A pang of loneliness hit Annie York, but the thought of Chloe’s happiness made her happy too.

Watching the TV, the old woman suddenly asked, "Ann, do you have your phone with you?"

Annie York froze for a moment, then remembered what Chloe Reed had told her.

’If Grandma asks for the phone again, just give it to her.’

She nodded and took out her phone. "I do, Grandma. Do you want to call someone? Do you remember the number? I can dial it for you."

The old woman took the phone, pulled out her reading glasses, and put them on. Then, with trembling fingers, she keyed in a string of numbers.

However, she never pressed the call button.

Her fingers trembled the entire time.

Annie York watched this unfold, a strange feeling welling up inside her. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

The old woman’s expression was deeply moving, as if the person she was about to call was someone she both loved and hated.

After a long moment, the old woman gave up and handed the phone back to Annie York.

"I’m not calling."

She took off her reading glasses and went back to watching TV.

But Annie York could see the heavy cloud of loneliness that had settled over her.

She glanced at the number, which hadn’t been deleted. She decided to call it later to ask who, exactly, this person was to the old woman.

If possible, she could even arrange for them to visit.

Then the old woman wouldn’t have to be so lonely and sad.

...

Nathaniel Monroe hadn’t expected Walker Grant and Chloe Reed to visit.

He was visibly stunned to see them, but his surprise quickly melted into a wide smile. "Chloe," he greeted, "not too busy these days?"

"It’s been fine," Chloe Reed said gently. "How are you recovering?"

"I’m totally fine now!" Nathaniel declared, patting his body. "My appetite’s great, and I’m in tip-top shape!"

"That’s great to hear."

Chloe Reed watched him, a complicated emotion flickering in her eyes.

’I still remember the wedding,’ she thought. ’The emotions Nathaniel showed that day weren’t fake at all. He had genuinely wanted to marry Iris Yates. He’d made a huge gamble, and in the end, he’d still lost.’

Walker Grant said flatly, "Let’s begin."

Daniel Hayes stepped forward and extended a hand to Nathaniel. "Hey, man. We meet again."

Nathaniel shook his hand. "I’m definitely going to beat you this time!"

Daniel Hayes laughed heartily. "If you can, that’ll prove you’re really recovered and ready for anything!"

Nathaniel’s eyes were filled with determination. ’I have to do this!’

He spent every day longing to see Iris Yates. He had to bring her back!

’It’s been so long... Is Iris scared? She always acts so tough and carefree, but she’s actually easily frightened!’

Just thinking of her sent a sharp pang through Nathaniel’s heart.

’If I had known this was going to happen, I would have confessed to her sooner. I would have done anything, pestered her relentlessly until she agreed to be with me, until I was the only one she could see!’

Bitterness spread through Nathaniel’s heart, but his expression only grew more resolute.

The match began.

The two men stood opposite each other, their gazes locked, firm and blazing with intensity.

Chloe Reed sat on the sidelines, watching intently.

But she soon realized she had been far too naive.

The two men moved so fast their actions were a blur. Before she could even process what was happening, Nathaniel was already on the ground.

Daniel Hayes reached down, pulled Nathaniel to his feet, and said with a chuckle, "Hey man, you’re still a little weak. You’ve got more training to do."