Chapter 7
“No.” My voice was hoarse. “I only want to be with you.”
Rowan nodded. “Okay.”
We climbed back into the car and watched as the police started to clear out in waves. Soon, someone would escort us to the hospital, as Miles had no family.
I leaned against Rowan’s shoulder, exhausted. “Before we came here, there was one last thing I hadn’t told you. I suspect Miles was involved, too.”
Rowan took a deep breath. “Sonia, what if he wasn’t?”
“If he’s innocent, would you choose him or me?”
It wasn’t until he asked such a question that I felt relieved. For years, Rowan had assumed he was the one unchosen. But ten years later, Sonia would always choose Rowan steadfastly.
I looked up, meeting Rowan’s gaze earnestly. “You remember when Miles first started his career, right?”
“Yeah.”
“We didn’t know each other then. By that time, I had broken up with Miles.”
My feelings for Miles were complex. We navigated the chaos of youth together and faced the harsh realities of adulthood side by side. In all that, love played a relatively small part.
I counted on my fingers for Rowan. “He started his career of acting and gained fame. Miles and I had been apart for over a year when you and I married.”
“I admit, at first, I hated you. Like I hated Uncle Samuel for barging into my life without permission.
“At that time, Miles got into a car accident on his way to a dinner with investors. The driver was one of your people. I thought you were like Uncle Samuel, completely ruthless.”
“It’s not that I hate you because I like Miles. I didn’t have feelings for Miles. I couldn’t stand someone destroying another’s future over a disagreement.”
Rowan gently squeezed my hand. “I’m sorry. That was my mistake. I didn’t think it through.”
“No,” I said, hugging his arm. “It was Uncle Samuel’s problem, not yours. If anyone dares to blame you, I’ll argue
with them.”
He was silent for a moment before saying, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
For someone stood up for me for the first time.”
Hearing that, I felt a pang of guilt. Very few people in the industry spoke of Rowan’s family. He truly had no one
to protect hum
Rowan looked at me sternly. “Can you tell me… how you started falling for me?”
The night was dark, but i could see the hope in his eyes.
“You were drunk that time came home, and accidentally kicked over the scarf i was knitting for a puppy. In the middle of the night, you sat cross–legged on the floor trying to figure out how to knit a scarf for it.”
told you to go to bed, and you said the puppy would be cold without its scarf in the winter.”
“So, I thought someone who cares if a puppy is cold might not be so heartless as to harm others.”
There was something else had told him. That night, Rowan talked in his sleep, saying, “Sonia, I’m cold, too.”
I heard it when i got up for water and my heart softened. Rowan seemed so lonely, with no one to love him.
19:30.
Chapter 7
Rowan listened intently. “We’re going to have a puppy?”
“Yeah, seven years from now, you give me one for my birthday. You said you were always too busy and not home often, so it could keep me company.” I chuckled, counting on my fingers. “By now, it must be an old dog somewhere, not yet reincarnated. Our little dog was clever and learned things instantly. I suspect it didn’t drink from the Lethe-”
5 2 7 2 2 2 2
I stopped mid–sentence, suddenly realizing something.
Rowan looked puzzled. “What is it?”
I grabbed his hand, dazed. “Miles… he’s like me.”
“How?”
“On the rooftop,” I turned, frowning deeper. “When Miles jumped, he said it had been years since I sang him the birthday song… But last year, I celebrated his birthday.”
Rowan squinted, understanding immediately. “You mean, in your past life, for several years-”
“Yes.” Blood rushed to my head, making my skin crawl. “According to what he said, he waited many years for a birthday song from me, which means there’s only one explanation.”
Rowan and I exchanged a look, seeing the confusion in each other’s eyes.
“Let’s go to the hospital.”
Half an hour later, the doctor told us someone had picked up Miles. When we pressed for details, they refused to disclose any patient information. Given the circumstances, it was hard to believe Miles had nothing to do with the incident.
On the drive back, a question kept swirling in my mind. “Do you think Miles jumped on purpose?”
Rowan tapped his fingers on the leather steering wheel thoughtfully. “Usually, when the building isn’t too high, police set up an air cushion. I’d be confident I wouldn’t get seriously hurt jumping.”
I studied his profile. “Oh… then what do you think his motive was?”
He let out a small, dry laugh. “Trying to gain your sympathy, to sway you to his side.”
It was the first time Rowan had made such a “jealous” comment in two lifetimes.
1 pressed my lips together, nodding. “Hmm, you know a lot…”
He replied dryly, “Men understand men best.”
I didn’t call him out on it, instead gazing out the window at the passing scenery, lost in thought. Telling Rowan whom to watch out for a decade early should prevent things from getting worse. Remembering how he rushed into the fire to save me in our past life, my heart ached again. How could I not be moved? When someone was kind to you, it wouldn’t go unnoticed.
After hours on the road, it was late when we got home. Lara had left. The living room was dark, and as Rowan reached for the light, I lunged, pushing him onto the couch.
His long legs landed on either side of me, supporting my weight.
Rowan, with his clothes disheveled, asked in a husky voice, “What are you doing?”
“Rowan” I leaned closer to his ear, whispering. “I love you.”
His breath hitched, becoming a ragged mess. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he steadied my waist, ensuring wouldn’t fall off him
2/2
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
