hand eventually fell back to his side, just as he tucked away those feelings that shouldn't exist, hiding them once more.

He knew he was just like Kaelan; he couldn't offer Kaia a marriage.

He understood even more clearly that even if he crossed the line of "friend," she would never accept him.

Since that was the case, it was better to just remain friends.

…

Julian dropped Kaia off downstairs from her rental and left.

In the dead of winter, Kaia didn't go upstairs immediately. Instead, she stood in the snow, looking up.

The New Year wasn't completely over yet. Every home still had its lights on, warm and inviting.

Only the window of the fifth-floor east-side apartment was dark.

That was once her and Kaelan’s home.

Kaia remembered that day eight years ago, when Kaelan came home excitedly, saying he had a surprise for her. He covered her eyes and led her all the way here.

The moment he took his hands away, a cozy, decorated little apartment appeared before her.

Back then, Kaelan had hugged her from behind, smiling as he said, "Kaia, from now on, this is our home!"

"I know it's small, but don't worry. When I have money in the future, I'll definitely buy you a bigger house."

Kaia clearly remembered how sincere he sounded when he said those words.

But in reality, he had been lying to her all along.

A wave of overwhelming emotions crashed over her. Kaia took deep breaths to withstand it.

Finally, having calmed down, she was about to step into the building when a faint rustle came from the bushes behind her.

Turning around, she saw a single red ember glowing and fading in the darkness.

By the faint moonlight, Kaia made out the figure.

It was Kaelan.

They stood face to face, watching each other, but neither moved.

They both knew that the few steps between them represented the chasm of their social classes.

He would not cross it, and she could never step over it.

Since this was the end, why did Kaelan have to appear again?

When she threw away that rabbit charm, when those fireworks faded, their story had ended. They were supposed to have no more contact.

So there was nothing left for them to say.

But for some reason, she wanted to call his name one last time, just like when they were still together—

"Ky, you're back."

Kaelan’s body visibly stiffened.

The next second, he strode forward. His cold palm cupped her neck, refusing any protest, and pulled her into a deep, crushing kiss.

This kiss was unlike any before.

There was no tenderness, no lingering affection.

It was like a final, frenzied celebration before the end of the world. Kaelan’s force was immense, heavy, as if he wanted to shatter her into pieces.

And Kaia, after a brief moment of blankness, chose to close her eyes, to sink, to let go…

It wasn't until Kaelan's tongue tasted a hint of salt that he pulled back slightly, only to find her face streaked with tears.

Kaelan seemed to want to say something, but Kaia wrapped her arms around him.

She couldn't see his face, only murmured as if in a dream, "Kaelan Vaughn, let's both move forward. And let's not look back."