Chapter 342: Chapter 342: Let’s Be Together (1)

As these thoughts surfaced, the air around him seemed to thin.

Slumped over the steering wheel, his figure sank into the darkness of the night, shrouded in a faint, eerie glow.

Helpless, heartbroken, lonely, and pained.

Perhaps the cruelest thing in this world is knowing you were wrong, wanting to make amends, but discovering you’ll never have the chance.

It was like being a teenager again, always talking back to your parents over one thing or another, hurting their feelings.

But only after becoming a parent yourself do you realize all the helplessness and heartache your own parents endured.

You want to repay their love and care, only to find they have long since left this world.

All that remains is helpless, irreversible regret.

This was the exact pain Leona Grant was feeling right now.

’What am I supposed to do, Annabelle?’

’I can’t forget you, and I can’t make up for the hurt I caused. What am I supposed to do...’

...

「Celestia.」

Annabelle Linton’s injuries were quite severe this time.

Her previous injuries—the snake venom and the fall—were the sort that were essentially gone once healed.

This wound, however, was from a blade. Because the cut was deep, it required careful and proper healing.

Aaron Wyatt took her to a resort so she could relax and recuperate.

The resort’s scenery was stunning, the kind of beauty one would find in a secluded, idyllic paradise.

Wandering amidst the green mountains and clear waters, she felt a sense of tranquility wash over her.

People without worries are always happy, and Annabelle Linton felt that this past month had been the most carefree and joyful of her entire life.

On a sunny afternoon, the two were camping and having a barbecue in the mountains.

Aaron Wyatt busied himself setting up the tent and the grill, while Annabelle Linton sat fishing on a small bridge.

The gentle sunlight spilled onto her, enveloping Annabelle Linton in a soft glow, as if she were gilded in its warmth.

From a distance, Aaron Wyatt watched Annabelle Linton’s serene figure for a very long time.

Shaking himself from his reverie, he slowly walked to her side. He glanced at the few lively little fish in the small bucket next to her and raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Hey, not bad! You actually caught something. I thought you were going to be just like old times and not get a single one all day."

"If you’re going to give me a compliment, then just give me a compliment. Why’d you have to bring up the past?" Annabelle Linton baited her hook, cast her line into the water, and looked at him with a smile.

Her faint smile caught him by surprise for a second. Then, a grin played on his lips as he casually sat down in the chair beside her.

"Hey, I wanted to praise you, I really did. But there’s not much you’re good at, and I can’t lie just to be nice, can I?"

Annabelle Linton laughed and tossed a book at him. "Just read your book, will you? You’re scaring all the fish away. We’ll have nothing to eat tonight."

"It’s not like you can eat them anyway. The few in your bucket are more than enough for me, Dr. Linton."

Annabelle Linton gave him a look of mock disdain, raising an eyebrow. "Tsk—aren’t you supposed to not bite the hand that feeds you? How come that rule doesn’t seem to apply to you?"

"I’m a generous soul."

"You’re thick-skinned." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

They looked at each other and broke into a knowing smile.

They were just the same as they had been years ago—it only took a single glance to know what the other was thinking.

Their hobbies were similar, their tastes were similar, their daily routines were similar. Almost everything about them was similar, and they shared a deep sense of connection.

Good friends aren’t defined by gender, and true affection doesn’t fade with time. This saying was a perfect fit for them.

Annabelle Linton set her fishing rod on its stand, picked up a book, and began to read. Aaron Wyatt softly averted his gaze and began to flip through the book in his own hands.

And so, the afternoon slipped away.

Annabelle Linton was so engrossed in her reading that she didn’t notice Aaron Wyatt’s tender gaze resting upon her for the longest time.

For a fleeting moment, he wished that time could freeze right there.

By the time dusk approached, they had caught a whole bucketful of fish.