Chapter 1376


    Ian didn''t respond, instead, he held Maja close like she was his favorite pillow, wrapping his arms


    snugly around her.


    In such a cozy embrace, Maja didn''t stir, even snuggled closer to find the perfect spot to rest.


    Patric was seething with anger, cradling his injured hand.


    "Ian, aren''t you going to ask anymore? Your brother clearly has other motives. He''s not over Maja—I


    can tell. Every time heys eyes on her, I can feel his emotions spike. And here you are, keeping a


    man who''s smitten with Maja right by your side, a man who''s her first love, no less. Don''t you get


    jealous? If I were you, I''d do everything in my power to make Eric vanish. As for me, Patric, I''m on your


    team."


    Ian remained silent, sensing Maja beginning to wake in his arms. He shot a nce at Patric.


    Oblivious, Patric kept fanning the mes.


    "Right, you agree with me, don''t you?"


    The next second, the bodyguard at the door stepped in and dragged Patric out.


    Maja was indeed awake. She nced outside; it was already afternoon.


    She was in a surprisingly good mood, thanks to Ian''s promise to introduce her to Dr. Phelps, and her


    aversion towards him had lessened.


    Later, Ian had even organized a fireworks disy on the rooftop.


    A candlelit dinner followed by fireworks, with the spectaclesting until midnight.


    Maja was emotionless, merely finding the fireworks beautiful.


    Resting her chin on her hands, she watched until the end, then felt drowsy.


    Ian caught her hand, and soon she felt something slip onto her finger.


    A ring.


    Startled, Ian didn''t get down on one knee or say anything more.


    It was just as the grand finale of the fireworks concluded that he slid the ring onto her finger.


    Maja wanted to take it off, but deep down, a part of her was pleased.


    "For me?"


    "Yeah."


    She examined the ring on her finger, wanting to say more but couldn''t.


    After a while, she managed to say, "It''s beautiful."


    Ian slowly lifted his hand, revealing a matching ring.


    "Maja, this is a proposal. We''re gonna have a wedding," he said.


    Maja nodded, then couldn''t help but ask, "So, when can I meet Dr. Herrington?"


    "Tomorrow."


    "For real?"


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    "Yeah."


    He fell silent, cutting the steak for her with a thoughtful look.


    After cutting it, he pushed the te towards her.


    "I fixed your phone. I''ll give it back to you tomorrow."


    Maja felt uneasy. She should be thrilled about meeting Dr. Herrington, but seeing Ian like this made her


    feel awful.


    It was an indescribable difort, like being trapped in a sealed jar, full of emotions she couldn''t


    express.


    She stared at the steak in front of her, appetite gone, but still picked up the fork, cut a piece, and held it


    up to his mouth.


    "Ian, aren''t you eating? You''ve barely touched anything."


    Ian chuckled and took a bite. "Maja, you still care about me, right?"


    Seeing him smile, Maja felt better.


    "I''m not sure. I recognize that something''s off with me. I remember everything you''ve told me, but the


    emotions aren''t the same. Sometimes I think maybe the old Maja did love you, but now, maybe I really


    don''t. The fireworks tonight were beautiful, but I didn''t feel that spark. I''m sorry, I''ve tried."


    She looked at the wine and steak in front of her and sighed with relief.


    "Saying all this, I feel a lot lighter. Maybe it''s just not love anymore. You can''t force these things, you


    know?"


    Ian just watched her, saying nothing.


    Maja fidgeted, her fingertips curling slightly.


    "So, I can''t ept this ring."


    She braced for an outburst, his gaze so deep she felt it could swallow her whole.


    But he didn''t react that way. He calmly took the ring back and slid it onto his smallest finger.


    "Alright."


    Maja''s heart felt like it had been pierced.