Ethan slowly opened his eyes after the painful flashback.
For a moment, he lay quietly on his bed, staring at the ceiling. The memories still lingered in his mind, but now there was also a strange sense of relief in his heart.
At least she was here again.
Just then, he heard his mother's voice from downstairs.
"Honey! Come down! Look who is here to visit!"
Ethan stood up and walked downstairs.
When he entered the living room, his face immediately brightened.
"Jessica?" he said in surprise.
Sitting on the sofa were his childhood friend Jessica and her mother, Mrs. Mike. They were neighbors from Ethan's hometown village.
"Oh Jessica! Hey, Mrs. Mike!" Ethan greeted them warmly.
Mrs. Mike smiled kindly. "Hello, dear."
Jessica waved. "Hey, Ethan!"
Ethan looked around the room.
"Where is Mr. Mike?"
Jessica's mother sighed softly.
"Actually… he has been very sick. He's in the hospital right now."
Ethan's expression turned worried.
"What? Is he okay?"
Jessica nodded gently. "Yes, he's better than before."
Ethan let out a small breath of relief.
"That's good… But why didn't you tell me earlier? I would have visited him."
Mrs. Mike smiled softly.
"We didn't want to bother you. But I told your mother about it, and she asked us to visit."
Ethan nodded.
"Is Mr. Mike alone in the hospital?"
"No," Jessica replied. "His elder brother is with him."
Ethan looked at them sincerely.
"Please feel free to come here anytime."
Just then, Ethan's mother called from the kitchen.
"Ethan dear, can you help me for a moment?"
In the Kitchen
Ethan walked into the kitchen.
His mother leaned closer and whispered quietly.
"Why are you giving them so much attention?"
Ethan frowned slightly.
"Mom… are you serious?"
"They have done so much for us. That's the reason we were able to move here and live this life."
His mother said nothing.
She simply ignored his words and walked into the living room carrying a tray.
With a forced smile, she placed the tea on the table.
"Please have some," she said politely.
Ethan stood in the doorway watching her.
He knew his mother very well.
She always treated wealthy people kindly, but her attitude toward poorer people was completely different.
It made him uncomfortable.
Ethan returned to the living room and sat down.
"I will definitely visit Mr. Mike in the hospital," he said sincerely.
Jessica and her mother thanked him.
After some time, they said goodbye and left.
Later That Evening
Ethan returned to his room.
Across the street, Katrina was also sitting in her room.
Her thoughts kept going back to something Arice had said earlier that day.
"I think that guy likes you."
Katrina sighed.
"Arice always says whatever she wants," she murmured to herself.
"She's always the curious and funny one."
Katrina stood up and walked toward the balcony to get some fresh air.
As she stepped outside, her eyes wandered across the street.
Through Ethan's window, she could see him sitting at his desk, completely focused on studying.
For some reason, seeing him like that made her feel something strange.
A small, unfamiliar feeling.
But because Ethan might notice her watching, she quickly went back inside her room.
The Next Morning
The weather was cloudy.
Dark clouds filled the sky.
At the university, Katrina walked toward her classroom with Arice and Ella.
But today, something was different.
Her eyes kept searching around the hallway… as if she was looking for someone.
She suddenly realized it.
What am I doing? she thought.
Just then—
Ethan entered the classroom.
Katrina immediately looked away and pretended she hadn't been searching for him.
The lecture began.
Students quietly listened to the professor.
Outside the window, the sky darkened.
Then suddenly—
Rain started pouring down.
Katrina turned her head and looked out the window. Heavy raindrops hit the glass.
Soon, the class ended.
Students rushed into the hallway, opening their umbrellas as the rain fell harder and harder.
Katrina stood near the entrance and called her driver.
"Hello, Mr. Harry. Where are you?"
On the other side, the driver sounded worried.
"Actually, Miss Katrina, I'm stuck in traffic because of the rain."
Katrina sighed.
"I see… okay."
She ended the call.
The rain kept getting heavier.
Students slowly left the campus, but Katrina was still standing there.
Maybe I should walk to the bus stop nearby, she thought.
I don't think the rain will stop anytime soon.
But she didn't have an umbrella.
She hesitated.
Then finally, she took a deep breath and stepped into the rain.
Cold drops soaked her hair and clothes instantly.
She held her bag over her head to block the rain, but it barely helped.
She walked quickly down the path, trying to reach the bus stop.
Then suddenly—
The rain stopped falling on her.
Confused, she slowed down.
There was now a shelter above her.
Katrina turned her head.
Someone was holding an umbrella over her.
Her eyes widened in shock.
It was Ethan.
He stood beside her, slightly nervous but calm.
Ethan gently extended the umbrella toward her.
"Please… take this umbrella."