Miles Sterling secretly went to see Vanessa Sterling, only watching from afar, without disturbing her.

Looking at Vanessa painting by the seaside, he remembered some things.

About that "sea disaster," the painstaking effort he took to drag Vanessa back into the abyss... 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Vanessa drove her car and fiercely crashed into him, that resolute determination to perish together...

He hadn’t recalled what he had done to Vanessa, but judging from her current attitude towards him, it seemed no matter how hard he tried now, Vanessa’s forgiveness was out of reach.

To Vanessa, his existence must simply be a disruption to her peaceful life.

Confirming Vanessa had started a new life in this city, Miles rarely came to disturb her anymore.

Only during leisure moments, when he really wanted to see her, would he impulsively run to this city to silently watch her.

Sometimes Vanessa sat by the seaside with her easel for an entire afternoon, and Miles would find a place nearby to sit and wait for her all afternoon.

Vanessa lived in this area for over half a month without making any friends.

She didn’t want to become a recluse, she just didn’t want any more upheaval in her life.

No more rights and wrongs, no need to please others considering their feelings.

A month later.

The wind was somewhat biting at the rainy seaside in early autumn.

Miles, holding an umbrella, searched along the shore but couldn’t find Vanessa’s figure.

He guessed it was because of the rain, so Vanessa didn’t go out.

He went to the hotel he used to stay at, which faced the house Vanessa rented, allowing him to observe Vanessa’s comings and goings from the window.

He waited from afternoon till nightfall, but didn’t see Vanessa’s silhouette.

After dinner, Miles couldn’t resist and went to the house’s landlord. Upon inquiry, he learned Vanessa had checked out and moved in the morning.

Miles felt somewhat surprised by this news, considering Vanessa had only been in the city for a short time.

Could it be that Vanessa discovered his traces and moved again to avoid him?

Thinking of this possibility, Miles found Vanessa’s next destination but didn’t follow her there.

Worried that Vanessa might face special situations alone without anyone to take care of her.

Miles contacted the owner of the B&B where Vanessa stayed, so he could at least know first-hand if anything happened.

However, the real reason for Vanessa’s move was merely due to changing weather.

She didn’t like cold and damp weather, so she opted for a city with sunny weather to enjoy herself.

Audrey Sutton and Laura Yates also kept in touch with her daily, and Vanessa often shared her experiences during her travels with them.

She just chose a new lifestyle, one she deemed comfortable.

She hadn’t changed her optimism, nor her pursuit of beautiful things.

...

The day before the trial, when Miles went to the company in the morning, he saw Gwen Grant in the lobby.

Compared to the last meeting, Gwen had changed greatly.

Pale and weary, thin to the point of losing her likeness, her overall condition didn’t seem good.

Seeing Miles appear, Gwen stood up and walked towards him.

Fearing Gwen might linger in the lobby, Miles brought her to his office.

Gwen stood in the room, surveyed the surroundings, and fixed her gaze on the landscape painting hanging on the wall.

If memory serves, that is Vanessa’s painting.

Miles casually tossed his coat onto the sofa and impatiently said to Gwen, "Say whatever you have to. If it’s to get me to withdraw the lawsuit, there’s no need to waste words here."

Gwen smiled weakly, withdrawing her gaze from the painting and said, in a faint voice, "I’m not here to plead with you, I want to get the divorce before the trial."