Thomas the Tank Engine was surrounded by laughing children.

Sophia's slender figure blended seamlessly among them. Sunlight filtered through her thin white blouse, tracing the delicate lines of her shoulders. Her dark hair cascaded over her collarbones, swaying gently in the autumn breeze.

Ethan stood at the entrance, his gaze never leaving her.

The earlier tension had dissolved the moment she slipped her arm through his. This woman always knew how to unravel his emotions.

Time flew at the amusement park.

When closing time came, Sophia's eyes still sparkled with childlike reluctance. Ethan chuckled. Sometimes she carried herself like a world-weary sage, other times like an innocent girl.

That night, Phoenix Cove's bedroom brimmed with passion.

Days of separation melted into desperate intimacy.

One week later, at dawn, Sophia received a call from Kyle.

"I'm returning to California," his voice was restrained.

Her fingers trembled slightly. "Family business?"

"Grandmother is gravely ill. Late-stage stomach cancer."

The news struck like lightning. Sophia pictured Grandma Laurent's kind face—the woman who'd braided her hair and baked her treats.

"May I visit her?"

"Better not." Kyle's voice cracked. "She's... not fit for visitors."

After hanging up, Sophia immediately called Ethan.

"I'd like to see him off," she said softly.

A pause. "Go. Be careful."

At the airport terminal, Grace wept uncontrollably upon seeing Kyle. Her shaking hands caressed his face as if confirming he was real.

"Take this card." Grace shoved a bank card at him.

Kyle refused repeatedly until their struggle drew stares. Sophia intervened, ending the awkward scene.

Before boarding, Kyle's parting glance reddened Grace's eyes.

"What a fine young man..." she murmured. "If only he'd returned sooner—"

"Mom!" Sophia cut her off, noticing the bodyguards nearby.

Outside, a black luxury car waited. The window lowered, revealing Ethan's striking profile.

"Meeting ended early," he said casually.

As Sophia moved to enter, Ethan addressed Grace: "Mother-in-law, please take the car behind."

That "mother-in-law" carried frost. Sophia understood—their airport conversation had reached his ears.

Night fell when Iris's gasp shattered the restaurant's calm.

"Sophia! The flight—"

A news broadcast showed a plane crashing into the ocean. Sophia's chopsticks clattered to the table, rice sticking in her throat.

The phone rang sharply.

Ethan's voice came through: "I've dispatched rescue teams. Survival odds are better at sea. Don't panic."

Thirty minutes later, his car pulled up.

"If something happens..." Ethan crushed her trembling form against him, "he'll live forever in your heart. But I'd rather he survive."

Those words unleashed her tears. Never had she felt such warmth and strength in his embrace.

Through the night, the car raced toward the disaster site.