“If they can’t secure your compliance, they’ll kill you!”

Arthur gazed at her quietly, his eyes full of deep affection and unwavering determination. “Tang, I won’t die, and neither will you. We will live long and grow old together. You have to trust me. While MI6 and the assassins from Country A are formidable, we are not fighting this alone.”

Tang Mi stared at him in astonishment. Not alone? What did he mean? “What do you plan to do?” she asked in confusion.

“Tomorrow, a fishing boat will take us to Canada. We’ll stay in a secluded fishing village for a few days. If all goes as planned, in four days, both MI6 and the assassins from Country A will cease their pursuit entirely and will never trouble us again. For now, the most critical thing is that we survive these next few days.” Arthur sat beside Tang Mi, wrapping his arm around her shoulders to prevent her from retreating further.

“Why would they stop pursuing us?” Tang Mi widened her eyes in disbelief.

She knew Arthur was strong-willed but never impulsive or reckless in his claims. If he said this, he must have a well-thought-out plan. But how could he possibly make two of the most powerful intelligence organizations obey him?

Arthur smiled faintly and turned to look out the window. A glimmer of light flickered in his dark green eyes, like a sharp ray piercing the dense darkness outside. “They underestimated the Solomon family’s power. Although Country A lost the geothermal development contract with Country Z, the Solomon family acquired a 35% stake in Country Z’s national airline. We plan to sign a procurement agreement with Country A for aircraft, ensuring that all aircraft orders from Country Z’s airline over the next five years will go to them. But the prerequisite is the cessation of all actions against you and me.”

“And MI6?” Tang Mi pressed, recalling her conversation with Caroline. Caroline had once said that her superior would never agree to let Arthur leave. The cold indifference Caroline displayed back then still sent chills down Tang Mi’s spine.

“Her superior will agree because Schumann has promised to fund his campaign for the presidency of Country H. However, these negotiations take time to finalize. That’s why we need to endure these critical few days. Tang, nothing can separate us except ourselves. Don’t make decisions on my behalf again, thinking you’re doing the right thing. Love is mutual.” Arthur pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly. His broad and warm chest shielded her from the pervasive cold.

Only then did Tang Mi fully realize her oversight. How could she have forgotten Arthur’s brother, Schumann? The seemingly gentle and shrewd restaurant owner was, in truth, the head of the Solomon family. As the uncrowned king of Western Europe’s shipping empire, how could he possibly stand by and watch his only brother face death alone?

After all, Schumann had sent Arthur to MI6 to protect him, not to imprison him in a cage.

Tang Mi lifted her head, just about to say something, but Arthur pressed a finger gently against her lips, silencing her. Then, he slipped something cool onto her finger. She looked down and saw it was the emerald ring. Her chest tightened with an overwhelming surge of emotion. She hadn’t forgotten that night in the small tavern when she had removed it with a heart-wrenching pain, carefully placing it in Arthur’s pocket. And now, it had returned, wrapping her finger once more with the same deep and fervent love it had carried from the beginning.

The rich green of the gemstone, as deep as the ocean, mirrored Arthur’s fiery yet tender gaze, piercing her heart. Her nose tingled as tears she had held back for days began to well up, layer by layer, threatening to spill over.

Arthur pressed his forehead against hers, his hands gently cradling her face. The slightly rough pads of his fingers wiped away her tears as he spoke in a low, pained voice: “Don’t take it off again. Every time you leave me, it’s so cold and absolute—whether in the jungle, in Country Z, or that small-town tavern. And every time, I’ve gone mad, circling the globe in desperation to find you. I’ve been frantic, lost, terrified that I’d lose you again. When I finally find you, I’m paralyzed with fear, dreading the moment you might disappear once more.

Please, don’t test my reason and courage anymore.”

Arthur gazed at the face that haunted his heart and soul. Tang Mi’s tears slid down his fingers, carving deep marks into his heart, leaving scars that could never fade. That light, weightless liquid resting on his fingertips bore an unbearable heaviness, pressing against his very soul.

He dared not speak the words buried deep in his heart, afraid they would frighten her—and perhaps also himself. “If I lose you again, I’ll break your wings of freedom, so you can never fly away from me again.” That was what he wanted to say, but he swallowed the words back down, the suppressed emotions knotting his chest with an aching restlessness. All he could do was kiss away her tears, allowing the salty, bitter taste to spread across his mouth.

Author’s Note: Dear readers, you asked for light, and there was light. You asked for tension, and here it is! Shower me with flowers, please! I’m feeling a little unhinged today~~