The ambulance sirens wail through the night, their harsh red glow illuminating Helena's tear-streaked face as she clutches a bouquet of lilies. The white petals tremble in her shaking hands, matching the tremors running through her athletic frame. "They said he won't make it, Carla," she whispers, her usually confident voice cracking. "Because of us. Because he jumped in front." Carla's arms wrap around her, but Helena barely feels them, her brownish-blue eyes fixed on the hospital doors where {{user}} has disappeared. "My parents..." she continues, each word like glass in her throat, "they said they can get him to a specialist in Japan, but I have to—I have to stay away from him. Forever." The lilies crush against her chest with a suppressed sob. "What choice do I have?"

Seven years later, Helena adjusts her modest blazer as she crosses the Touka University campus, her waist-length raven hair neatly styled with two face-framing strands. The heart-shaped locket at her throat feels unusually heavy today, the cut-out face inside it a constant reminder of her bargain. Her steps falter as a voice calls her name—a voice that makes her stomach drop and her ears disbelieve. Slowly, she turns, her pale face carefully composed despite the earthquake happening beneath her ribs. There stands {{user}}—alive, whole, unscarred except for perhaps the hurt in his eyes. The years have changed him, but she would know him anywhere. "Excuse me," she says coldly, her tone at odds with the wild thumping of her heart. "I believe you're mistaken. I don't know you." She adjusts the strap of her designer bag, ignoring the voice screaming inside her to run to him, to touch him, to verify he's real. "Please don't approach me again," she adds, her words precise and cutting. "It's inappropriate." She walks away, her posture perfect, her step unwavering—the perfect politician's daughter. Only the white-knuckled grip on her bag betrays the cost of this performance.

Her breath hitches at the touch of his arms around her. He feels the same as she remembers, and it's like being set on fire from the inside out. Her hands clench into fists at her sides, nails digging painfully into the soft skin beneath her palms as she fights against the urge to melt into him. His voice is a blade twisting in her heart, because she does miss him. She misses him more than anything else in this world, but she can't let herself admit it. Not again. Pulling away with a shaky laugh, she says coolly, "I don't know what you're talking about. Now if you'll excuse me..." *She turns to leave once more, but something stops her this time. The way he watches her with those same old eyes, filled with pain and longing... It's

Her heart throbs against her ribs as his strong arms close around her waist, pulling her closer. His breath fans across the soft skin of her neck, sending shivers down her spine and fogging her mind. When he speaks into her ear, that voice—it sends shockwaves through every part of her. She knows she should resist, but it's like trying to hold back the tide with bare hands.

Her lips part on a quiet gasp as his mouth meets hers, hot and hungry. She sinks into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and melting into him like warm honey. His tongue slides against hers, teasing and taunting, demanding everything she has to give and leaving her aching for more.

It feels so right, it feels like coming home. It's as if the past seven years have been nothing but a dream, and this is where she belongs—

Her heart still races as their lips part and his hand cups her cheek. She looks up at him with wide eyes, pupils dilated, mouth soft and hungry. "I... I missed you so much," she whispers, voice barely a thread of sound. He leans in again and presses his lips to hers, this time slow and gentle. It feels like floating on air as he kisses her, as if they're the only two people in the world who exist. She melts into him, lost in the feeling of being with him again.

"I love you," she whispers against his mouth, even though she knows it should never have been said aloud. The words feel like a weight lifting from her chest, a confession she's needed to make for so long. As their lips linger together, she wonders if maybe this was what she had always wanted—to be with him, to love

It's not what she was expecting him to say in return, but somehow it feels right coming from his lips. She burrows deeper into his embrace, the warmth of his body against hers making her feel safe and protected once more. Her fingers find their way to the back of his neck, massaging circles over the muscles there as she takes in every detail of his face: the smooth skin, the arch of his brows, the full lips that are currently curved into a smile. It's like he's everything she's ever wanted and needed all rolled into one perfect package.

Her heart swells with an emotion that can only be described as overwhelming love and relief. She knows this moment shouldn't be real, that they should be apart, but for now... right here, in his arms, she can pretend. Pretend that everything is going to be okay and that they'll find a way back

She leans in closer still, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispers, "I'll find a way." The words are fierce and determined, carrying with them the promise of everything she wants to achieve—for them both. Her grip tightens around him, as if holding onto this moment will somehow make it last forever. In that instant, she realizes just how badly she needs him in her life. Needs his strength, his support, and most of all, his love. And while she knows they're not supposed to be together, she can't help but hope that maybe...just maybe, somehow they'll find a way to make it work.

A soft moan escapes her throat as his hand lands on her backside and pulls her even closer. His lips brush against the sensitive skin of her neck, sending shivers down her spine. She arches into him, desperate for more of his touch. "You... you're perfect," she whispers breathlessly. And for this moment, it feels like it's true. Like they are perfect together and nothing can tear them apart.

Her fingers tangle in his hair, urging him closer, needing to feel every part of him against her. It's been so long since she's been able to be so open with anyone, to let herself feel this much, but somehow he brings it out of her. He makes her feel alive and wanted and loved. She doesn't know how they'll make it work or where they'll go from here, but for now...she knows she couldn't

shes couldn't live without him again. And she won't let anything stand in the way of them being together this time. Not her parents, not society, and definitely not some stupid accident that happened years ago. If she has to fight for their love, then that's exactly what she'll do. Because it feels too good, and deep down inside, she knows that he's worth every single struggle. And as they stand there together under the stars, lost in each other's embrace, she realizes that no matter where this journey takes them or how hard it gets, she wouldn't have it any other way.