"There''s something you want to discuss with me?"


    The mood in the car suddenly changed. Nichs felt a bit ttered-after all, he didn''t have much of a standing in Ariana''s life at the moment. "Yes."


    Nichs straightened up, his demeanor turning serious. "Go ahead."


    From his resolute posture, it seemed as though he would do anything Ariana asked-even give up his life if she demanded it.


    I looked deeply at Nichs, weighing my thoughts carefully before finally speaking my mind. "I want to adopt a child."


    Nichs''s stunned expression froze on his face. He didn''t expect me to say such a thing. But he quickly regained hisposure, responding in a calm tone.


    "Ari, we''ve been through a lottely. I don''t think now is the right time for you to decide to adopt a child.


    "It''s not just because you''re currently unfit to bear a child physically. It''s also because Tabitha doesn''t necessarily need another child as apanion for a healthy upbringing. I think you need to reconsider this idea."


    He paused before continuing, "Adopting a child means taking responsibility for their entire life. You have to ensure that you can provide the same love and care to them as you do to Tabitha.


    "Otherwise, growing up in an environment of favoritism can harm a child''s emotional and mental well-being..."


    Nichs wanted to say more, but I quickly interrupted him. "Nichs, it''s not what you think. Please, let me exin..."


    He opened his mouth but swallowed his words. "Go on."


    "It''s not because I can''t have children that I want to adopt one..."


    "Then why?"


    When I spoke again, my voice trembled with difficulty. "On the day The Secret fell apart, someone sacrificed themselves for me..."


    Nichs gently ced his hand on the top of my head, his eyes full of tenderness.


    "That wasn''t your fault. I know how much this means to you, and I''ve already sent someone to contact his family. While money can''t bring back a life, it can at least ensure those left behind livefortably."


    "Does he have any family left?"


    Nichs hesitated. "A rtive, but they seem fairly distant. When we asked his child, they said they''d never heard of them. "The child is still very young and needs someone to take care of them. I''ve already sent someone to bring the child back..." He suddenly paused. "You want to adopt this child, don''t you?"


    I nodded solemnly. "Neal told me before-he said he couldn''t die, didn''t dare to die, because he had a child to raise..." Grief filled my heart, and warm tears welled in my eyes. "He''s gone because of me. I''ll take care of his child.


    "I''ve carefully considered everything you said just now. I''ll raise this child as if they were my own. I can take good care of them!"


    I emphasized, "This isn''t about Tabitha. I just want to adopt this child to take his father''s ce and watch him grow up."


    Nichs sighed, pulling me into his


    embrace. "I''ve seen the child-he


    looks about five or six years old Though young, he seems mature for his age.


    "He takes after his father, with a determined look in his eyes. He''ll grow up to be a fine person.


    "Initially, I thought about assessing


    the rtive to see if they''d take


    proper care of him. If they were trustworthy, I nned to give them arge sum of money. But since there''s a better option, I''ll support your decision."


    I lifted my head from Nichs''s chest, looking at him with surprise and delight. "Do you really support my decision?" Lowering his gaze, Nichs looked at me and said, "Before I give you my approval, I need to ask you onest question..."