Ariana had the strength to live without Theodore. So, maintaining the peace, even if it was built on an illusion, felt right. This way, the Theodore in her memories remained hers, loving her unconditionally.

A sob escaped Ariana, her face hidden in her hands. Her voice was a mere whisper, filled with pain.

“I just miss him so, so much."

Every word she uttered only added to her guilt and heartache.

“Maybe I made a mistake. If I hadn't run for help that day, perhaps I'd be with him right now. We wouldn't be worlds apart," she said.

Mitchel, catching the weight of her words, responded gently but firmly, "Don't say that."

He drew her into a comforting embrace. "You need to clear your head.

The accident wasn't on you. Neither was seeking help. You've done so much, and you've got Melon to think about. Look ahead; life is teeming with potential. What you've weathered so far is commendable."

Meanwhile, at the Fredrick residence, Holden had just coaxed Adele to sleep when Sadie eagerly approached. “Holden, any thoughts on the wedding décor?"

Holden took a step back, his response icy. “Handle the wedding details yourself."

Sadie's expression soured. "It's our wedding, isn't it?" she retorted.

Holden's patience thinned. Handing her a card, he curtly replied, “You decide."

Then, he retreated to his study.

Upon entering and attempting to settle down, he immediately noticed the misplaced state of his phone. It had been on his desk earlier, but now it lay haphazardly on the couch.

Annoyance was etched on his face; nobody typically dared to meddle with his belongings. That was why he had never felt the need for a password.

A cursory check revealed no apparent alterations or breaches on his phone.

However, as he was lost in his thoughts, a new message lit up the screen. It was from Ariana.

"You up?"

Without hesitation, Holden tapped a quick response. "Yes. What's up?"

Ariana lay in a tight curl on her bed, eyes red from crying, fixated on her phone. She drafted message after message, only to delete them time and again.