Chapter 23 When Zachary woke up, everything before his eyes was empty. His assistant stood by the bed, voice choked with emotion: "Mr. Madderford, the bullet went through your lung. You were so close to not making it back..." "You could have just hidden in the car at that moment. Why did you have to shield that kid from the bullet?" Zachary only gave a slight tug at the corner of his lips. Because, at that time, Treyton was holding Camila. And it was only when Camila clung to Treyton, sobbing in pain, that he finally understood what it meant to be in utter despair. It was his own arrogance that had caused him to lose Camila. Zachary turned his head to look out the window; the sunlight was still bright and beautiful. It was as lovely as that one afternoon, when he sat on the sofa reading documents, and Camila, holding a book, bounced over and sat down beside his leg, her eyes curved in a smile. "You go on with your work, I'll just keep you company for a while." A gentle breeze lifted her hair, winding around his fingertips, and also around his heart. "By the way, Mr. Madderford, the servant brought this over. It's the gift box that Ms. Camila once threw away." Zachary opened the box. Inside was a black velvet case containing a men's ring. Besides that, there was also a pink letter. It was covered in neat, elegant handwriting, but his eyes were immediately drawn to one line- "Zachary, I like you! I really, really like you!" Plop. A drop of water fell onto the paper, blurring the inked words. Only then did Zachary realize that he was actually crying. He closed his eyes, letting the tears run messily down his face. So it turns out, if you miss your chance once, you truly lose the one you love forever, 0.0 % 09:05 Even if he gave everything he had, he could never get her back. *** Time flew by, and in the next six months, Camila and Treyton went to Turkey together to ride a hot air balloon. They strolled hand in hand along the beaches of the Aegean Sea. They walked through the lavender fields in the south of France, holding hands and sharing kisses amidst the romantic purple blooms... And when they were chasing the aurora together in Norway. "Cami..." Green silk and purple ribbons intertwined and danced across the night sky. Treyton knelt down on one knee before her. Camila's breathing grew gentle as she gazed into his eyes. In that moment, the aurora flowed behind him, making his eyes shine as brilliantly as gemstones. Just as he was about to recite the proposal yows he had prepared, Camila reached out her hand to him directly: "Put it on for me." She didn't need too many pretty words, because actions always spoke louder than anything else. And this bold and unrestrained man had, time and again, used his actions to slowly walk into her heart. So, she was certain she had found her answer. Treyton was stunned for a moment, his hands trembling, but he still solemnly and reverently slipped the ring onto her ring finger. "I love you, Cami." "I love you too, Treyton." The aurora in the sky shone even brighter, as if celebrating for them. Camila rose on tiptoe and kissed the man who would spend the rest of his life with her. Behind them, the last trace of the aurora faded into the sky, and dawn quietly arrived. And together, they would walk hand in hand through every dusk and dawn to come, 51.8 % 09:06