Chapter 21 After not seeing each other for a long time , Kenyon had clearly lost a lot of weight . Always attentive to details , he now had a noticeable stubble on his chin . This time , Marlene no longer showed the resistance and reluctance she once had , and she invited Kenyon into the house without hesitation . But Kenyon , who was always eloquent and persuasive , now found himself at a loss for words . Marlene turned and went inside , placing a bank card on the table . " My father had surgery a while ago , and I don't have much money left . Here is thirty thousand dollars . It's not much , but it's a token of my gratitude . " Back when Marlene had just graduated , her father was in a car accident . The whole family scraped together what they could , humbly borrowing and pleading with everyone they knew , but they were still fifty thousand dollars short of the surgery fee . When Marlene first arrived in New York , unfamiliar with everything , she could only cry helplessly in secret . Later , when Kenyon found out about it , he transferred eighty thousand dollars to her without a second thought . Although he said she could pay it back with her future salary , he never actually deducted anything over the years . Kenyon stared at the bank card on the table , tears shimmering in his eyes . He looked up and met Marlene's gaze . 08.29 Chapter 21 " Do you hate me ? " Marlene , on the contrary , smiled with relief . " I wouldn't say I hate you . After all , I've been quite happy these past five years . " In five years , Kenyon had taught Marlene a lot and changed her in many ways . Without Kenyon's guidance and help , she wouldn't have grown so quickly in her career . Thinking about it , it had been a long time since the two of them had such a calm and peaceful conversation . Kenyon gripped the bank card tightly , its four corners pressing into his palm , causing a faint pain . " I don't know what my mother said to you , but I apologize on her behalf . " Marlene smiled . " There's no need to apologize . It's understandable for a mother to be protective of her son . Just remember to consider your mother more before making decisions in the future . " Marlene turned her head to look out the window . There were signs that it was about to rain . " Mr. Burt , it's going to rain outside . You should go . " Kenyon held the bank card tightly as he stood up , turned around , and walked downstairs in disappointment . He looked up at the sky , which was covered in dark clouds , the muffled sound of thunder rolling closer . A raindrop landed on his face , damp and tinged with a chill . Kenyon raised his hand to wipe the rain from his face , as a thought began to grow wildly in his mind . The next second , he turned around and rushed back . 27.56 % 08 291 Chapter 21 Marlene was about to close the door when a pair of hands suddenly blocked the doorway . " Come with me somewhere . " Marlene didn't even have time to change her slippers before Kenyon pulled her into the car . 11 190 Volk beta : The car drove straight ahead and stopped at the entrance of an amusement park . The amusement park had long since closed , not a single person in sight . With the rain threatening to fall , the place felt even more deserted . " Can you stay with me for an hour ? Just one hour , that's all I ask . " The pleading look in Kenyon's eyes was something Marlene had never seen before . The always decisive Kenyon now spoke with a tone full of humility . " Just let me make up for one regret , okay ? " The Ferris wheel started up again , its lights shining brightly . As it slowly rose to the highest point , the entire cityscape unfolded before their eyes . " You once told me that if two people kiss at the top of the Ferris wheel , they'll be together forever . " There was an indescribable emotion in Kenyon's eyes , a faint joy hidden beneath his quiet anticipation . " I've forgotten , " Marlene turned her head away , smiling gently . " But Mr. Burt , I hope one day you'll bring a girl you love , and who loves you , here . " Kenyon lowered his eyes , masking his answer with a soft laugh , but in his heart , he answered the question in silence . 56.75 % 08:29 Chapter 21 Never again , Marlene . Never again . 290 Moocters At the very moment the Ferris wheel reached its highest point , Marlene's phone rang in her pocket . It was Alaric . " Where are you ? I'll come pick you up . ' It was a brief call , lasting only thirty seconds , and by then the Ferris wheel was slowly descending from its peak . Marlene smiled , unlocked the door from inside , and waved goodbye to Kenyon . " Mr. Burt , my boyfriend is here to pick me up . I'm heading home now . " Kenyon watched Marlene's figure as she walked away - slender and delicate , yet light and buoyant . He watched her walk toward Alaric , throw herself into his arms with a genuine smile , and never once look back . At that moment , Kenyon smiled with relief . He knew that they would never go back to the way things were .