Awed, Liesel glanced at Elijah in surprise. Elijah smiled at her. “Firecrackers are meant to
scare away
beasts. Well, let’s say fireworks chase away fear. The fireworks are for you. To chase away the darkness, fear, and confusion, and bring you a new beginning.”
With one hand in his pocket, Elijah stood relaxed, and his usually mischievous expression was now softened, though whether it was from the fireworks or from her, Liesel couldn’t
tell.
She chuckled. “Elijah, saying things like that really doesn’t suit someone like you.”
Elijah raised an eyebrow as his gaze settled on her face. “Someone like me… Unscrupulous, perhaps?”
Liesel’s eyes crinkled with amusement as she turned back to the fireworks.
As the last firework faded, the horizon began to lighten. The sky turned a soft orange- yellow, and the clouds were outlined with golden edges.
In the peaceful stillness of the dawn, everything seemed so serene and beautiful.
Liesel’s heart skipped a small beat. She closed her eyes, and the rush of emotions washed over her, sweeping away the exhaustion and sorrow of the past.
When she opened her eyes again, the vulnerability and uncertainty were gone. They were replaced with a new depth. Sunlight grazed her face, casting shadows that seemed to highlight the strength in her eyes.
Just like Elijah said, this was a new beginning.
The two of them stood bathed in the soft morning light. The world around them faded as if
they existed in their own space, separate from everything else.
Jacob arrived just in time to witness this scene,
Liesel and Elijah stood beneath the remnants of fireworks, facing the future together and exchanging silent feelings under the warmth of the rising sun.
Jacob had thought she’d left with some random man. He hadn’t expected that man to be Elijah.
Only a short time ago, she’d been tangled with him in his bed. Now, she was with Elijah, in a place that seemed like they had planned all along to watch the fireworks and sunrise together.
He felt like a fool.
Jacob’s expression became sullen, while Natalie, who had followed closely behind him, glanced at the scene gloatingly.
“Liesel, I didn’t expect you’d be so eager to meet with Mr. Hardin to watch fireworks and the sunrise. Jake’s been worried sick looking for you.”
Natalie’s sharp voice broke the silence. It startled even the birds perched on a nearby tree.
Liesel turned around with a scowl. “Jacob, are you spying on me?”
