Tatiana changed into the oversized "dress" with excitement, spinning joyfully in front of the mirror. She


    found more happiness in it than in wearing any other fancy dresses.


    Suddenly, her phone rang, startling her.


    She tiptoed to the bedside, took the phone, and saw from the caller ID that it was L. Her heart raced,


    panic setting in.


    Eventually, concerned that L was worried about her, she chose to answer the call.


    "Taty, why aren''t you home? Where did you go?" L sounded very worried.


    "I-I''m fine, Mom. I''m doing alright."


    "Where are you now?"


    I am in Sna City with Sean."


    Tatiana mustered the courage and said, "I''m not going home, Mom. Sean is upset, so I want to stay


    with him."


    The conversationpsed into silence, making her feel ufortable.


    After a long while, L asked softly, "Are both of you staying at a hotel or Alyssa''s house in Sna


    City?"


    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    "No, Sean has a house in Sna City," Tatiana became softer as she spoke. Her face blushed.


    "So, I see you''ve made a decision. Are you prepared?"


    Tatiana was dumbfounded. Her eyes fluttered. "Huh?"


    "Sean is a good person. You are 22 now, an adult. I know I can''t stop you, even if I wanted to."


    "Mom, I..."


    L let out a long sigh. Her voice was gentle and didn''t show a hint of dissatisfaction toward her. She


    only sounded concerned. "Taty, you don''t need to exin to me. I''ve been there before. How would I


    not understand?


    "If you''ve decided to give yourself to Sean, I won''t stop you. But please take the necessary


    precautions. After all, both of you are not married yet. Even if you love this man, you have to protect


    yourself and draw boundaries.


    "But I do know how much Sean loves you. I''m sure he will take good care of you."


    Tatiana was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes. Her heart raced wildly, and her face blushed


    with embarrassment.


    Tatiana waited in the room for a while. But since Sean didn''te upstairs to find her, she went to look


    for him instead.


    Entering the kitchen, she heard the sound of water boiling. Sean had his tall back facing her, standing


    motionless by the stove. Despite calling him twice, there was no response.


    Barefoot, Tatiana ran to him and hugged him from behind. Softly and coyly, she asked, "Sean? What''s


    the matter? Did you zone out?"


    Sean''s body shuddered. He frantically wiped the tears at the corner of his eyes, but it was toote.


    Tatiana saw everything.


    "Sean, y-you''re crying?"


    "I''m fine." Sean lowered his head, avoiding her gaze. A teardrop slid from his jaw into the pot of milk.


    Tatiana moved to his side, cing both hands on his shoulders to make him look at her. Panicking and


    aching for him, she saw his damp face. Tenderly, she caressed his face.


    "What do you mean you''re fine? Your eyes are swollen! What''s the matter? Sean, don''t hide it from me.


    Don''t scare me!"


    Sean felt a heaviness in his chest, a pain akin to a dull knife cutting his heart. "I''m sorry, Taty. You''ve


    suffered so much today. I''m getting angry just thinking about it. The more I think about it, the more


    useless I feel."