Chapter 195
THIRD PERSON’S POV
The river moved slowly under the night sky, carrying dozens of glowing lanterns with it. The soft lights drifted across the dark surface, reflecting gently. The whole thing created a peaceful dreamlike scene.
Sophia stood by the edge, watching her lantern as it floated farther away, slowly blending into the others.
Zade stood beside her. His eyes weren’t on the lanterns, but on her.
He watched the way her shoulders had finally relaxed. The tension that had followed her earlier seemed lighter now, though not completely gone. He didn’t say anything for a while. He simply stayed there, close enough to feel her presence.
For a moment, everything felt still. Then suddenly, Zade’s expression shifted.
He pressed a hand against his chest as he breathing heavily. His posture changed slightly. His body leaned forward just a bit.
Sophia noticed immediately.
“Zade?” she said, turning to him quickly. “What’s wrong p>
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he exhaled slowly, as if trying to manage the discomfort.
“It’s nothing,” he said, though his voice sounded lower, like he was in pain.
“That doesn’t look like nothing,” Sophia replied. Her expression was filled with concern. She stepped closer. Her attention was fully on him now. “Are you okay p>
Zade shook his head. His hand was still pressed against his chest. “Just… a sudden pain,” he said quietly. “It’ll pass p>
Sophia frowned. Her concern got worse.
“Since when do you get chest pain?” she asked.
He didn’t respond directly. Instead, he looked at her.
“Can you check?” he said.
Sophia blinked, caught off guard. “Check… what p>
“My heartbeat p>
Her face flushed slightly at his words.
“You’re serious right now?” she asked.
He didn’t answer. He just looked at her.
After a brief pause, Sophia let out a small breath and reached out. She gently placed her hand against his chest.
Zade felt it immediately.
Her touch was soft and it sent a jolt through him that had nothing to do with pain. His chest rose slightly under her hand, not because of discomfort, but because of something else entirely. Her touch set him on fire.
Zade wasn’t really in pain. He was faking it. He just wanted Sophia’s attention and to be closer to her.
“Your heartbeat is… normal,” Sophia said after a moment “It doesn’t feel irregular p>
Zade didn’t move. He didn’t even pretend anymore.
“Maybe it’s because you’re close,” he said quietly.
Sophia froze.
For a second, she didn’t move her hand. Then realization hit her, and she pulled back quickly. Her face heat up.
“You’re not serious,” she said.
Zade smirked “I am p>
She narrowed her eyes at him “You were pretending p>
“I didn’t say that p>
“You didn’t have to,” she shot back, crossing her arms. “That was obvious p>
Zade didn’t argue. Instead, he simply looked at her.
But before either of them could say anything else, footsteps approached from behind.
Sophia turned a bit. Her expression changed as she recognized the figures walking toward the riverside.
Damien and Tiffany.
The moment felt like it shattered.
Damien stopped when he saw them. His eyes landed on Sophia first, then shifted to Zade standing beside her. His expression changed immediately. Something complicated flashed across his face.
Tiffany followed his gaze and quickly noticed the same thing. Her eyes moved between Sophia and Zade.
“Oh,” she said softly. “What a coincidence p>
Sophia straightened a bit.
“Yeah,” she replied simply.
There was a brief silence.
Tiffany recovered quickly. She smiled again as she looked at the river. “It’s beautiful here,” she said “The lanterns… they look so peaceful p>
No one responded immediately.
Then Tiffany turned to Damien. “Should we release one too? It might be nice p>
Damien didn’t look at her right away. His eyes were still on Sophia.
For a moment, it felt like everything around them had disappeared. The sounds, the lights, the people – it all faded into the background.
Then he spoke.
“There’s nothing worth wishing for,” he said coldly.
The words were simple, but they carried weight.
Tiffany’s expression changed slightly, though she quickly tried to hide it. “You don’t mean that,” she said softly.
But Damien didn’t respond. His expression closed off again. The tension in the air grew more uncomfortable.
Zade watched everything quietly. His expression was calm but his eyes were intense.
After a moment, he turned his eyes and his attention shifted to something else entirely.
Not far away, one of his men stood discreetly at the edge of the crowd, waiting.
Zade didn’t make it obvious. He didn’t call attention to it. But with a small movement, he gave a signal.
The man nodded and disappeared into the crowd.
Back at the river, Sophia stood still. Her thoughts were messed up again. The peaceful moment from earlier had been broken.
“I think we should go,” she said quietly.
Zade looked at her for a moment, then nodded. “Alright p>
They turned to leave, walking away from the river without another word.
Behind them, Damien remained where he was. His expression was unreadable as he watched them go.
Tiffany stood beside him. Her hands were clasped together tightly. Her smile was gone.
Neither of them spoke.
Later that night, away from the crowd and the lights, Zade stood in a quiet space. His attention was focused on the two lanterns placed in front of him. They were carefully retrieved. One of his men handed him a phone.
“We got them,” he said quietly. “And we took pictures before they got damaged p>
Zade nodded. He took the phone and looked at the screen.
The first image appeared. It was Sophia’s lantern.
His eyes moved slowly over the words written on it.
For my family to be safe. For my career to grow. And… to meet the right person.
Zade’s eyes stayed fixed on the last line.
For a moment, he didn’t move. Then something changed in his expression.
He felt warm inside. He was pleased with what she wrote, especially the last line.
“She’s still hoping,” he murmured softly.
He looked at the words again, reading them again and again.
Then, slowly, a smile appeared on his lips.
“The right person,” he repeated quietly.
This time, there was something stronger behind his words.
He already knew who he wanted that to be.