12 The realization hit Mason with full force. All my strange behavior over the past month suddenly made sense. Ethan remained silent. Perhaps I'd been planning my escape for over a month. Had Qiana's influence been that great? As if summoned, Qiana called. "Ethan, Mason, I'm at the restaurant. The celebratory dinner. Where are you guys?" Mason held the phone, unable to answer. After a long pause, he said hoarsely, "Qiana, forget dinner. We'll talk later." What was the point of a celebratory dinner without me? Ethan sat staring at his shattered phone, lost in thought. Suddenly, a familiar realtor appeared with a man in a gray suit. "Ma'am, this house..." The realtor enthusiastically described the property's merits. He looked surprised seeing Ethan and Mason. Mr. Ethan, Mr. Mason, what are you doing here? Didn't you sell the house? Are you..." He glanced around, checking if the belongings had been moved. "We're not selling. I'll buy it," Ethan said without hesitation. The realtor thought he was hallucinating. He stared, speechless. After a long moment, he asked tentatively, "Mr. Ethan, are you serious?" "Completely serious. Let's sign the contract." Ethan's brow was furrowed, his tone firm. The realtor's face lit up. "Of course! Right here. Just sign." Ethan quickly reviewed the contract and signed. Mason didn't object. Buying the house prevented it from falling into someone else's hands. They were close enough; it was just a matter of saying the word to move in. The house held too many memories. If I had moved to the Riverview Mansion with them, this house wouldn't have mattered. As long as I was there. But I was gone. They didn't want to lose even the memories. 17:11 6.9 Late into the night, they sat on the floor of the empty house. Everything was gone. Everything that belonged to me was gone. A crushing loneliness enveloped Ethan and Mason. Before, with me, they had endless things to say, always trying to make me happy. Now, only two of them remained. They stared at each other, devoid of the desire to speak.