Charles Yin didn't get back until quite late.
Seeing Cecilia Gu already asleep, Charles's heart instantly softened.
Not wanting to wake Cecilia, Charles moved quietly and gently. After finishing his nighttime routine, he climbed into bed and carefully held Cecilia as he drifted off to sleep.
When the lights in Charles and Cecilia's room went out, Sylvia Ran, who was standing outside the window, suddenly broke down in tears.
Sean Kerr, standing nearby, sighed helplessly and said, "Sylvia, maybe you should let go. After all, Cecilia is already pregnant with a Yin family child. Even if you and Charles got back together, there would always be Cecilia between you."
Sylvia suddenly turned and threw herself into Sean Kerr's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "Sean, I get it, but I just can't! You know how much I loved Charles back then! Now I'm supposed to accept this ending—I just can't! Sean, what should I do? I really can't forget Charles, I really can't let him go! I can't live without him!"
Sean hadn't expected Sylvia to suddenly hug him, and was momentarily stunned.
But Sean didn't push Sylvia away. He just gently patted her back, comforting her over and over.
Rona Muir finished her nighttime routine and was about to close the curtains and go to sleep.
She looked up and saw Sean Kerr and Sylvia Ran standing outside the window.
Watching the two of them hugging, Rona Muir suddenly felt a strange discomfort in her heart.
Rona herself couldn't figure out why she felt so uneasy.
Sean Kerr is my boss. He can be close to whoever he wants—what does it have to do with me?
But just knowing that the person with Sean was Sylvia Ran made Rona feel uncomfortable no matter what.
Her fingers trembled as she yanked the curtains closed, blocking her view.
Forget it, whatever!
Boss has always sided with Sylvia Ran.
Well, they did grow up together as childhood friends.
Anyway, I'm totally committed to helping Cecilia!
Sylvia Ran is such a fake white lotus—she's never been my type!
Sean Kerr had no idea Rona Muir had witnessed all of this. When Sylvia Ran finally stopped crying, he said to her, "Sylvia, there's something I've always wanted to ask you, but you keep dodging it. Tonight, I really want to hear it from you—where have you been all these years? If you had given Charles even a hint, he never would have let you go! Back then, everyone supported you two being together. I truly wished you both the best, so why did you suddenly disappear without a word?"
A flash of panic crossed Sylvia's eyes. She suddenly pushed Sean away, turned around, and stammered, "Sean, please don't ask."
Sean pressed on, "Sylvia, is there something you can't talk about?"
Sylvia was stunned by the question, and her tears flowed even harder.
Seeing Sylvia like this, Sean was even more convinced she had her reasons.
Sean had always thought Charles and Sylvia were perfect for each other. Now, seeing Sylvia so devastated over Charles, he imagined all kinds of scenarios where she endured suffering for him.
"Sylvia, we've grown up together. Is there anything you can't trust me with?" Sean said seriously, "No matter what it is, I'll help you! Just tell me the truth—where have you been all these years?"
Sylvia struggled, biting her lip and crying for a while before finally looking relieved as she said, "Yes, I really did have my reasons! Sean, I loved Charles so much back then, how could I bear to leave him? The only reason I suddenly vanished was because... I was hurt, badly disfigured. I couldn't let that happen to me, so I secretly went abroad for reconstructive surgery. My injuries were so severe that I had to recover slowly. I knew Charles was desperately searching for me, but I was in the operating room and couldn't respond at all."
Sean was stunned.
"Besides, Charles is so perfect—how could I let my ruined body stay by his side?" Sylvia continued, "Sean, you have no idea how much I care about Charles. The more I care, the less I want him to know about my past. Sean, do you understand me? I love him so much—I can't live without him!"
Sean Kerr was convinced.
"Alright, since it's hard for you to say it, I'll do it!" Sean said firmly. "I know Charles truly cared about you. After you disappeared, he was like a lost soul, searching for you everywhere! So, I believe that if he finds out about this, he'll definitely take you back!"
Sylvia felt a wave of relief hearing Sean say that.
But she was still a bit uneasy, and deliberately said, "Oh, look at me, telling you all this! Charles is already resting, so maybe we should..."
"No, he needs to know. Leave it to me! It's late, you should go get some rest!" Without waiting for her to object, Sean ushered Sylvia away.
The moment Sylvia turned away, the tear stains on her face vanished.
A sly, triumphant smile flashed in her eyes.
Sean, after all these years, you still... trust me so much...
Since you're the one who wants to help me this time, how could I let down your deep affection?
Sylvia walked away with a spring in her step.
Sean stood there, carefully sorting through everything Sylvia had just said.
He felt that Sylvia deserved forgiveness!
Back then, Sylvia was so young and beautiful, cute and charming—of course she and Charles were a perfect match.
Her sudden disappearance years ago had a reason, and it was one he could forgive!
Cecilia is great too, but compared to Sylvia, Sean can't help but be biased!!
This line is irrelevant to the story and can be skipped.
He'd rather just give Cecilia a sum of money and have her give up her position as Mrs. Yin.
Sean knew it wasn't fair to Cecilia, but he still favored Sylvia.
In the end, Sean called Charles.
Charles was a light sleeper. The moment his phone lit up, he opened his eyes.
Sean Kerr's name popped up on the screen. Charles knew Sean wouldn't call at this hour unless it was urgent, so he answered, "Hello?"
"Is this a good time? I have something to talk to you about," Sean said, his voice slightly tense. "Charles, I need to discuss something with you in detail."
Charles hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, I'll head out right now."
Cecilia was sound asleep. Charles hesitated, then leaned down and kissed her before gently pulling his arm away and leaving the room.
As soon as Charles stepped outside, he saw Sean standing there, smoking.
The streetlight cast an inky shadow around Sean.
Charles could tell Sean was weighed down by something tonight.
Sean rarely smoked—only when he was feeling anxious.
"Sean, why aren't you sleeping at this hour?" Charles joked. "Even Joe isn't as energetic as you."
"Charles, there's something I need to tell you." Sean stubbed out his cigarette and looked at Charles seriously. "But first, I have a question for you."
Charles nodded. "Let's talk as we walk."
Sean nodded, and the two walked side by side.
Their tall figures walked together, gradually fading into the distance.
"So what's got you so anxious?" Charles smiled. "What, finally making a move on Rona Muir?"
Sean gave a bitter smile. "Charles, don't change the subject. Let me ask you—are you serious about Cecilia?"
Charles was taken aback, looking at Sean in confusion.
Of course he was serious.
Otherwise, why would he care so much about her feelings?
When had he, Charles Yin, ever cared so much about a woman's thoughts?
"If you're serious about Cecilia, then what about Sylvia?" Sean looked Charles in the eyes. "What I want to tell you tonight is about Sylvia. When she suddenly left you years ago, she had her reasons. Charles, you two never officially broke up, right?"
Charles dropped his joking manner and looked at Sean with a serious expression.
"I've always asked Sylvia why she left you so suddenly. She refused to tell me at first, but tonight she finally told me the truth. She was disfigured in an accident and didn't want you to see her like that. She was afraid of your questions, so she ran away to heal alone. She watched you search for her everywhere, saw you hit rock bottom, saw your family force you to take over the business, and watched you slowly come out of the darkness."
"She wanted to surprise you, but as soon as she returned to China, she was told you'd married someone else... Charles, Sylvia never stopped loving you. She's always loved you. I've watched you both grow up together. Charles, tell me honestly, haven't you always liked Sylvia? How long have you and Cecilia been together? Two months, right? Just two months, and you've already moved on? Does Sylvia really mean nothing to you?"
"Sylvia really cares about you and doesn't want to make things hard for you, so she stepped back and chose to watch you be happy as a friend. But will you really be happy? Can you really stay indifferent seeing Sylvia cry?" Sean sighed. "Charles, this isn't fair to Sylvia! She made mistakes, but she had her reasons. If she'd contacted you back then, her surgery wouldn't have stayed a secret!"
"Did she ask you to say all this to me?" Charles asked coldly.
"No, I wanted to tell you myself!" Sean said firmly. "Charles, why not give yourself a chance—and give Sylvia a chance too! Take a good look at your heart and figure out which woman you really love! You're only good to Cecilia because she's pregnant with your child. Two months—how could you have fallen in love with her so quickly? You're just being responsible!"