Chapter 17 Here is the translated text , following all specified rules and guidelines . *** ## Chapter 17 : I Changed My Wish Ever since Hayden's accident two years ago , his parents had turned to Buddhism . Especially Madam Hughes . She'd set up a small shrine in the house and would go there to pray every morning and evening . At first , she prayed for Hayden's safe return . The heavens must have heard her devout prayers , because Hayden eventually came back to the family , safe and sound . After that , her wish changed : she started praying for Hayden and me to finally end up together . So , when I suggested a family trip to the Serene Peace Temple on the outskirts of the city that weekend , Mr. and Mrs. Hughes both eagerly agreed . The Serene Peace Temple was famous throughout the region for being incredibly effective when praying for love . Early Saturday morning , Hayden drove , picking up me and his mom before heading to the hospital to get his . dad . From there , we would all go to the temple together . While Hayden went to handle his father's discharge paperwork , Madam Hughes quietly pulled me aside . " Aubrey , do you think Hayden's finally seen the light ? He didn't bring that Isabelle girl today . " I just smiled without saying anything . This was actually part of the deal I'd made with Hayden . His father's last medical episode was triggered by his stubborn insistence on being with Isabelle . No matter how much he loved her , he wasn't about to stress his dad out again right after he got out of the hospital . Besides , I had other plans . Madam Hughes looked incredibly relieved . She took my hand in hers and whispered gently , " Aubrey , the Serene Peace Temple works wonders . In a little while , you have to kneel before the Goddess with all your heart and pray for her to bring you and Hayden back together . " I nodded . " Okay , I will . " Hayden finished the paperwork and came back , slowly helping his father walk over to us . The tension between father and son seemed to have eased considerably . With Isabelle absent , the two of Chapter 17 them were no longer at each other's throats . As we left , Mr. and Mrs. Hughes naturally settled into the back seat of the car . I instinctively reached for the handle of the passenger door but my hand froze as a thought struck me . " Aubrey , hurry up and get in , " Madam Hughes called out . I forced a small smile and glanced at Hayden . I love Snoopy . Back when we were together , the seat cushion and floor mats on his passenger side were all Snoopy - themed . But now , they had all been replaced with pink lace . It was a sea of gaudy , obvious lace . Hayden finished helping his father get comfortable and turned back to see me staring , transfixed , at the pink fabric . " Why aren't you getting in ? " He followed my gaze , and his expression turned a little awkward . I said , " Maybe Madam Hughes should sit up front ? She gets carsick , so she'll be more comfortable here . I can sit in the back and chat with Mr. Hughes . " * He probably wouldn't want another woman sitting on Isabelle's things , * I thought . But Hayden just pursed his lips , his Adam's apple bobbing once . " It's fine , " he said . " Get in . " I opened the door , took off my coat , and spread it smoothly over the pink lace cushion before carefully sitting down . When I looked back , I realized Hayden was just standing there , unmoving , his eyes fixed on me . I asked him , " What are you staring at ? Let's get going . We can't park in front of the hospital for too long . " Hayden snapped out of his daze , got into the driver's seat , and slowly started the car . The Serene Peace Temple was quiet today . The ancient pines and cypress trees stood tall , casting the grounds in a tranquil , green silence . Madam Hughes pulled me by the hand , and we knelt together on the prayer cushions before the statue of the Goddess of Mercy . She pressed her palms together and murmured , " Oh , Goddess of Mercy , who saves us from suffering , I beg you , please stop tormenting these two children , Please , show your compassion and let them find their way back to each other . " She bowed with deep sincerity , her forehead touching the ground each time , holding the pose for a long " Aubrey , hurry , you have to bow with me . " I nodded and copied her , pressing my forehead to the floor . I was no stranger to bowing in a temple . In fact , my posture was even more practiced than hers . I had bowed like this more times than I could count , all to pray for a protection charm for Hayden . Only this time , I changed my wish . I hoped that Hayden would find happiness in the future . A happiness that was real and complete , even if I wasn't a part of it . " Young lady , it's you . " I looked up and saw an old monk with a long , white beard . Seeing my confusion , he explained with a smile , " You almost burned our temple down once . Have you forgotten ? " I froze . How could I forget that ? It was a long , long time ago . I'd heard that the Serene Peace Temple was the best place to pray for your love life , so I dragged Hayden here with me . Hayden didn't get it . We were so in love , so why did we need to pray for it ? I told him , " I'm way too cute and pretty to be tied down to one guy so soon ! I need to experience everything life has to offer . " The look on his face instantly soured . Of course , I was just teasing him . I loved seeing how possessive he got over me . I secretly watched his reaction , expecting him to either drag me out of there or get on his knees and beg the Goddess to smite all my other potential suitors . Instead , he thought for a moment and said , " If you ever really don't love me anymore , I'll let you go. " That was not the answer I wanted . I snuggled up and looped my arm through his , putting on a whiny , cute voice . " Hey , I was just kidding ! I'm sorry , don't be mad . You're the only one I'll ever love , for my whole life . " But Hayden was moody and quiet for the rest of the day . 3/4 It wasn't until we went to bow Derore te He told us it was a Wish Scroll . For every offering lamp you lit , you could write a wish on the scroll , and th temple's abbot would chant over it every ten days to bless the wishes . To make it up to Hayden , I ran off and lit every single offering lamp they had for the day . In exchange , they gave me an entire blank Wish Scroll for him , telling him he could write down all his dreams . A whole book of them ! But I had lit too many lamps , and the temple grounds were full of oily pine and cypress trees . I almost burned down the whole temple . Thankfully , there were large water urns scattered around . It took me , Hayden , and several novice monks the entire afternoon to finally put out the fire . I looked at the old monk apologetically . " I was young and reckless back then . I'm so sorry for all the trouble | caused ." The old monk stroked his white beard and laughed heartily . " Not at all . Everything is bound by fate . Besides , in the Buddhist Teachings , we call that ' wood fire illuminating brightness . ' It's a very good omen . " Madam Hughes looked pleasantly surprised and turned to Hayden . " You and Aubrey came here before ? " Hayden shook his head . " I don't remember . " A flicker of disappointment crossed Madam Hughes's face as she smiled weakly . " Oh . " The old monk chuckled again . " See ? A good omen indeed . After all these years , the two of you have returned together . It seems those offering lamps weren't lit in vain . So soulmates really did end up together . By the way , are you here today to give thanks for your answered prayers ? " " No , " Hayden said flatly . " We're just here to pray for my parents ' health . "