He clutched the ring she once wore tightly in his palm, pressing it against his chest. It made him feel closer to her.

’You are the scar over my heart.’

The longing, which grew stronger with each passing day, made him want to see Annabelle Linton again. He desperately wanted to see her, even if just for a moment...

RING—

The phone rang.

After it had rung for some time, Leona Grant finally answered, but he remained silent.

’He knew it wasn’t Annabelle Linton. He’d waited a month for her call and had long since given up hope...’

"Hello?" Xylas Shepherd’s voice came through the phone. "Leona, are you there?"

Leona Grant leaned against the wall, his gaze downcast, and said nothing.

After a long pause, Xylas asked, his voice uncertain, "Hello? You there?"

"If there’s nothing, I’m hanging up."

Leona Grant was about to hang up when Xylas hurriedly called out, "Wait, there is! Of course there is! Nathaniel and I are having dinner over on Serenity Street. Want to come eat with us? There’s a lantern festival here tonight, it’s really lively. It’d be a shame to miss it."

Leona Grant had no intention of going. Just as he was about to hang up, he suddenly remembered something.

’Annabelle Linton loved Western food. Once, when they went out to eat, she had recommended a place that was also on Serenity Street.’

’She had smiled throughout the entire meal. Maybe it was because he’d granted her small wish, or maybe the food was just that good.’

’It was probably the former, though. That was the first time he’d ever been so hungry he just said "whatever" instead of refusing her suggestion.’

A shadow passed over Leona Grant’s eyes. "What are you eating?" he asked, his voice raspy.

"Western food, at The Sovereign Restaurant."

Leona Grant froze, then, as if compelled by some unseen force, he agreed.

...

Twenty minutes later, Leona Grant arrived at The Sovereign Restaurant.

The restaurant’s decor hadn’t changed. Crystal chandeliers, gilded walls, impeccably dressed patrons—everything was quiet and elegant.

Though nothing had changed, he felt nothing. It was a stark reminder: the place remained, but the person was gone.

As soon as Leona Grant walked in, a waiter respectfully approached, bowing slightly. "Are you Mr. Grant, sir? Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Locke are waiting for you upstairs. Please, follow me."

Leona Grant didn’t move. With his hands in his pockets, his gaze drifted unconsciously to a table by the window. That was where he and Annabelle Linton had sat.

He stared at the spot for a moment, and for a fleeting second, he could almost see Annabelle Linton’s radiant smile. But then, it was gone.

Leona Grant pressed his lips into a thin line and gave the waiter a flat look. "I want to sit there."

The waiter was taken aback, slow to react. "But... Mr. Shepherd and the others are waiting for you upstairs. Besides, it’s rather noisy here. I’m afraid it’s not the best spot for you."

"It’s fine." Leona Grant walked straight toward the table by the window.

"...Of course. I’ll make the arrangements immediately."

A short while later, Xylas Shepherd and Nathaniel Locke were escorted downstairs.

Xylas Shepherd gave him a confused look. "Don’t you hate sitting out in the open like this? What’s gotten into you today? Decided to see how the common folk live?"

Leona Grant’s gaze drifted indifferently out the window, a faint, distant look appearing in his eyes again.

’He really did hate crowds and always chose a private room.’

’But that time, he and Annabelle Linton had sat right here in the main dining area.’

’After they sat down, they didn’t have much to talk about, but the silence wasn’t awkward.’

’He had his head down, looking at his phone, while Annabelle Linton gazed excitedly out the window.’

’The bustling view was reflected in her beautiful eyes, and her smile was pure and innocent. For a few seconds, he found himself staring, lost in a daze. In a rare moment of engagement, he’d asked her, "What’s so interesting to look at?"’

Annabelle Linton had smiled and said, "If you take the time to look outside, you’ll always see something new. In this life, the only things that should never be taken for granted are love and a beautiful view."

Remembering her words, Leona Grant instinctively looked out the window.

But as his gaze drifted outside, two figures caught his eye.

WHOOSH—

A boundless, icy aura erupted from Leona Grant.