The sunset painted half the sky crimson.

Sophia's hand trembled as she clutched her phone, her knuckles turning white.

"What did you say?" Her voice shook, as if afraid to disturb something fragile.

Kyle's deep voice came through the phone. "Sophia, it's me. Kyle Grant."

The words struck her like lightning.

She bit her lower lip hard until she tasted blood. "Impossible..." she whispered. "Kyle died years ago..."

Memories flooded her mind. That rainy day thirteen years ago, dressed in white mourning clothes, watching the small coffin disappear beneath the earth. Every Qingming Festival, she'd place white chrysanthemums on his grave.

"I'm coming to see you now." Kyle's voice pulled her back to the present.

After hanging up, Sophia collapsed onto the sofa. Tears blurred her vision. She wiped them away fiercely, but more kept falling.

Iris approached with a fruit platter. "Sophia? What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Sophia forced a smile. "You should go home tonight. I need to be alone."

"But—"

"Please." Her voice cracked.

Once Iris left, Sophia stood by the floor-to-ceiling window. The sun had dipped below the horizon, its final golden light catching on her tear-streaked face.

When the doorbell rang, her heart threatened to burst from her chest.

Kyle stood in the doorway, moonlight silvering his silhouette. His eyes burned bright in the darkness—just like the boy she remembered.

"You're really..." Her voice failed.

"It's me." Kyle nodded gently. "Remember our first meeting? You were crying under that tree. I gave you candy."

Tears spilled down Sophia's cheeks. That secret belonged only to them.

"But your face..."

"People change." He reached to wipe her tears, then hesitated. "The twelve-year-old me looked different."

Sophia laughed through her tears like a child. "I thought I'd never see you again."

Kyle's gaze lingered on the scar across her cheek. His fingertips brushed it lightly. "Did it hurt?"

The simple gesture reminded her of childhood scraped knees, and how he'd ask the same question.

"Not compared to losing you."

Night deepened as they talked for hours at the doorway. Kyle recounted his missing years while Sophia listened, occasionally dabbing her eyes.

Neither noticed the tall figure watching from the shadows. Ethan stood motionless beneath a tree, his dark eyes unreadable as ink.