Gavin and Allison had already prepared a table full of food. Seeing me return, Allison happily took my hand.

"Julian, you're back from getting your marriage certificate so soon! Why didn't Sophia come back with you?"

"She had something urgent at the company to take care of."

Allison chided, "That daughter of mine! Today's such an important day. She should know when to set work aside."

Gavin smiled. "It's good that she's dedicated to her career. Besides, they're married now—we can have a family dinner anytime."

Allison continued to express her dissatisfaction with gentle grumbles. I felt a lump in my throat as I witnessed this warm scene before me.

"Gavin, Allison, Sophia and I didn't get our marriage certificate. I've arranged my study abroad documents, and I'm planning to leave the country in a few days."

Allison was immediately shocked.

"What do you mean, you didn't get married? Did Sophia mistreat you? That girl is just tough on the outside. She actually cares deeply about everything concerning you and truly loves you in her heart.

"Besides, you taught yourself psychology and stayed by her side day and night to provide emotional support. We all saw your genuine feelings for her. You love each other, so of course you should be together!

"And you know that Ethan isn't a good person. We can't let him succeed."

Gavin quickly added, "Sophia's just being stubborn. Once you insist on marrying her, she'll surely soften."

These words were all too familiar; they had said the same things before. Unfortunately, forcing that outcome had made everyone regretful in the end.

I took Allison's hands and said softly, "Please don't get upset. Let me explain. Although I hate to admit it, you just can't force love.

"Sophia has never really had feelings for me.

"Last night, I had a dream where Sophia and I were married, but she refused to see me. She worked herself sick at the company every day, even developing stomach problems.

"She wouldn't eat the food I made for her and wouldn't let me take care of her when she was ill. She told me that the pain I brought her outweighed any happiness, and she died at the age of 30 under a truck trying to save me."

As I said this, my heart ached so much I could barely breathe.

Allison was stunned. "B-b-but that was just a dream, Julian. Sophia wouldn't do that."

I sniffled and forced a smile.

"Gavin, Allison, dreams are premonitions. I want her to be free from marrying me. We don't need to be husband and wife, but I want her to live a long, healthy life.

"Everything points to this conclusion. Sophia loves music, not business, and she hates following a path chosen for her. If her hand hadn't been injured back then, she wouldn't have taken this route.

"It's the same now. If it weren't for your arrangement, she wouldn't be forced to marry me.

"The root of all this is me. It's all my fault, and I don't want to keep making the same mistake.

"My study abroad program is already arranged. I'll always remember your kindness, and I'll take care of you both in the future!"

Allison secretly wiped away a tear. "You're a good man, Julian. Sophia doesn't know how fortunate she would have been to marry you."

I hugged them with misty eyes and smiled.

"It's alright. If I can't be your son-in-law, I can still be like a son to you. In the future, I'll still look after you both."

Gavin and Allison finally smiled through their tears and ultimately agreed with my decision.

I remembered the second wish in Sophia's diary. That should count as fulfilling it, right?

The time machine would only allow me to stay here for thirty-six hours. Now, there was one last wish to fulfill.

I wondered if it would go just as smoothly.

As night approached, I went to the observatory alone.

This was the best spot to view the meteor shower. I leaned on the railing, feeling a faint sense of anticipation.

After waiting for who knows how long, the door behind me suddenly opened. I turned around with hopeful eyes.

"Sophia, you came."

I saw Sophia approaching with a dark expression, striding toward me in a few quick steps. There was anger simmering in her eyes.

"Julian, just because I didn't go home with you and went to see Ethan instead, you ran to complain to my parents? Do you know they called and berated Ethan?

"He was distracted by the whole situation and got hit by a car while crossing the street. He's bleeding heavily now and might die. Are you satisfied now?"

I stood frozen in place.

In my previous life, Ethan had also gotten into a car accident and emerged severe bleeding. He died because of a blood shortage at the hospital before they could save him.

Perhaps Sophia was merely blasting me with sharp words and mockery before that, but she truly came to hate me after that incident.

Even so, this was supposed to happen a month after our wedding. Why was it happening so much earlier now?

I had been wondering how to fulfill Sophia's third wish. Now, the opportunity had presented itself.

I looked at her. "So, you've come to ask me to donate blood for him?"

Hearing this, Sophia let out a surprised and angry scoff. "Shouldn't you? This is a debt you owe him."

She grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the hospital.

At the hospital, I immediately donated one pint of blood. It felt like some of my strength had been drained away, leaving me weak.

The nurses frowned with concern. "The blood donation isn't nearly enough. It will take at least ten more minutes to arrange for an additional blood supply. We don't know if the patient can hold on until then."

I looked up at Sophia. Her gaze was fixed on the person in the hospital bed. Seeing Ethan's deathly pale face, her eyes revealed undisguised concern.

As the nurse began to remove the band from my arm, I gently stopped her hand. "Ma'am, please take another pint from me."

The nurse was startled and hurriedly tried to dissuade me. "That's not possible! The maximum donation at one time is one pint!"

Nonetheless, I smiled at her. "It's fine. I'll recover. Saving a life is more important."

A doctor rushed out of the emergency room, shouting, "The blood supply isn't enough! Hurry and get more blood—the patient won't last much longer!"

I urged the nurse again, and she said gratefully, "Sir, you're so kind. The patient will surely be grateful when he wakes up."

"Julian, you..." Sophia began, then paused. "I'll make it up to you."

As the needle entered my vein again, I gave her a slight smile.

"It's okay. This is my choice."

She had risked her life to save me. The least I could do was protect the man she loved. What was the big deal?

However, I had underestimated the consequences of donating too much blood. I collapsed right there.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself lying in a hospital bed. The needle wound had been bandaged.

Sophia was nowhere to be seen. Everyone was bustling about, and no one noticed that I had just awakened.

I looked up and caught sight of the wall clock. Only one hour remained before I would have to return to the future.

On the small hospital TV, they were replaying footage of last night's once-in-a-century meteor shower.

The shooting stars were beautiful, but unfortunately, I had missed them again.

Indeed, it seemed my wishes were destined to remain unfulfilled.

I was lost in thought until footsteps approached, followed by Sophia's tired yet joyful voice.

"You're awake. Ethan has regained consciousness too, thanks to your timely blood donation last night."

I turned to look at her. "Good."

When she saw my pale face, she suddenly paused, then awkwardly continued.

"Thank you for your help. I was harsh last night, but you really shouldn't have complained to my parents. Our situation has nothing to do with him."

Hearing her words, I felt a twinge of bitterness.

She always misunderstood me like this. If this had been thirteen years ago, I would have rushed to defend myself.

Now, with our parting imminent and our paths never to cross again, whether Sophia misunderstood me or not no longer mattered.

At that moment, she spoke up, "I promised to watch the meteor shower with you last night, but I didn't keep my word. I remember you mentioned wanting to visit Lake Copo. Why don't we go for a trip in a few days?"

I was surprised that she still remembered. I hesitated briefly before shaking my head in refusal.

"That won't be necessary."

Surprisingly, Sophia did not respond with her usual sarcasm. Instead, she took out her phone and immediately booked tickets for five days from now.

"I understand if you're upset with me. I've booked the tickets. Once you've recovered in a few days, we'll go on our honeymoon."

"That's not necessary, Sophia."

Sophia looked at me, and I said softly, "Just don't feel obligated to me, and don't think you owe me anything. I'm the one who owes you."

Those words were meant for Sophia, but also for myself.

She cut me off with displeasure, "What are you talking about?"

I did not answer, and silence fell between us. Sophia turned and picked up a cup to pour me some water.

I noticed her hand trembling uncontrollably—it must have been raining today, aggravating her old injury.

Memories and concerns rushed over me, and I asked her, "Do you regret saving me and ending up like this?"

Sophia placed the water in front of me with her head lowered, her hair hiding her eyes.

She said, "I have no regrets. I would have done the same even if it had been someone else."

"Even during the earthquake?"

I saw her fingers stiffen momentarily.

"Yes," she replied. "I would have saved anyone."

Just as I thought—she was truly kind-hearted and gentle. I smiled, but my eyes concealed an inconsolable sadness.

"Thank you, Sophia. You're truly a wonderful person. I repaid your kindness with torment, refusing to let go. You must have been very troubled."

Someone as kind as her had suffered ten years of my torment, only to die saving me in the end.

I was truly the thorn in her side.

Seeing my sadness, Sophia's eyes revealed a rare flash of panic. "What are you talking about? I—"

Just then, her assistant, Caleb Johnson, rushed in anxiously.

"Ms. Hayes, Mr. Brooks is awake!"

"I'll go check on him." Sophia's face lit up with joy as she quickly turned to leave, but I softly called her name.

She looked back, and I gave her a warm, sunny smile.

"I'm sorry, Sophia.

"I wish you peace, happiness, and all your heart's desires from now on."

She keenly sensed something was wrong.

"Why do you sound like you're saying goodbye? I'm just going to check on Ethan. I have something I want to tell you. Wait for me to come back."

With that, she turned and left. There was now less than half an hour remaining before I would have to return.

I pulled the IV needle from my arm and walked out of the hospital.

Later, Sophia returned from visiting Ethan, carrying several containers of nutritious soup as she entered my hospital room.

The room was empty. Sophia tentatively called my name several times, yet there was no response.

A strange uneasiness grew inside her. She instinctively took out her phone, about to dial my number, when Caleb rushed in from outside.

"Ms. Hayes, something terrible has happened!"

Caleb was breathing heavily as he shouted, "Ten minutes ago, Mr. Reed got into a car accident and lost a lot of blood.

"The hospital's blood bank was critically low, and Mr. Reed—he couldn't be saved. He's gone."