Yvette shook her head gently. She felt exhausted and helpless.

“I know you had your own struggles. I never blamed you. And now that things have gone this far, regretting it won’t change anything. I’m only twenty-two. I’m still young. I can start over.”

Seeing her force out a smile, Yarden reached out and patted her head.

“That’s right. You have a new life ahead. You’ll meet someone better.”

Over the next few days, Yvette rested in the hospital to recover.

Sometimes she overheard the nurses talking as they checked on patients.

“I heard the VIP rooms upstairs were booked by the CEO of Lawson Corp. He’s so generous! His fiancee must be staying there! He never leaves her side. He feeds her, gives her gifts, and spoils her constantly.”

“Apparently, they already have a child. They’re going to get married in a few days. The wedding dress and ring alone cost hundreds of millions. They’re planning a global live-streamed wedding. Mr. Lawson really loves her to the bone.”

Hearing the nurses talk with envy, Yvette remembered the plan she had overheard at the club. She closed her eyes.

Henry had made the wedding so grand. He must be completely sure that Sophia would accept his confession. After waiting for so many years and putting so much effort into this plan, he finally got what he wanted.

The one person he found most annoying would disappear after this wedding and never show up again. It was truly a win-win situation and worth a big celebration.

Yvette was lost in thought when her phone rang. She looked at the screen and froze for a moment before answering.

“Yvette, I heard you were in the hospital. Are you feeling any better?”

It was one of Yarden’s friends. He beat around the subject a few times before speaking plainly. Yvette could sense that something was wrong.

“I heard Yarden and Henry got into a fight. Their relationship is tense now. Do you know why? We tried to make them get along again, but it didn’t work.”

Yvette was silent for a long moment and then explained the situation briefly.

The friend let out a sigh. “After being friends for so many years, they fight over such a small misunderstanding! People would laugh if they heard about it. Yvette, can you do us a favor? Tonight, we are putting together a get-together. Can you convince him to attend? We can clear up all the misunderstandings in one go.”

Yvette knew that besides his family, Yarden valued his friends above all else. She did not want him to grow distant from them because of her, so she agreed to help.

After finishing her discharge paperwork, Yvette took Yarden along under the pretense of a dinner with friends.

When he saw Henry and Sophia sitting in the center of the private room, his face darkened. He turned to leave.

Yvette pulled him back and persuaded him with a few words. Only then did he sit down, though reluctantly.

Their friends watched them closely and kept joking to lighten the mood.

Sophia walked over to Yarden and said sincerely, “Yarden, what happened at the hospital was just an accident. Henry was worried and acted without thinking. Yvette and I feel bad that you two are still upset over this.”

Yarden’s expression softened slightly, though his tone remained cold.

“As long as he apologizes to Yvette, I’ll let it go.”

Henry gave him a cold look and showed no sign of softening.

“As long as she apologizes to Sophia, I’ll apologize.”

The two were about to argue again, but a few friends stepped in.

“You have known each other for years. There’s no need to fight over this. I’ll settle it. Let’s all have a drink and put this behind us. Agreed?”

Sophia raised her glass first. Henry frowned, quickly stood up, took her cup, and drank it in one gulp.

He then placed the empty glass in front of Yarden.

Yarden drank his wine as well. The tension in the room finally eased.

“Henry, if you always do what Sophia says, does that mean whenever someone invites you for a drink, you have to ask her first?”

The teasing made Sophia blush. She pushed Henry gently.

He smiled faintly and said, “Sophia can’t drink right now. As her fiance, shouldn’t I take her place? After we get married, it’s only natural to inform her of where I go and what I do. It’s not a big deal.”

Everyone in the room covered their mouths and laughed quietly.

“Sophia really knows how to handle him. She turned the stubborn, untouchable prince of Jamestown into a devoted husband. How sweet!”

Yvette sat quietly and listened to their teasing. She realized she no longer felt hurt by it.

She smiled faintly at Yarden’s concerned gaze and nodded that she was fine.

Soon, everyone wanted to play a game. Sophia lost more than ten rounds in a row because she did not know how to play.

Henry drank all the punishment shots in front of her without any sign of annoyance.

Watching him, Yvette got up quietly and went to the restroom.

After washing her hands, she was about to return when a familiar voice came from the hallway.

“Babe, do you know? The first time I saw you, I fell for you instantly. But you were always so cold to me. I thought you only saw me as a friend, so I never dared to confess. I could only stay by your side. Year after year, I realized that loving someone can make you anxious and unsure of yourself…”

Henry leaned against Sophia. He was drunk.

She held him gently and looked at him shyly. She said in a teasing tone, “Is that why you Yvette as a cover to make me your girlfriend? You really like me that much?”

“Yes… I like you… I like you a lot.

“My phone is full of your photos. I have all your likes and dislikes written in my notes. I’ve pinned your chat to the top for over ten years. Every time you message me, I get so happy that I can’t sleep all night. I have also written many love letters for you. I’ll show them to you someday, okay?”

Yvette had known Henry for eight years. This was the first time she saw him look so openly in love.

She listened quietly as he confessed. For a moment, she remembered the time she had confessed to him.

He had stared at her steadily. His eyes were clear and calm. There was no sign of any emotion.

Back then, she had believed that if she kept trying, she might one day win his heart.

Watching this, she realized that it did not matter whether she waited for eight, eighteen, or twenty-eight years; it would never happen.

Some things were impossible. How could she ever win the heart of a man who loved another woman so deeply?

Yvette did not stay. She returned to the private room alone.

Yarden knew she was not comfortable in this kind of setting. He greeted everyone briefly and then led her away.

The siblings went downstairs and were about to get a cab home when they saw a commotion ahead.

Sophia and Henry were surrounded by a few drunk men. The two groups began arguing.

Henry grew angry. He grabbed a bottle from a table and smashed it on one of the drunk men’s heads.

The gang immediately became furious. They rushed at him and attacked.

In an instant, the entire hall turned into chaos. People shouted and screamed. Bottles, tables, and chairs flew everywhere.

Yarden’s face darkened as he watched. He took off his coat. Before he jumped straight into the fight, he said, “Yvette, go upstairs and get help.”

Yvette’s heart raced. She hurried upstairs to call for help.

When she returned with a group of people, she saw a drunk man with a bleeding head grab several bottles and swing them at Sophia, who was hiding in a corner and crying.

Her heart leapt into her throat. Her eyes widened as she saw Henry rush forward without hesitation.

He threw himself over Sophia. He used his body to shield her from every attack.

Blood spurted like a fountain and soaked his white shirt.

Yvette froze and stared in shock. Her breath hitched.

She watched him. His body was covered in bruises and blood, yet he still stayed in front of Sophia. He did not take a single step back. Her heart ached.

Only at that moment did she truly believe in Henry’s love for Sophia. He would risk his life for her.

She stood there in a daze for a long time. When she finally came back to her senses, she realized she was in a hospital.

The lights in the operating room went out. The doctor walked out and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He sounded relieved.

“The surgery was successful. By the way, is Sophia the patient’s wife? He kept calling her name while he was unconscious. We recommend that she stay in the ICU with him. Talking to him might help him.”

Hearing this, the group of friends urged Sophia to go to the hospital room to stay with him.

After watching her leave, Yvette tugged on Yarden’s sleeve.

“Yarden, let’s go home.”

Yarden paused for a moment, then nodded and followed her.

Back at home, Yvette took out her suitcase and began packing.

Watching her get busy, Yarden felt uneasy. He stayed nearby and helped while keeping an eye on her.

Yvette knew what he was worried about, but she felt calm.

“Yarden, stop staring at me. I’m fine. I’ll be leaving in a couple of days. We won’t see each other for a long time. I’ll miss you. You must come visit me often.”

A sharp ache hit Yarden’s heart. He rubbed her face as he always did.

“Of course. I’ll come see you whenever I can. I also want to see how you get along with my friend.”