Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 120336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
“I don’t even know if my father knows about this place. I assume he does, but. . .he never came here with us. . .”
It would have been interesting to know if Lei’s mother could have truly kept this place a secret from Leo.
Perhaps, she used this area to escape him too.
“Also, my mother would tell us stories here—fairy tales, myths, even ones she made up about us ruling over a world of peace. But my favorite part was my sister and I chasing all the fireflies. Yan always made it a competition.” Lei’s lips curved into a wistful smile. “Yan always tried to catch them, but she could never keep them in her hands for long. She hated that they slipped away.”
“And you?” I asked softly.
“I always caught them with no problem, but. . .I also always let them go. I liked watching them glow as they flew off.” His gaze met mine. “I think I liked the idea that they were free so. . .I never wanted to trap them to me.”
Those words settled over me, and I felt the beauty of their meaning.
Lei had never wanted to cage anything, not even the light.
Yet, here he was, holding me like I was his entire world.
I turned away, looked at his mother’s glowing garden. Slowly, I began to picture Lei as a kid with a younger Yan at his side and their mother strolling behind them as they raced around trying to catch fireflies.
And then, I let myself imagine something even crazier.
A day when I brought our own children here. A moment where our kids would be chasing fireflies too and filling the night air with their laughter.
The thought took root in my heart, delicate yet unshakable.
I had never truly let myself imagine a future like that before, but here, in this garden, it didn’t feel so far away.
It felt possible.
Inevitable.
Would our kids have Lei’s sharp eyes and strong willpower?
Would they carry my stubbornness, my quiet strength?
Would we tell them stories under the stars, just as his mother had done, about a world where they could be anything, do anything, love fiercely and fearlessly?
I glanced at Lei.
His profile was etched against the moonlit backdrop and my heart ached with a longing so profound it left me trembling.
I wanted that future with him, no matter how fleeting or uncertain it might be.
Lei’s right. He has to kill Leo tonight. And even though they didn’t give me guns, I’m still going to try and help in some way.
Lei spoke. “You’re the only one I’ve shared this place with. As many times as Duck, Hu, and Chen have been up on Mount Utopia, they don’t even know about it. I know this because when we have been on this mountain. . .sometimes I escape here and just sit for hours looking at the fireflies and the stars and the moon. . .and I just think of happier times.”
I gave him a sad smile. “And they never find you?”
“Never.”
“I bet that pisses Chen off.”
“It does. He hates that I’m able to disappear here. In fact. . .he has a secret team searching Mount Utopia to figure out the location.” He chuckled and then let out a long breath. “He’ll never know. The path is too narrow. The trees too thick. It almost doesn’t even look like a path at all.”
“Then, I’ll keep your secret.”
“You will. However. . .I don’t ever want you to not know where I am. I want you to always be able to find me.”
Aww, baby.
“Lei. . .thank you for bringing me here. Thank you for telling me how much you love me, because I damn sure love you. And thank you for sharing this place and part of you with me.”
His bottom lip quivered as if he was nervous.
He let out another long breath and let me go.
I blinked. “What’s wrong?”
“This place. . .it holds my happiest memories.” He stepped away from me.
“O-kay. . .”
“I wanted another happy memory here.”
Before I could respond, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.
My heart damn near stopped.
Lei sank down to one knee.
Oh my God. Don’t pass out. Don’t you fall out.
I steadied myself as much as I could.
The moonlight caught the sharp lines of his face, the hint of clear vulnerability in his gaze. He looked up at me, and the world stilled.
Oh shit. Oh shit.
“You’re officially the Mountain Mistress to the East.”
I could see the tension in his hands as he held the box and the way his fingers shook.
He cleared his throat. “And. . .I’m proud of you for earning that title, but you’re mine, Moni.”
I widened my eyes.
“You’ve always been mine from the first moment I saw you in that church to the moment I put those handcuffs on your wrist and the moment I took you on this mountain weeks ago and even when I showed you off to the East. You’ve always been mine. And now, I want you to officially be mine under the eyes of the law, of God, in every way that matters.” He opened the box, revealing a big ring that sparkled like the stars overhead.