Elizabeth had no idea how long she had been sitting there.

When she finally glanced at the clock on the living room wall, she was startled to see it was well past noon.

It was already the next day.

She turned her head slowly, her eyes landing on Ethan.

He was simply sitting beside her in silence.

Just being there.

The bruise on his face from the two punches Nathan had thrown had darkened significantly. The swelling made it look even more grotesque.

"Should you go to the hospital?" Elizabeth asked quietly.

Ethan seemed momentarily startled. It took him a second to realize she was referring to the injury on his face.

"It's fine. It'll heal on its own in a few days."

"Thank you," Elizabeth said then.

She was expressing gratitude again.

Ethan pressed his lips together, about to speak, when Elizabeth continued in a soft voice, "I don't know how I can ever repay you."

"Don't worry about it."

"But your friendship with Nathan... it's been damaged because of me."

"It'll be okay."

Everything that happened had been driven by raw emotion.

Ethan's bond with Nathan wasn't that fragile.

"I suppose you're right," Elizabeth murmured, almost to herself. "It's not like I have anything valuable to offer you anyway. No money, no influence. Nothing."

"Elizabeth..."

"Would you want my body?" Elizabeth suddenly asked.

Ethan's heart stuttered in his chest.

"Isn't that how it works in the entertainment industry? Trading physical favors for opportunities and fame. You're a famous director, after all. You must be accustomed to these kinds of transactions, right? I've heard about the many actresses you've made famous," Elizabeth said, her tone deliberately casual.

"I have never engaged in anything like that," Ethan stated firmly.

Elizabeth let out a hollow laugh.

When it came to sordid matters like these, who would ever admit their involvement?

Besides, Ethan had never shown any real interest in her.

She had initiated that kiss earlier, and she had felt absolutely no response from him. Not even a flicker.

His consistent indifference toward her was precisely why he was using this excuse to reject her now, wasn't it?

"I was just joking," Elizabeth said, meeting his gaze. "You despise me. If you were to sleep with me, it would just create another debt I owe you. I imagine you'd be more concerned that I might use it against you later..."

Elizabeth's words trailed off as she looked at Ethan again. She suddenly realized how close his face was to hers. Before she could process it, his lips were on hers.

Elizabeth froze instantly.

For a moment, she was certain she was hallucinating.

Ethan Parker was kissing her? Of his own volition?

How could that possibly—

"Mmph!"

Elizabeth's fists clenched tightly. It didn't seem like Ethan intended to stop at just a kiss. His actions suggested he wanted more...

Had she completely misread him?

Her mind was in a fog, but she could vaguely sense a certain urgency in his movements.

The truth was, Ethan had been pushed to his absolute limit.

Only he knew the immense self-control he had been exercising to keep himself from doing this to her.

Only he knew how desperately he wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her.

Only he knew the depth of his love for her...

Ethan didn't even have a chance to confess his feelings before he was utterly lost in the warmth of her body.

Elizabeth lay beneath him. Her hands lifted, intending to push him away, but then she let them fall back silently.

Was this part of their transaction?!

Or was it... regret?

Or perhaps... had he finally surrendered?

If she allowed this to happen, it would sever any remaining possibility with Nathan!

That night, snow began to fall. For the first time, Ethan found the snow beautiful instead of cold.

He knew, with absolute certainty, that he would never forget the woman in his arms on this snowy night.