Thank goodness you were fast to react, Jayson. Nancy almost got burned.” Matt noticed the detail and exhaled in relief. 1

All eyes turned to Nancy. She’d indeed been quite close to the grill.

Seeing everyone’s concern, Nancy smiled and said, “It’s okay. I’m fine.”

The culprit of the accident, Renee, anxiously rushed over. She cradled Nancy’s hand and blew on it with distress. ” I didn’t mean it, Nancy. That was close!”

Nancy ruffled her hair. “It’s alright.”

A subtle clenching of Ariel’s fingers accompanied the chilling clarity that she had been reading too much into the situation–Jayson hadn’t rushed to save her from the flames. He’d been in such a panic because they had nearly reached Nancy.

That shook his usual composure and made him risk burning himself without hesitation. Only Nancy could make the detached Jayson lose his cool.

After making sure Ariel was unharmed, Perry relaxed back into his seat.

Freya asked in concern, “Ms. Walker, are you sure you’re okay? Let me see.”

Ariel gently nodded her head.

Chad’s expression subtly shifted. He glanced across the table at Jayson, who was still hovering protectively around Nancy. “Mr. Larkin, didn’t you see that Ariel was almost burned by the grill?”

Ariel was the closest to the grill, while Nancy had never been in danger.

It was only now that Jayson looked over and calmly said, “Oh, really? I didn’t notice.”

Ariel’s chest tightened, and her breath hitched slightly. It struck her now that he hadn’t spared her a glance all along. Nancy was the only one who ever mattered to him.

Chad choked on the response. That explained everything, and he finally understood just how those past three years must have been for Ariel–Jayson had completely disregarded her existence!

There were over 20 people gathered on the campsite, forming two different social circles.

Ariel suddenly felt exhausted. Wrapped in a cashmere shawl, she quietly made her way to her tent and sat down. The view from here was beautiful, and the air was unpolluted. Even the stars above seemed more brilliant than

ever.

She just wanted to enjoy this quiet moment of peace. As for what Jayson and the others were talking about, she didn’t care anymore.

Freya came over several times to bring her a hand warmer and a thermal flask filled with warm water. As the thoughtful young lady she was, she said, “If you need anything, just call for me. I’m in the tent next to yours, so don’t worry about it.”

Ariel’s low spirits lifted slightly. “Okay.”

After Freya left, Perry arrived.

Ariel hadn’t planned to talk to him, but that felt a little rude, so she asked, “Why aren’t you joining them?”

Perry had no idea how he ended up here either. After hesitating briefly, he said, “It’ll get cold tonight. Make sure to stay warm.”

“Got it.”

TI

She felt that Perry had been acting a little strange lately, but she couldn’t quite put a finger on it. He’d never bothered to talk to her and acted contemptuously and indifferently.

Perry could tell she didn’t have much to say to him, so he hesitated briefly before asking, “I saw on your social media that you were in the hospital. Are you feeling better now?”

Ariel blinked. It’d nearly been a month since then.

Back then, she’d desperately hoped Jayson would come with her, but he never showed up.

He hadn’t bothered with the updates on her social media feed. Perhaps, he might have never seen it at all.

Jayson wasn’t the first person to ask about her health; it was his friend.

“I’m fine now. Thanks for asking,” Ariel calmly replied as her fingers brushed over her flat lower abdomen.

A wave of quiet sorrow welled up in her chest.

The doctors had said it was complicated. There was a lower chance of recovery and a possibility of infertility.

She might pretend she didn’t care, but how could she not? Even if she did recover, she would never have a child of

her own.

Ariel said nothing more.