CHAPTER 7: RESOLVE

ETHAN

Time became slower after I woke up from the dream. 

My sleepiness had disappeared with the dream, and even after tossing for a long time, I wasn't able to sleep anymore. 

I sat up in bed and began thinking deeply. 

Switching on my phone, I saw numerous messages from Vesper and Nick___ the pair of useless lovers. 

It made me wonder if they were together at the moment. But that didn't matter either. 

The only relationship I had with them in this life was that of enemies. So, their relationship no longer had anything to do with me. 

But it was easier to say... My heart still ached. 

No matter how hard I tried, the three years I spent loving him weren't fake, and my feelings for him weren't fake, either. 

Forgetting about those deep feelings so easily was impossible. 

I rubbed my brows and decisively deleted the messages from my phone. Seeing them only made me sadder. 

After clearing my phone of all their irrelevant messages, I went online to familiarize myself with this period again. 

It had been three years since I last experienced this date. 

The things that happened weren't as fresh in my memories, and the occurrences that could help with my decisions needed to be remembered carefully. 

I stayed online for hours, going through important news and investments that were available at this time. 

By the time I was done, it was already morning, and the sky was bright outside the window. 

I rubbed my eyes, feeling weary from staring at the screen for too long. 

Dropping my phone, I had intended to rest for a bit longer when I heard a knock on the door.

I raised a brow. "Come in." Even without asking who it was, the ones who could check on me so early in the morning in this house were only two. 

The ones who might have spent a sleepless night worrying about me and wishing to see me first thing in the morning... they were none other than my darling parents. 

The door opened with my approval, and my parents stepped in. 

My mother had changed into a white flowing gown. With her almost 5'9 "height and slim body, she looked like she was in her early thirties. 

Behind her was my father, who looked even taller with a height of about 6'5 and with a face that made him look like he was also in his early thirties. 

Looking at the two good-looking couples standing at the door and staring at me with a smile on their faces, a pang of guilt hit my chest. 

Why hadn't they given birth to another?

Why had they insisted on giving me everything they had and owned? 

Was it worth it? For a child like me who placed romantic love over parental love and even ended up drowning their happiness, I wonder if it was worth it...

My mother's smile deepened when she met my eyes, and she slowly approached. 

"My baby, how was your night?" Her voice was soft and welcoming. 

A smile involuntarily appeared on my weary face. The smile pushed back the guilt in my heart. "I'm fine, mum. My night was great, too." 

Even though I hadn't slept too well due to the weird dream, it was still a good night as I had been able to search online and make better plans about my future. 

Though the future remained uncertain with the countdown ticking on my wrist. 

"I'm okay now." I'd promised to be fine when I woke up this morning. 

It was time to fulfill my promise. "Even though I can't reconcile with the past yet." I remained a coward. "But dwelling on it for too long isn't advisable either." I would die before I could even make any advancement. 

My parents seemed delighted to hear my resolve. My father patted my back firmly. "That's my son." He declared proudly. 

He had always been proud of me. 

It was funny, but he had always been that way. He always gave me the illusion that I was perfect in every sense. 

"Erm, son, Daddy doesn't mean to interfere but that dis... I mean, Vesper, do you need Dad to help you deal with him?"

"Even with Leander supporting him, it wouldn't take Daddy much effort to deal with him. Do you need help?" His tone was cautious. 

My lips pressed tightly. 

Letting my dad deal with Vesper, that indeed sounded easy and nice. I wouldn't even have to do anything and could easily get rid of my enemies.  

But was that what I wanted?

Perhaps without the countdown on my wrist, I'd have wanted that. I'd have wanted a life of peace and happiness for myself without the burden of revenge. 

But things were different now. 

Though life had given me a second chance, it wasn't completely without condition, and in three years, I might die again. 

So, what would be my gain if Vesper and Nick were to be easily ruined? 

What about my child who was unjustly killed? Who was supposed to pay for that?

I shook my head. "No, Dad." I lowered my eyes and exhaled shakily. "Let me deal with this by myself." 

"Hm." My father didn't convince me further. "What do you need me to do? Daddy will support you no matter what." His assurance came candidly. 

I raised my head to look at my mother's gentle face. "Dad, I want to take over the consortium. Can you make me the chairman?" 

This was my resolve after thinking for hours. 

To live, I had to stay close to Leander. To stay close to Leander, I needed a reason, and being the head of the consortium gave me enough reason to make that happen. 

His business partner... though distanced,  was still a step forward. 

I wouldn't give up. 

Leander was my destiny... It was strange and weird, but I'd seen stranger things when I was nothing but a floating spirit. 

I could never let Leander go.