The office on the 39th floor was thick with the acrid smell of smoke.

Xavier Fostern had been staying at the company for two days now. He sat in a large chair, staring out through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Outside lay the heart of the city—a bustling downtown in full bloom. The sun was just rising, and a thin morning mist draped all the buildings in a hazy shroud.

His long legs were stretched out carelessly. Between his slender fingers, a burnt-out cigarette dangled. He looked both languid and cold, his sharply defined face void of expression.

It seemed like a long time passed before sunlight finally spilled in, staining the office gold.

He tossed what was left of his cigarette into the ashtray, turned around, and pressed the button on his desk phone, summoning Henry Hart inside.

The office door quickly opened. Henry Hart appeared as meticulous as ever, gold-rimmed glasses sitting precisely on his nose.

"President Foster, what can I do for you?"

Xavier Fostern's handsome face was dark, his voice cold as he ordered, "Get those men who tried to kill Vivian Belle all those years ago out of prison."

Those men were under someone known as Uncle James—a local figure in the city. Back then, Vivian Belle's father had owed two million yuan in loan shark debts. He hadn't repaid a cent. All these years, while Vivian Belle hid overseas, they'd never found her.

Now, interest upon interest, that debt was far more than two million. Plus, because of Xavier Fostern’s influence, those men had been locked up for a few extra years.

If they were left inside, they'd probably never see the outside again.

But now they were being released. There was no need to spell out what that meant.

Henry Hart didn’t ask any questions, nodded, and quietly left the room.

*

Cecilia Ye had stayed at Mia Moore’s place for a week. She’d already settled on a new apartment, ticking one worry off her mind.

Over these past few days, she realized that life without Xavier Fostern wasn’t all that different.

There was still a quiet emptiness in her heart, but each day passed all the same.

Whenever she found herself down, she thought of her baby, and the ache would go away.

She didn’t bother with what was going on between Xavier Fostern and Vivian Belle.

They finally got what they wished for, didn’t they? Without her around, they could be as sweet and tangled up together as they wanted.

Whatever happened, it had nothing to do with her anymore.

The New Year was only five days away, and Cecilia Ye was worried her grandparents would be anxious if she didn’t go back.

She woke early, packed up a few things, and left her room.

“Cecilia, you’re up—I... I bought breakfast! Go ahead and eat something...”

Mia Moore, dressed in a snug yoga outfit, was twisting herself into pretzel shapes while following a yoga program on TV. She spoke in broken bursts, pausing between stretches.

Cecilia Ye couldn’t help but smile, as Mia Moore’s bubbly energy was infectious. Just seeing her every day put her in a better mood.

She sat at the table, picked up a sandwich, and ate it in small bites. “Yao Yao, I’m thinking of going back to the old house soon. With New Year coming up, if I don’t go back, Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers will worry.”

Mia Moore, with one leg still in midair, abruptly stopped her movement and hurried to turn off the TV.

“But... if you go back, won't you run into Xavier Fostern? Cecilia...”

Cecilia Ye handed her a glass of soy milk. Mia Moore took it and gulped down two big mouthfuls.

“It’s okay. I’ve thought it through. I'll spend the New Year with Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers, and after the holiday I’ll go to Clearwater Bay.”

Clearwater Bay was where Julian Jarvis's place was. Over the past few days, Julian Jarvis had made sure everything she needed was ready. Once the holiday was over, she could move in right away.

“All right, then.” Mia Moore pushed down her worries with a sigh. Cecilia always seemed so gentle and easygoing, but once she’d made up her mind, it was almost impossible to change—a streak of stubbornness a mile wide. Except when it came to Xavier Fostern, and then... well, she was hopeless.

Mia Moore finished her soy milk in one last gulp and set the glass on the table. “I’m going to take a quick shower. I’ll drive you over once I’m done, so wait for me!”

She poked Cecilia Ye on her nose, half-warning her not to leave by herself while she was gone.

“Okay, okay! Go on, don’t catch a chill!”

When Mia Moore was ready, the two of them drove to the old house together. Mia Moore nagged the whole way—worried Cecilia Ye would go soft again if she saw Xavier Fostern, worried she wouldn’t look after herself.

“I know, Yao Yao. Just focus on the road. I can handle it,” Cecilia Ye said, laughing off her concerns.

Once at the old house, Cecilia Ye got out and leaned in to say goodbye. Mia Moore, she noticed, was getting more and more talkative.

“Happy New Year, Yao Yao! I’ll see you in a few days.”

“Happy New Year! Miss me, okay? Go on inside—it’s freezing out here!”

Mia Moore waved as Cecilia Ye made her way to the door.

Aunt Whitney answered, thrilled to see Cecilia Ye, and hurried upstairs to call the old master and madam.

Cecilia Ye took off her scarf and coat, just as her grandparents came downstairs.

She gave them a bright smile and called out, “Grandpa Rivers, Grandma Rivers!”

Grandma Rivers rushed over to grab her hand, her eyes turning red with emotion. With a tremble in her voice, she scolded gently, “Why did you take so long to come home? And your hands are so cold—Aunt Xiao Yun, go get Cecilia a hot water bottle!”

Cecilia Ye felt her nose sting, hugging her grandma with a soft, "I'm fine, really. My hands aren’t cold."

Her grandfather stood behind grandma. Normally, it was only her grandmother who’d get teary every time Cecilia stayed away too long, but today, even grandpa seemed misty-eyed.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you two want me home? Why do you both look so sad now that I’m back?” she teased, pretending to pout.

Grandpa Rivers sighed and managed, “Good girl, as long as you’re back, that’s all that matters.”

Grandma Rivers asked Aunt Whitney to cook all of Cecilia Ye’s favorite dishes. By lunchtime, once they’d eaten, Cecilia Ye prepared to go upstairs and rest for a while.

She’d been feeling tired every day lately, always needing a nap at noon.

As she reached the stairs, she hesitated, turning back. “Grandpa Rivers, I want to tidy up the guest room on the second floor and stay there.”

Grandpa Rivers looked like he wanted to say something, but finally just waved her upstairs. “Go on and get some rest. I’ll have Aunt Whitney sort out the room. If Zhiyen comes home, he can take the guest room.”

“Okay.” Cecilia Ye didn’t say more. She was so tired that as long as she didn’t have to share a space with Xavier Fostern, it didn’t matter where she slept.

From the looks of things, Xavier Fostern hadn’t returned to the old house lately anyway.

She didn’t dwell on it. Upstairs, the room was still just as she remembered.

The last time she’d come home, it was for her birthday. That already felt like a lifetime ago.

She changed into some cozy loungewear and curled up in the soft bedding.

Gently, she stroked her stomach. “Good afternoon, baby,” she murmured, and soon drifted off to sleep.