Chapter 18

Ten days later, the training institute opened for business.

Having finally found something to do, my dad insisted on setting off the firecrackers himself.

Ryan Stone and I just let him have his fun, standing outside the crowd and watching the excitement.

“When are you leaving?” Ryan Stone lowered his eyes and asked softly.

I shrugged. “The day after tomorrow. As long as nothing’s going on at school, I’ll go.”

“A new journey, a new beginning!”

Crack.

As my dad cheerfully proclaimed, the firecrackers exploded.

I instinctively shrank my neck and covered my ears.

Unexpectedly, another pair of hands covered mine.

Wrapping my hands completely, blocking out the noise.

For a moment, it felt as if everything around me had gone silent.

Only Ryan Stone stood at my side, just behind me.

My pounding heart, the roaring rush of blood in my ears.

And his blurry, indistinct whisper:

“Maybe… we… are beginning…”

I really didn’t catch it and looked up, wanting to ask clearly.

But as soon as I raised my eyes, I saw Julian Montgomery across the street.

A black Mercedes had stopped at the corner at some point.

Julian Montgomery, in a black wool coat, leaned against the car, quietly watching me through the crowd.

The hands by my ears instantly let go.

Ryan Stone obviously noticed Julian Montgomery too.

Instinctively, he reached out and shielded me behind him.

I lowered my gaze, smiled helplessly, and patted his arm:

“Looks like this opening ceremony today will be up to you and my dad to handle.”

“Go on, intrepid male host! The new journey begins!”

“I have something to take care of. I’ll be right back.”

Ryan Stone’s eyes trembled.

His fists slowly clenched, but in the end, he didn’t stop me.

He just pressed his lips together, watching me walk toward Julian Montgomery, his voice tinged with melancholy:

“But some things, just as they begin, are already about to end…”