"Did you really do nothing?" I smiled slightly. "Then, give our baby the grandest fireworks show."

Nicholas's eyes were red as he nodded. He immediately pulled out his phone and made the arrangements himself. The display was so grand that it overshadowed Pete's wedding, but wasn't able to enjoy it.

Back at the hotel, I was already running a fever. The fever came from an infection due to my injuries. It wasn't easy to get proper treatment abroad for something like this, so I was given a few pills and left to wait for my body to cool down on its own.

In the pitch-black room, Nicholas sat by the bed and watched over me. My mind drifted in and out of consciousness, but I could still hear the distant fireworks outside.

I heard Nicholas say, "Actually, those fireworks on your birthday were for you too, but you wanted to leave me back then... But it doesn't matter. Tonight's show is even more beautiful." He called out to me, "Ari, do you want me to help you up to take a look?"

I didn't even have the strength to shake my head. Half asleep, I drifted off again. It didn't matter to me. I just hoped our baby could see them.

A knock on the door interrupted the quiet. Beth stepped in and said, "Mr. Hawk, about tomorrow's return flight..."

Nicholas stroked my head gently, his eyes reflecting the flickering lights from outside. "We won't be able to leave tomorrow."

"Mr. Hawk, the hospital called about your father...

"I'll explain to him myself," he said, pausing for a moment as if something just crossed his mind. "What about Pete?"

Beth lowered her gaze, her voice steady and emotionless.

"They exchanged vows in front of the priest. They embraced and kissed for several seconds. The ceremony went smoothly."

Because of my illness, our return was delayed. Nicholas didn't spend all his time with me either.

He was busy as he had to deal with the mess left behind by his partnership with Annie. We couldn't make it back for New Year's with Daniel, so he arranged for Claudia to be sent home first.

Before she left, she deliberately sneaked into my room and woke me up. Her eyes gleamed with malice like a demon baring its fangs as she glared down at me.

Ever since she learned that Nicholas and I had never divorced, I could feel the hostility in her growing stronger. I didn't have the energy to deal with her.

She leaned in close and whispered in my ears, "Ariana, Pete's having a hard time now. I don't

know why Nicholas kept targeting him. Even I can't stand it. But Nicholas won't listen to me. "Please get better soon. Perhaps you can talk to him. After all, he practically watched Pete grow up. He wouldn't just ignore their brotherhood, right?'

I spent the rest of the night tossing and turning, trapped in nightmares. In the dream, Pete stood on the edge of a cliff, and Nicholas smiled at him from the front.

Each time Nicholas took a step forward, Pete retreated one step back. Pebbles tumbled off the cliffside.

I screamed, "No! Stop!"

But in the next instant, Pete fell backward, plummeting to the bottom. His body shattered upon impact, right before my eyes... (C) content.

Ijolted awake, grabbing the trash can by my bedside and throwing up. A large hand suddenly rested on my back.

Cold sweat drenched me as fear washed over my body. I trembled uncontrollably.

Why are you sweating so much?" Nicholas moved in front of me, wiping my face with a tissue. "Did you have a nightmare?"

I looked up at him, meeting his empty, hollow eyes.