Ethan stood before Amy , his gaze almost pleading . " Give me three days . " His voice was hoarse . " If you still can't forgive me after that ... I'll let go . Disappear from your life forever . " Edward stared coldly at him . " What makes you think she'd agree ? " Amy remained silent for a long moment before finally looking up at Ethan . " Alright . Three days . " Edward abruptly grabbed her wrist . " Amy , have you lost your mind ? " Amy gently freed her hand . " I need closure . " Ethan's seaside villa stood blindingly white under the sun . Amy stood at the entrance , fingers trembling slightly . Every detail mirrored their marital home - even the roses flanking the porch were identical . " Do you like it ? " Ethan asked softly . " I hired the finest architects . Rebuilt it brick by brick exactly as before . " Amy walked past him without answering , fingertips brushing a hallway photo frame containing their wedding portrait . For three days , Ethan scarcely left her side . 10:23 288 Vouchers Chapter 17 : 288 Wouchers Amy stood inside the replica villa , tracing the photo frame on the wall . Her beaming bridal smile contrasted with Ethan's arm wrapped tenderly around her waist . She studied the image but couldn't recall her own joy from that day . Ethan entered carrying warm milk . " You always had a cup before bed . " Amy kept staring out the window , back turned . " What are you thinking about ? " He moved beside her , voice hushed . Amy turned to face him . " Wondering ... if I'd really died back then , would you have found another stand - in to replace me ? " Ethan's hand jerked . Milk droplets stained the carpet . Amy took the mug but didn't drink . She left it steaming on the nightstand until the warmth faded . " Not having any ? " " Not thirsty . " Ethan's knuckles whitened before he simply nodded , tucked her blankets , and switched off the light . In darkness , Amy lay awake listening to waves crash outside . Again . And again . Ethan prepared her favorite breakfast : freshly ground oatmeal , perfectly fried eggs , toast . Amy mechanically speared a bite at the dining table . 17.67 % 10:23 Chapter 17 283 Wouchere The flavors matched - even surpassed - her memories . Yet she tasted nothing . " Is it good ? " Ethan watched her expectantly . Amy set down her fork . " Yeah . " One syllable . Nothing more. His smile froze but quickly thawed . " It's lovely outside . Shall we sit in the garden ? " Amy shook her head . " I need to be alone . " Ethan's fingers drummed the tabletop before he yielded . " Alright , I'll be in the study . Call if you need me . " She walked to the floor - to - ceiling window without answering . Outside , the rose garden remained unchanged - every bush precisely where memory placed it . Yet Amy knew everything had shifted . Her heart felt hollowed out , impossible to fill with relics . Amy hadn't slept all night . She sat by the window , watching the moon sink bit by bit as the sky turned pale gray . When Ethan pushed the door open , she remained frozen in that position , not even blinking . " You ... didn't sleep ? " Ethan's voice came out hoarse . 10:23 Chapter 17 785 Yourse Amy didn't answer . Ethan stepped closer , reaching to touch her shoulder but stopping at the last moment . " Want something to eat ? " Amy finally spoke , her voice barely audible : " Ethan . " " Yeah ? " " Do you remember what you said on our wedding day ? " Ethan paused before answering quietly : " I said ... I'd always love you , protect you , and make you happy . " Amy gave a faint smile : " Yet everything you do now only hurts me more . " Ethan's breath hitched as if stabbed . " I just ... wanted to make things right . " " You can't . " Amy finally turned to him , her eyes holding no hatred - only barren desolation . " You rebuilt the same house , planted the same garden , made the same breakfast ... but you can't bring back the old me . " " I'm not that Amy who loved you anymore . " Ethan stood rooted , all strength draining from him . He opened his mouth to speak , but no words came out . Early on the third morning , Edward appeared at the villa entrance . Ethan blocked the doorway , his gaze icy : " She doesn't want to see you . Edward sneered : " You sure that's what she wants ? " As they faced off , Amy descended the stairs : " Edward ? " Seeing him , the tension in Amy's brow visibly eased . She hadn't smiled once during these three days with Ethan . 10:23 Chapter 17 Ethan turned immediately : " You need rest . Leaning on the banister , pale - faced , Amy insisted : " Let him in . " Ethan's fists clenched and unclenched before he finally stepped aside . Edward rushed up the stairs , grasping Amy's hands : " Are you alright ? " Her fingertips were freezing : " Take me away . " At the foot of the stairs , Ethan's expression shattered piece by piece . By the seaside , Ethan stopped Amy from leaving . " You promised me three days . " His voice trembled . " Three hours left . " Amy lifted her eyes , suddenly weary : " For me , it ended long ago . She took Ethan's hand and pressed it against her abdomen : " Right here , we had a child . But because of you , she's gone . " " I've cried nearly every tear for you . I won't shed another . " " If you won't let me go , then lock me up and torture me to death ! " She released his hand . The lingering warmth on Ethan's fingers burned like fire . His nails dug deep into his palms , yet ultimately , he stepped aside . Amy walked toward Edward's car without looking back . Ethan stood at the villa entrance , watching the car vanish over the horizon . Slowly he crouched down , covered his face , shoulders shaking . The waves still crashed , the roses still bloomed , the villa still stood . 10:24 288 Vouchere Chapter 17 But the one who used to smile at him would never come back . Chapter 18 Chapter 18