Chapter 2

At 7:00 pm, Abigail brought me to Cloudtop Restaurant right on time.

We were indeed given the best table. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows lay the dazzling night view of the city.

I gallantly pulled out a chair for her.

Abigail blushed and smiled sweetly. "Nat, let's eat something first. There's a big surprise for you later."

I cut a small piece of steak and put it in my mouth. But before I could even swallow, her phone rang. It was Dominic's special ringtone, urgent and piercing.

Abigail's expression shifted slightly, and she immediately picked up.

Dominic's tearful voice came through the phone. "Abigail, my grandma suddenly took a turn for the worse and was rushed into the emergency room. I'm freaking out by myself. Can you come keep me company?"

Abigail tightened her hand around the phone and instinctively glanced at me.

I set down my knife and fork and looked at her quietly.

Her eyes flickered with hesitation, but in the end, she said into the phone, "Don't be afraid. I'll be right there."

After hanging up, she stood up and said apologetically and anxiously, "Nat, Dominic needs—"

Before she could finish, I interrupted her, "Go. It's a matter of life and death. Don't keep him waiting."

Abigail was stunned for a moment. She'd already braced herself for me to throw a tantrum and question her. She even furrowed her brow as she got ready to lecture me.

Never did it once cross her mind that I'd be this calm or that I'd even urge her to leave quickly.

She froze for a few seconds, suppressing the faint discomfort and unease in her chest.

"I knew you were the kindest," she said, leaning down to plant a firm kiss on my cheek. "Go ahead and eat. Wait for the surprise tonight. I prepared it especially for you. After you're done, I'll have my assistant, Jacob Bucley, take you home."

With that, she grabbed her coat and walked away without looking back.

I pulled out a wet wipe and expressionlessly cleaned the spot where she'd just kissed me, feeling as if I'd been soiled.

I didn't waste this perfect vantage point or the table full of exquisite food. I relished every single bite and topped it off with dessert.

At exactly 8:00 pm, brilliant fireworks suddenly began to bloom in the night sky outside the window.

That was the surprise Abigail had prepared for me.

The fireworks exploded, illuminating half the night sky. But when the sparks cleared, the words they formed read, "Dominic, I'm going to spoil you forever."

Those massive characters shimmered with golden light in the night sky. It was a true display of extravagance.

Jacob, standing nearby, broke out in a cold sweat and stole glances at me, terrified that I might flip the table and lose it at any second.

But I just rested my chin on my hands and quietly watched the fireworks outside the window.

How beautiful.

I remembered how Abigail once learned to make fireworks herself to celebrate my birthday, all so she could see that same fleeting spark of wonder in my eyes. Her hands were even stained black by the gunpowder.

Unfortunately, that person had long since died in the passage of time.

Memories came flooding back like a tidal wave, yet I realized that aside from a trace of wistfulness for the past, my heart remained utterly still. There was not even the slightest ripple of heartache or anger.

All I felt was relief that I'd been given a second life and finally saw Abigail for who she really was.

Just then, my phone vibrated with a text from Abigail.

"Nat, Dominic is devastated over his grandmother, Mrs. Gorman Senior's, situation. He's in a fragile state, so I had no choice but to change the firework display to cheer him up at the last minute.

"Don't overthink it, and whatever you do, don't cause him any trouble. This was entirely my idea."

I just snorted dismissively and didn't even bother replying.

"You just lost your second chance, Abigail," I muttered to myself.

Then, I took out my phone and tapped lightly.

"Transferring liquid assets and liquidating private wealth funds."

At this very moment, Abigail—who was at the hospital holding the innocent and fragile Dominic—had no idea that she'd just paid another 80 million dollars in appearance fee just to cheer him up.