When Hayden stepped outside, I had already composed myself. He walked toward me through the snow, each step measured, his eyes filled with concern. As he came closer, he pulled me into a firm embrace, his warm breath tickling my ear.

"Nora, it's been three years. You've lost weight."

A scent of apples filled the air—his fragrance had changed. He used to smell faintly of coffee. His touch now made me uneasy, and I pushed him away.

His eyes narrowed for a moment before he smiled. "Our Nora has grown up, understanding the boundaries between men and women."

"But remember, I'm still your fiancé. Don't pull away from me, okay?"

He was once a guiding light in my life. When I first arrived at the Tran household, I was painfully introverted and bullied at school. There was a day after classes when some kids trapped me in an alley and attacked me. Hayden suddenly appeared, driving a sleek Bentley, scattering those bullies. He got out and shielded me.

I'll never forget his cold words to them: "Nora Stewart is like a sister to me, Hayden Tran. If anyone dares to mess with her again, they’ll answer to me."

But now, he seemed so different. It was the same face, yet I no longer felt the same heart-fluttering excitement as before.

Hayden reached out to caress my cheek, and I noticed a ring on his fourth finger. It used to be bare.

"I'm tired. Can I go home and rest now?" I said, turning my gaze away and studying his face.

Hayden's eyes quickly showed a hint of worry.

"Sure... sure."

"But we have guests over today. A friend of mine just became a dad and needed a place for the baby’s christening party, so they decided to use our house."

"You don't mind, right?"

Back then, I used to see him as a sort of guardian angel. Whenever I was bullied, he would appear just in time. If I felt sick, he would deal with it calmly.

One winter, we went out to buy sparklers and stumbled upon a couple in a heated argument. The guy had tricked the girl to meet up with someone else. He once told me, "Nora, when you're looking for a partner, keep your eyes open. Find someone who’s as dependable as your Hayden."

"I would never deceive anyone."

But now, he's full of stories. Maybe I've matured; I no longer felt the urge to expose him. I wanted to see how long he could maintain the act.

"I don't mind."

Hearing this, Hayden smiled and tried to pull me closer, but I sidestepped. A flash of surprise crossed his face, then he smiled, as if to reassure himself.

"We’ve grown apart."

"That’s alright; I'll always be here, helping you get back to how things were."

But deep inside, I knew there was no returning to the past. Three years ago, he tricked me into going abroad to work with a humanitarian organization. I witnessed too many life-and-death situations, like watching a child smile one moment and become lifeless the next.

That experience taught me the importance of cherishing every moment. We never know if tomorrow or an unexpected event will come first. So now, I refuse to waste time on those who don’t deserve it.

Instead of taking me to the master bedroom where I used to stay, Hayden led me to a guest room.

He explained, "My friend likes to keep up appearances and told people this was his house, so he's using the master bedroom for now."

"When things settle down in a few days, I’ll have the housekeeper prepare the room for you. Is that alright?"

"Okay."

I put down my bag. He studied me for a few seconds and then said, "Knowing you, you probably don't like crowded places. You should rest here. I'll get back to work."

After Hayden left, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small stone engraved with "Peace and Joy." A young boy had given it to me during my time in Africa.

Back then, he had lost his parents and was all alone. With small, dark hands, he offered me the stone and said, "Sister, this is for you. Give it to someone you love to keep them safe."

I took it, planning to get some candy for him. But just as I turned, he was shot, collapsing right in front of me. Devastated, I tried to save him, but my colleagues pulled me away.

Regaining composure, I opened the guest room door and scanned the house. Previously, I was too distracted to notice much.

Now, I spotted signs of another woman living here. The bathroom had feminine towels and skincare products. On the coffee table, fresh flowers, a coffee mug, and children's toys were scattered.

Absorbing these details, I walked to the master bedroom. I used to live here, and Hayden had designed it just for me. As I touched the doorknob, a voice interrupted me.

"Are you Nora Stewart?"